5.02 Security Bars and Emergency Escape Rescue Windows

Reference: 2007 San Francisco Fire Code Section 1026

The following safety guidelines have been established by the San Francisco Fire Department's Bureau of Fire Prevention in order to provide information to the general public regarding the installation of bars, grills, gates, and similar devices on bedroom windows.
The Department of Building Inspection requires a permit for the installation of modification of security bars or to document existing security bars. The DBI information telephone number is (415) 558-6088.
Where security bars are installed on emergency egress and rescue windows or doors, on or after July 1, 2000, such devices shall comply with the standards of the 2007 California Building Standards Code, Part 12, Chapter 12-3 and other applicable provisions.
For security bars installed before July 1, 2000, they shall meet the standard for bars installed on or after July 1, 2000 or the following:
When bars, grills, gates or similar devices are installed or have been installed on sleeping room windows, they must be equipped with a releasing mechanism which is operable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. The releasing mechanism must be hand operated and approved by the Fire Department. The releasing device should be no higher than 48". Practical difficulties for compliance will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Foot pedal type releasing mechanisms are not acceptable.
The building must be equipped with smoke detectors installed in accordance with 2007 San Francisco Fire and Building Codes.
When a bedroom has more than one (1) window where safety bars are to be installed, at least one of these windows shall be operable. Security bars on this window are required to be equipped with the approved releasing mechanism.
The San Francisco Fire Department does not require an approved releasing device on the exterior side for use by the SFFD.