Hi! So I live in a a shred house and with private bedrooms and I want a lock on my door for peace of mind, I had a chat with the manager of the house and we got a lock for my door
(A key deadbolt: aka on the outside it can be accessed with a key and on the inside its a nob that you can turn to lock and unlock)eg this kind https://www.amazon.ca/LOQRON-Cylinder-Deadbolt-Exterior-Entrance/dp/B0CS3BKTXB
And a city inspector came in and he mentioned to my manager that the lock we placed on my door was ILLEGAL even if my manager had a spare key to get in in case of emergencies.
Is it ILLEGAL? And if so then what kind of lock CAN i (collaborate with the managers/owners to get on my personal bedroom door?
ps: Its not on the public spaces or doors that lead outside - just my private bedroom- my roommate is also having this discussion and she doesnt understand either HELP!!!!
This might be more of a fire code thing - all rooms need access to egress and if your room has a window it might be one for the house.
I was thinking the same thing.
All bedrooms need a window as a fire escape….
My understanding is all bedrooms need two exits. Windows being the most common 2nd exit.
Unless there's a special City of Vancouver bylaw regarding this, the building code does not prohibit locks on bedroom doors within a unit. Even if they consider your bedroom door an "exit door" (which I don't believe it is), there's still an allowance for having locking hardware on it, as long as it's a simple, single operation to open (ie: can't have both a deadbolt AND a sliding lock mechanism). But again - bedroom doors within a residence typically aren't considered "exit doors".
Yes specifically adaptability, which Vancouver has swept into all dwelling units. All doors must not require a tight grasp or twisting action of the wrist. Hence why in all new construction, you don’t see knobs anymore. All latches.
Latches, terrible for security.
How are they worse for security?
Google “under the door tool”
I did a quick review and it was alarming, but...i didn't quite understand how it applies to doors with locks. I mean sure if the lock is part of the handle, but....mine arent...most arent?
A lot are.
What do you mean latches?
Lever handles
Yeah. As long as there is no key needed to exit, you are fine for bc building code. Unless your room is the secondary exit with a big window that others need to use?
Sprinklered buildings, eg highrise. one exit is okay. Other buildings everyone needs two exits.
Sorry you’re wrong. It’s up to the owners discretion not the tenants that’s renting a room…
In an emergency, they can simply break the window. It's not a sheet of metal. I'm confused with you.
Unless the window is too small, which happens.
A regular key door lock without a deadbolt should suffice. Also, you can't put any kind of locking device on the inside that can't be accessed from the outside.
It’s just not to code for fire. But damn why are they even inspecting ? I would ignore it
Why was the inspector there and on what grounds were they inspecting? Generally once a home is built and occupancy granted people are free to make modifications to their home UNLESS the work would require a building permit. So weather it’s part of building code or not is one thing (I’m honestly not sure but I’m pretty sure for bathrooms you can only have a lock that can be opened without a key so wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same for bedrooms). But perhaps the inspector was just making an offhand comment or speaking out of turn or speaking on something that is outside the scope of why he was there. So whether accurate or not his “comment” may not be enforceable. And even if it is enforceable no one may be intending to enforce it.
Homes built prior to 1956 require an inspection if they are for long term rental use. Vancouver has long term rental policies that require meeting modern building code and licensing in some cases.
These are people renting one room in the home and sharing the rest that does not apply. Sorry…
Perhaps misguided use of 9.9.6.7.(2) however it depends on what your shared house is designated as. As it reads: “Except for doors serving a single dwelling unit, and doors to accessory buildings to garages serving a single dwelling unit, door release hardware on doors in a means of egress shall be operable with one hand and the door shall be openable with not more than one releasing operations” Now if this is Vancouver where they have sweeping Adaptability requirements for all residential, another factor comes into play. 3.8.5.4 (1): “Doorways in adaptable dwelling units (in Vancouver that is a yes), shall have a) a clear width of at least 800mm, b) door opening hardware that does not require a tight grip or twisting action of the wrist and can be opened with a force of not more than 22 N,…” So questions are 1. Are you in Vancouver. 2. If not, maybe there is an argument, is the inspector considering this multiple suites in a house ie. not a single dwelling unit? That would be a weird interpretation. Also curious as to why an inspector is even there? Did the owner renovate?
It's a fire code. It needs to be one motion egress. This means with one movement you can leave the room. With the deadbolt you have two motions. One to unlock the deadbolt and the second is grabbing the door knob or lever and turning it to open the door.
Get rid of the deadbolt and cover the hole with a filler plate. Change out your door knob or lever to an entrance function lock.
I think it's a fire code issue.
I would just call the city and ask. They love helping people follow the rules. You dont need to give amy contact information or address.
Could be the type of doorknob. Round door knobs are illegal due to disability concerns. They need to be handle type not knob.
When the tenant locks their doors the house has to be registered a rooming house?
I'd ask for a code citation
Why would you think a public servant whose job it is to know the rules would lie about the rules
Renting a room in a shared space environment does not fall under normal landlord, tenant rules… it’s up to the owner’s discretion, whether you can put a lock on that door or not.. end of story
Did a city inspector actually come or “did a city inspector come” as a way of telling you some bullshit because they changed their minds. This doesn’t sound even remotely real. Call bylaws. They will know
Reading the comments… in other words get rid of the deadbolt replacing it with a push button from the inside lock like a normal bathroom door?
It’s illegal cause a window is a fire escape and it needs to be accessible at all times
So, your house catches on fire, and no one can get you out because there is no key available? It's illegal because it's a safety hazard. And i wouldn't be surprised if the owner was denied house insurance for allowing that lock on your door.
Not allowed, Vancouver bylaw states can only install levers type door knobs any other type is illegal. Look up on city website.
It doesn't pass fire code because ; If your bedroom has a windows, anybody in your common area (suite) needs to be able to access that window in case of a fire. Yes, there are other windows, but they could be blocked by the fire and the window in your room may be the only egress from the unit.