# Should I be honest with my enighbors about a potential fire hazard? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 6, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116 "2018-03-06T15:17:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/1 "2018-03-06T15:17:22Z")
My neighbors are Asian immigrants and have recently moved their parents from their home country, to the US, and now they are staying with them. To make room my neighbor is building a bedroom and bathroom for them in his basement. Now that is all and good but I am nervous to point out to him that the room he is building is a fire trap down there. Only one way to get out and that is up the basement stairs and then thru the garage. No windows. Should I tell him? I’m thinking I should discuss some precautions like fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/2 "2018-03-06T15:25:10Z")
Aren’t his building works subject to building regulations? ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/3 "2018-03-06T15:34:21Z")
Yes, you should tell him. Try to be helpful and non-judgmental so you can get through to him. He doesn’t want his family to burn to death in a fire either. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are a good start but in my area, he really needs a second egress. If you were a great neighbor, you would help him dig out a window box and cut through the concrete so he can install one. I’m not that good a neighbor. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/4 "2018-03-06T15:40:15Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Now that is all and good but I am nervous to point out to him that the room he is building is a fire trap down there. Only one way to get out and that is up the basement stairs and then thru the garage. No windows. Why do you assume he doesn’t realize this but is willing to take the risk? (that would be my assumption) ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/5 "2018-03-06T15:41:50Z")
Is the Asian background relevant? What would you say to a white neighbor who was finishing his basement into a livable space? ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/6 "2018-03-06T15:52:10Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Aren’t his building works subject to building regulations? Yes, but it’s hard for code violations to be enforced if the city inspector has no idea it’s happening. > [@kayaker](#): > > Why do you assume he doesn’t realize this but is willing to take the risk? (that would be my assumption) Between “is unaware of the danger” and “is aware and accepts the risk”, I think the former is far more likely when it comes to fire safety. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/7 "2018-03-06T15:53:29Z")
Since the OP is looking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/8 "2018-03-06T15:55:45Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Is the Asian background relevant? What would you say to a white neighbor who was finishing his basement into a livable space? Asian countries (and other developing countries) often have less stringent fire and safety codes than the US. A recent immigrant from an Asian country might not be as aware of these issues as a US resident. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/9 "2018-03-06T16:01:43Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Asian countries (and other developing countries) often have less stringent fire and safety codes than the US. A recent immigrant from an Asian country might not be as aware of these issues as a US resident. Thats about it. He is used to different housing standards. And yes, I would tell a white neighbor. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/10 "2018-03-06T16:05:58Z")
> [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#): > > Yes, you should tell him. Try to be helpful and non-judgmental so you can get through to him. He doesn’t want his family to burn to death in a fire either. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are a good start but in my area, he really needs a second egress. > > If you were a great neighbor, you would help him dig out a window box and cut through the concrete so he can install one. I’m not that good a neighbor. I like the idea of a window box as a second exit. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/11 "2018-03-06T16:08:35Z")
In my village, the fire department visits each house every few years and they ask about heating equipment, smoke and monoxide detectors, and sometimes they ask to see the main breaker box. Also, municipal employees visit each house about once every 10 years, to assess changes in property value. If you have these kinds on inspections in your area, I guess you could warn your neighbours that the FD probably won’t approve when they come around. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/12 "2018-03-06T16:10:47Z")
> [@Heracles](#): > > In my village, the fire department visits each house every few years and they ask about heating equipment, smoke and monoxide detectors, and sometimes they ask to see the main breaker box. Also, municipal employees visit each house about once every 10 years, to assess changes in property value. > > If you have these kinds on inspections in your area, I guess you could warn your neighbours that the FD probably won’t approve when they come around. Those dont happen in our area and not in any place in the US as far as I know. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/13 "2018-03-06T16:15:02Z")
