The minimum egress window opening height is 24 high. Wmgb home improvement shares the important things you should know. Egress window logic and the building code.
basement egress window requirements basement egress window code requirements
This handout also has some nice diagrams which ive copied below.
Basement egress window requirements. Given the math involved some homeowners may expect the dimensions to be the toughest part of installing a window well. In addition the egress window requirements for basements specifies that they be at least 36 inches in height and width with a fully functioning opening. Whats an egress window. The maximum distance between egress points is 200 feet from each other.
Basements used for occupancy require that no areas used for occupancy be greater than 75 feet away from an exit. These special basement windows meet the current irc code for building a finished basement so you have peace of mind in the event of a fire or accident. However especially with a professional on your side achieving. This is to ensure that there will be a sufficient amount of space to allow occupants to escape or for fire fighters to enter.
If theres a deck or porch above the basement window well at least 36 of headroom is needed. If a window is more than 44 inches from the ground a ladder or steps at least 12 inches wide must be present. To ensure you install the right egress for your basement well break down the residential window well code requirements youll need to abide by. The minimum opening area of the egress window is 57 square feet.
The minimum egress window opening is 20 wide. Window wells must be at least 3 x 3 and they must allow the window to open fully. Since youre below ground you have to make sure that the window can still fully open without obstruction. All of these rooms are required to have a means of egress.
The horizontal area of the window well needs to be a minimum of nine square feet with a minimum horizontal projection and vertical width of 36 inches. The city of bloomington has a nice handout on egress requirements explaining these requirements. Make sure the basement window well has enough area to move around in and if the well is especially deep make sure you have a ladder attached to it for an easy getaway. The old saying always leave yourself an out is especially true when it comes to home fires.
Set exit points so that no two points have more than 150 feet of travel space from any point in the basement to the exit. If the window well is more than 44 deep it needs a ladder. Basement egress window requirements. The area of a window well shall not be less than 9 square feet with a horizontal lengthwidth of no less than 36 inches.
When the sill height of an egress window is located below grade common for egress windows provided for a basement a window well must be provided. Egress window well code requirements. The bottom of the egress window opening cant exceed 44 from the finished floor. Basement egress windows have special requirements.
When the basement stairs are blocked by a flaming television true story or fire and thick black smoke are racing down a hallway toward a dead end bedroom windows that are large enough for you to escapeand for firefighters to enterbecome. Welcome to your one stop location for the widest selection of egress windows for finished basements. Basement egress windows in lansing mi can benefit your home in many ways.
