Should all Houston homes be required to be rebuilt with a "hurricane hatch"? (houses, housing)

[Lbjen]

Originally Posted by cBach

In hurricane Katrina, this was a big cause of loss of life. I think the Gulf states should standardize their codes. A storm doesn't respect city or state boundaries.

It was a big cause of loss of life during Katrina, mostly because people just didn't know better, this was the first time most people had even had to think about where to go. Many have also learned from it, as we saw on the morning that things got critical around here and they were telling people to get on the roof instead of hiding in the attic.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by cBach

How many burglars are going to climb to the roof and then try to pry open a solid steel door?

It also says it's waterproof in the literature.

16 ga steel door - could chop through it with cordless tools.. And yeah, skylights are supposed to be waterproof, but I wouldn't have one in my house.. I've seen too many leak..

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by Texascrude

If you want one, all the power to you. Please don't make me install one -- shouldn't be the governments job.

One of the issues though is that not having safety features puts a burden on rescuers and taxpayers.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by Vicman

One of the issues though is that not having safety features puts a burden on rescuers and taxpayers.

Except some of us see it as a death hatch not a safety feature.

[SugLandDAd]

This helps in single story homes....waste of time in a two story house that isn't in a flood prone area.....just adds another possible leak source on your roof.

[Milton Miteybad]

And when not being used as a conduit of escape during rising waters, it can double as a "burglar hatch."

Just think...with this rule, breaking and entering would be a thing of the past in Houston.

"No, Your Honor...I didn't break into the dwelling. I gained entry via the burglar hatch on the roof."

Heh, heh...heh, heh... .

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Milton Miteybad

And when not being used as a conduit of escape during rising waters, it can double as a "burglar hatch."

Just think...with this rule, breaking and entering would be a thing of the past in Houston.

"No, Your Honor...I didn't break into the dwelling. I gained entry via the burglar hatch on the roof."

Heh, heh...heh, heh... .

How many burglars are going to climb up to the stop of the 2nd story on a ladder to balance on the roof, then descend into the hot attic, then try to get the attic stairs down from the opposite direction?

Seems like a lot more work than simply breaking a door window and undoing the lock.

[mikeyyc]

While you're at it they should require inflatable canoes attached to the soffits of every house so that people can get away after using their Hurricane Hatch.

Stupid idea. Put a lock on the attic access, that's smarter. If water is that high, GTFO. Pretty simple, or go outside and climb on your roof, as it's at water level anyways.

[earthisle]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

16 ga steel door - could chop through it with cordless tools.. And yeah, skylights are supposed to be waterproof, but I wouldn't have one in my house.. I've seen too many leak..

You can chop through a roof with cordless tools, or windows, or walls...

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by cBach

How many burglars are going to climb up to the stop of the 2nd story on a ladder to balance on the roof, then descend into the hot attic, then try to get the attic stairs down from the opposite direction?

Seems like a lot more work than simply breaking a door window and undoing the lock.

And yet, burglars still try to enter through chimneys, often to their own demise.

The window is more likely to have an alarm sensor on it.