emergency exit windows in motorhomes

Clay L wrote:
I don't think it is a Federal law requiring one. I suspect it is an RIAA requirement though and if your rig has a RIAA tag on it (and I believe Tiffin rigs do or should) You should have an emergency exit.

Remember. this unit is used and is 11 years old. The original escape window may have been replaced by previous owner/s. Below is Tiffins reply. Doug


I am being told it is a law to have one for the rear of the coach or one that is large enough to get out through it. This model usually had one designated on the driver side in the bedroom and had the option for one in the rear cap. Some of these had pull straps that released it and the glass could be pushed out and once used, it had to be replaced

Thanks to everyone for their help

A couple of links to get you closer: http://www.rvia.org/?ESID=Standards

It seems to come under National Fire Protection Assoc. standard 1192, but the "free access" instructions on their site lost me. So I was unable to read the specifics. http://www.nfpa.org/freeaccess

Not to hijack the post, but because of fear of being trapped in the rear bedroom, I always purchased and installed a large ABC type fire extinguisher in all our RV rear bedrooms. Just an added measure of safety.

Ray

You could also keep a ladder handy that hooks over the window frame. A RV fire is very toxic with deadly fumes and an RV goes up in seconds. I certainly wouldn't worry about breaking a leg. I'd get out as fast as I could.

Neither of the windows in our bedroom have any handles or straps, which unfortunately we did not notice before we purchased it. Is it legal for a licensed dealer to sell an RV without the emergency exit windows?

If the windows slide open and are wide enough they are escape windows.
Owner must either jump or provide a rope ladder to go down.

Pogoil.

nadia wrote:
Neither of the windows in our bedroom have any handles or straps, which unfortunately we did not notice before we purchased it. Is it legal for a licensed dealer to sell an RV without the emergency exit windows?

1. WHY did you think of this AFTER the purchase
2. WHY did you not think of this BEFORE the purchase?
3. What made you think of this?
4. The unit is 11 years old. Unless you can find such a law, why would a USED RV or even a Automobile be required to meet ANY type standards 11 years and multiple owners that have owned the RV. Being a licensed dealer has no bearing on this type problem. He is selling used RV's.
5. Since it IS a Tiffin, I would contac Tiffin and see if they would give you an escape window and you would be responsible for the labor to install it.
6. Last, since YOU now own the unit, and you decide to sell or trade it in, are YOU not now responsible for making sure there IS an escape window????????? At your expense? If there was a fire or such and since you now know there should be a escape window, would YOU not be responsible/liable for any harm that happened to someone? Why do you not go after the previous owner that may have removed the escape window. THAT owner would have as much responsibility as YOU now have. Doug

dougrainer -- 1, 2 & 3 -- We assumed that it had an emergency escape because both of the other used units we had purchased had them. The first night we went camping in this unit we noticed it did not have the red handles that were suppose to be there. We were ready to go to bed and my husband was going to check how to use the escape window.
4. We do realize it is 11 years old, and that is why we are asking questions, because we did not know if they should have had one in the unit.
5. We have contacted Tiffin, and i am going to contact them again.
6. We will have an emergency escape in the unit before we sell it. We DONOT want anyone to get hurt. Nadia

so after reading these posts there is a window in the bedroom but because it does not have the RED handles that's the issue. If there is a window does it open? If yes then there is your emergency escape, push open and jump out. Haven't seen any MH with ladders and such that deploy.