Second Means of Egress

(5/20/03) MA to consult with attorney regarding second means of egress and who should own fire escapes at lower level windows.

(6/17/03) Attorney said that QCT should be responsible for fire escapes... Each bedroom with bars on the window required by Mass. Building Code to have (keyless) egress through them… 6 units are affected by this work… MA to get new estimates (existing are outdated).

(9/17/04) 6 units @ $325-400/unit, budget this work for 2005 before painting of fire escapes…MA to confirm with owners who will get new window protection if they want to install new windows at that time.

(10/19/04) Switching on grilles on Jon Enos unit should be completed this fall with fence repair. MA to establish type of lock that iron worker would install on the 6 units in question and get a copy of relevant cut sheets from iron companies for Trustees to review to understand how revised grilles would be secured.

(11/16/04) All bedrooms need keyless escape. MA to get lock samples and/or specifications (will clevis pin or pull panel from interior work?)…

(2/15/05) MA to coordinate the completion of this work in Jon Enos’ unit only in March.

(4/25/05) MA acquired sketch of clevis pin, but MA to confirm its operation with contractor. MA to confirm what John Enos is requesting as QCT only pays for repairs to ensure that his unit is code complaint.

(7/11/05) Same.

(8/16/05) John Enos confirmed understanding that he will pay for modifications beyond repairs for code compliance.

(11/15/05) Still waiting on clevis pin sample.

(1/17/06) Giving up on Jones Ornamental. MA seeking quotes from another wrought-iron company.

(3/21/06) Roger Jones died, so definitely giving up on Jones Ornamental. MA is getting quotes from Santini Brothers company.

(4/18/06) Same.

(06/20/06) Appointment with Santini was canceled due to weather, and will be rescheduled. The new grilles/fire escapes will need to be inspected by the fire department when the work is complete because Sanitini are not certified.

(08/15/06) MA met with In & Out Metal to discuss window locks design. In & Out Metal were not satisfied with the pin sketches from Jones Ornametal, and will suggest their own solution.

(09/19/06) Nino’s Iron Works (who did our fence) will make a sample of the window locking system for $150.

(11/21/06) Iron Works wants to install the sample. MA to work with the owner of 107-23D who needs two pins.

(01/16/07) Iron Works has the go ahead to install the sample. MA to ask 107-23D owner to have the sample installed on one of his windows.

(02/12/07) John (107-23D) approved; scheduling the work with Nino’s IronWorks.

(04/17/07) The sample will be installed on Bryan’s window ($300 for the sample, $180 for the rest of the windows). IronWorks do not have to go inside the unit to do the work. QC is on the list—the work is to be scheduled.

(06/25/07) The sample window has been installed on Bryan’s unit’s bedroom window. Bryan was not happy with the sample, as it blocked most of the light coming through the window. DM, KL and YC looked at the sample, and had to agree with Bryan that the installation would block most of the light coming through the window. Need to discuss the issue at our next meeting.

(08/21/07) MA will look into an option where the entire window will be replaced with one that has and the bars with a proper release lock already built in. The replacement would only happen for one window per lower unit (bedroom window). MA also will call Back Bay Historical to see if they can recommend a supplier. MA also to check with Brookline Window and Harvey’s.

(09/24/07) MA spoke to William Young from Back Bay Historical, and will also contact Simon Construction (Brookline Windows) and Harvey’s. So far the only suggestion was to install the grids on the inside of the window. However, that will make the bedroom windows look inconsistent with the rest of the lower level windows. JJ to look at the sample installed over Bryan’s window.

(12/11/07) Trustees to look at 62-64-66 Queesberry for examples of the grids done by Nino’s.

(04/28/08) The board has approved a window grid. The work is currently out for bids.

(05/20/08) MA received a bid from Logan Grate to furnish and install 3 window grates with a push lock at $650 each. This bid only covers bedroom windows on the courtyard side. MA to ask for another bid to include grids for smaller windows on the front side of the building.

(06/24/08) MA met with Logan Grate again, and provided him with a photo of the kind of grid the board approved to be installed. The garden level unit windows facing Queensberry Street currently do not have any grates, while the ones facing Jersey St. do. MA to work with Logan Grate to get the cost estimate for grid replacement.

(07/15/08) MA to send notices out to all owners of garden level units who have grids on their windows, to ask the owners to mark their bedroom window. Logan Grate will then measure the windows without entering units, and will provide estimates for the grids.

(08/19/08) Window grid work is on hold until all window replacement and capping work is complete. 111-20A owner is concerned that it is a safety issue that the 111 laundry room window does not have a grid. (None of the ground level windows along Jersey Street have grids.) The board takes owner's request to add the grid on that window under advisory, but currently no action is planned.

(09/16/2008) The individual unit window replacement is complete, so MA has now spoke to Logan Grate about replacing the window grids. MA to put out a notice to all the units involved to ask them to put a piece of paper on their bedroom window, so that the workers know which grates to replace. Unit 111-23D owner requested to bump out their new grid so that it can fit an AC unit. The reason grids are being replaced is to bring the units up to fire code--to allow a second means of egress from the bedroom window. The board is concerned that if an AC unit is blocking the window, then there will be no second way out of the unit. MA to look into the fire code regulations about AC blocking the second means of egress window.

(11/18/2008) Still waiting for the final pricing from Logan Grate. MA expects that Logan Grate will not charge extra to replace the 111-2 grid. (See Window Replacement section for more details.)

(01/20/2009) Grates are finished but Logan grate needs access to units to install. Corrine will schedule.

(03/17/2009) Same.

(05/19/2009) Logan Grates began installation, but MA realized that a wrong type of grate was being used. Logan Grates will provide another sample for approval before installing.

(06/16/2009) Waiting on second sample for approval.

(08/18/2009) Samples have been delivered to Modica, and the board approves the samples. MA to call and schedule the installation.