WINDOW EGRESS/RESCUE OPENING EGRESS CODE REQUIREMENTS
egress code fire escape building codes
window escape egress rules
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The following applies, in most jurisdictions,
to one and two family dwellings. Check with your local building inspector and/or code
enforcement official and/or fire Marshall to make certain that the chosen window/door
complies with your local, state, regional and national interpretation of the building
codes. We always recommend requesting written answers to your written questions asked of
building and code enforcement officials. The following text is excerpted from the
International Residential Building Code™ (IRC-2000).
fire egress opening escape codes
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THE WORD FROM "THE BOOK"
EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE
OPENINGS: SECTION: R 310.1
Habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape
and rescue window or exterior door opening functioning as an operable emergency escape and
rescue opening. Where openings are provided as a means of escape and rescue, each shall
have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor. Where a door opening having
a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue
opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply
with Section R310.3. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be
obtained by the normal operation of the window or door opening from the inside. Escape and
rescue window openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation
shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2. |
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MINIMUM OPENING AREA:
SECTION: R 310.1.1
All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7
square feet (0.530 m2). For example, 820.8 square inches, or at the minimum, 20"
wide by 41.1" high, or 34.2" tall by 24" high.
EXCEPTION: Grade floor
openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet (0.465 m2).
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MINIMUM OPENING HEIGHT: R
310.1.2
The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches
(610 MM). |
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MINIMUM OPENING WIDTH: R
310.1.3
The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches
(508 mm). |
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OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS: R
310.1.4
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room
without the use of keys or tools. |
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WINDOW WELLS: SECTION: R310.2
Window wells required for emergency escape and rescue shall have horizontal dimensions
that allow the door or window of the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully
opened. The horizontal dimensions of the window well shall provide a minimum net clear
area of (9) sq. ft. (0.84 m2) with a minimum horizontal projection and width of
36 inches (914 mm).
EXCEPTION: The ladder or
steps required by SECTION R 310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches
(152 mm) into the required dimensions of the window well.
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LADDER AND STEPS: SECTION: R
310.2.1
Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) below the adjacent
ground level shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the
window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be
required to comply with Sections R314 and R315. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside
width of at least 12 inches (305 mm), shall project at least 3 inches (76 mm) from the
wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center vertically for the
full height of the window well. |
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BULKHEAD ENCLOSURES: SECTION:
R 310.3
Bulkhead enclosures shall provide direct access to the basement. The bulkhead enclosure
with the door panels in the fully open position shall provide the minimum net clear
opening required by Section R 310.1.1. Bulkhead enclosures shall also comply with Section
R 314.9. |
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BARS, GRILLS, COVERS, AND
SCREENS: SECTION: R 310.3
Bars, grills, covers, screens or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency
escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclosures, or window wells that serve such openings,
provided the minimum net clear opening size complies with Sections R 310.1.1 to R 310.1.3,
and such devices shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a
key, tool or force greater than that which is required for normal operation of the escape
and rescue opening. |
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NATURAL LIGHT (in the
case of a sub-grade window)
If top well is below line of window line. Figure the vertical square area of window
exposure and add that amount to the surface area to determine total light area. |
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ADA Design Requirements for Accessible Egress
ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG)
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DISCLAIMER: The foregoing is presented as copied from the quoted named code.
It may be outdated. You must check with your local building official. We recommend
building components that meet IRC-2000 Egress Code. Check with your local building
inspector and/or code enforcement official and/or fire Marshall to make certain that the
chosen window/door complies with the local, state, regional and national interpretation of
the applicable building codes. We always recommend requesting written answers to your
written questions asked of building and code enforcement officials.
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