Enclosing lanai

[Clams]

We have a contractor ready to enclose our lanai. We have a Laurel Oak 3/2 with 4 windows in the master, 2 different sizes, with the 2 larger windows facing the lanai which will no longer be egress once the lanai is enclosed. The 2 smaller windows now have to meet egress standards for Sumter County of 5 square feet or larger and they fall just short. Has anyone faced a similar situation? The contractor is checking to see if they make a different window that will fit the existing opening but what to do if they don’t?

[villagetinker]

My first thought would be to have a discussion with the Sumter County building inspector to see if they have any recommendations on options. my neighbor had a window removed and a door installed (similar to installing a larger window) and it was a messy project, no idea of the cost as it was part of a much bigger project. As I recall the lintel beam had to be replaced.
Have you considered enclosing a smaller area so that the escape window is not impacted?

[BrianL99]

We have a contractor ready to enclose our lanai. We have a Laurel Oak 3/2 with 4 windows in the master, 2 different sizes, with the 2 larger windows facing the lanai which will no longer be egress once the lanai is enclosed. The 2 smaller windows now have to meet egress standards for Sumter County of 5 square feet or larger and they fall just short. Has anyone faced a similar situation? The contractor is checking to see if they make a different window that will fit the existing opening but what to do if they don’t?

You should be dealing with the IBC, not merely Sumter Country regulations and if your contractor didn't notice this immediately when pricing the job, I would question his competency.

I don't build in FL, but IBC generally requires egress windows to be at least 5.7 square feet, 20 inches wide, and 24 inches high. The opening must be no more than 44 inches from the floor. If it's a 1st Floor, I believe the code is 5.0 sq. ft., with a minimum of 20" in width and 24" height.

You need to enlarge the opening.

[vintageogauge]

I believe the way to get around that is to leave that section of the lanai screen only with a hinged door leading to the outside as well as one going in and out of the glass enclosed area. It's like a separate screen room. Two of our neighbors had to do that, one was a Woodside and I can't remember the other model.