All,
I think that "windowless apartments" have been allowed since BOCA 1990, or earlier, but there are two big kickers that make them impractical. As noted below, an emergency egress is needed, which is not a very practical replacement for an actual operable window, and just as important, there must be a mechanical ventilation system providing outside fresh air. This mechanical system is expensive to install and more expensive to operate year round.
For me the biggest fear is not that middle income people will suddenly have to move into apartments without windows, but that this option in the code could allow exploitation of lower income families and immigrants, that the mechanical ventilation systems will not be maintained, and there will be little inspection. I am not a housing expert and do not know to what extent this option has been pursued, but hope that it is a small percent.
As to why this discussion is within the Historic Resource forum - good question. I think the original entry had to do with an historic property in which some units would have no windows because the floor plan / foot print left a lot of interior space, which is unfortunate.
Thanks
Sherman
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Sherman Aronson AIA
BLT Architects
Philadelphia PA
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