Look how nice [this one](https://www.familyhandyman.com/basement/how-to-install-a-terraced-window-well-in-your-basement/view-all/) is - it would be a fire egress as well as letting light adn the feeling of the outdoors, in. StG ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/14 "2018-03-06T16:17:13Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Those dont happen in our area and not in any place in the US as far as I know. My step-father used to work for the Oakland, CA FD doing inspections. They would inspect private homes, and could require the homeowner’s compliance. StG ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/15 "2018-03-06T18:10:19Z")
Many locales in the US have periodic inspections for tax assessment. Here in my county in Ohio it is every five years. But it is just a drive-by looking for a new garage, fence, etc. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/16 "2018-03-06T18:23:22Z")
Code requires an Egress Window. They are sold many places and require cutting into the basement foundation. > **[Egress Window Requirements & Installation Tips | HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/egress-windows-requirements-installation/)** > > Egress is literally defined as "a path out" or "to emerge," and these terms directly apply to the design principles behind egress windows. That creates another problem. Water leaks. You just cut a hole in a wall below grade. That can be a major PITA to keep dry. Many, many home owners quietly remodel basements themselves without permits. Saving money. Otherwise they couldn’t afford to get the work done at all. That’s just a stark financial reality. I don’t see a problem if it’s a spare bedroom for a family member. Rental property is different. That absolutely should have an egress exit. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/17 "2018-03-06T18:29:52Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Code requires an Egress Window. They are sold many places and require cutting into the basement foundation. > [Egress Window Requirements & Installation Tips | HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/egress-windows-requirements-installation/) > That creates another problem. Water leaks. You just cut a hole in a wall below grade. That can be a major PITA to keep dry. > > Many, many home owners quietly remodel basements themselves without permits. Saving money. Otherwise they couldn’t afford to get the work done at all. That’s just a stark financial reality. > > I don’t see a problem if it’s a spare bedroom for a family member. > > Rental property is different. That absolutely should have an egress exit. I like that egress. Thanks for the link. ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/18 "2018-03-06T20:34:45Z")
Just to give you some numbers for you and your neighbor: Mid-sized U.S. city, we did not need to pull permit. Dug hole myself Googled concrete cutter - 2 bids for $600 - came out and finished the next day Lowe’s ordered 48" x 48" x 48" (sheet metal egress (corrugated)) for $249 -this was the true brilliant move as the size which is required for the egress as well as the shininess allow SO MUCH LIGHT into the basement that it is almost like a sunroof for the room Hammer drill rental $30 and $10 for the screws to mount and treated lumber to for the window buck Vinyl egress rated window with crank and screen (40"x36")- local hardware store for $320 Trim and paint - $10? 10 bags of river rock at Lowe’s for well - $30 So right at $1500, but now I can claim a legal 4th bedroom! so another 10-20k in asking price when selling. ANd all steps other than the concrete cutting are easy DIY projects with lots of youtube instructions. #Edits: 1. remember that egress is not sized for escape but ratther for a firefighter to get in. Make the box BIG and you won’t regret it. 2. I cannot advocate teh corregated metal highly enough for the ease, simplicity, and everyone who sees it says that it is way cleaner look than concrete or wood. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/19 "2018-03-07T00:15:15Z")
IANA lawyer, building inspector, or any other relevant professional, but I think that in Ohio, you don’t need a permit for work you’re doing on your own dwelling. You really _should_ get one, but you’re allowed to skip it, and if you do, there won’t be any inspection of your work. You might have an easier time pitching it to your neighbor as a quality of life issue. Won’t his parents be so much happier with a window, so they can get some sunlight and hear the birds outside, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116/20 "2018-03-07T00:50:22Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Look how nice [this one](https://www.familyhandyman.com/basement/how-to-install-a-terraced-window-well-in-your-basement/view-all/) is - it would be a fire egress as well as letting light adn the feeling of the outdoors, in. > > StG Okay, that is really a good idea. I’m just gonna highlight that for anyone else poking into the thread. Basically you dig out a few terraced steps, up from the basement window, and landscape each level. If the sun angle etc. is juuuuust right, you could reach out the basement window and pluck a fresh strawberry. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-honest-with-my-enighbors-about-a-potential-fire-hazard/810116.md?page=2)