Measure from the basement floor, to the maximum code specified height of the bottom of the window. Then from there, to grade level. If the second measurement is greater than 46″, you’ll need a deeper well. The well usually will sit a few inches or more below the window.

What is the minimum dimension in all directions for an egress window?

For determining egress window sizes and placement, the International Building Code advises that every bedroom must contain at least one egress window. It must be at least 5.7 square feet, 20 inches wide by 24 inches high, with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor.

How are egress windows measured?





Egress Window Size – How to Measure:

  1. Measure from the maximum grade level (ground level) down to the floor level of the basement. …
  2. Subtract 28″ from dimension A to get the minimum required height of the Egress Window Well.

Do I need a header for a basement window?

You do need a header. Its size will be predicated on the width of your house, though, so you haven’t provided sufficient information to answer your question.

What is the smallest egress window allowed?

5.7 square feet

Basement Egress Window Requirements
The bottom of the egress window opening can’t exceed 44″ from the finished floor. The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5.7 square feet. The minimum egress window opening height is 24″ high.

How are window wells measured?





Measure the Window Well for a Cover

Measure the width of the window well at both the front and back, where it touches the house. Note the widest width. Then measure from the side of the house to the outside edge of the window well in at least two places.

Can casement windows be used for egress?

Casement windows—with hinged sashes that swing free and clear of the opening—can be relatively small and still meet egress requirements. This makes them ideal for basement egress and for other areas where space is limited. The overall size of this “smallest” egress casement window is 8 sq. ft.

How many square inches is an egress window?

820.8 square inches



Note: Egress window minimum net clear openings are: 5.7 total square feet (820.8 square inches) or 5 square feet (720 square inches) at grade level). All egress windows require a minimum 24-inch height, 20-inch width and maximum sill height of 44-inches above floor.

What size window well do I need?

9 square feet

Window Well: In order to exit your home from a basement window, or to accommodate rescue personnel, your egress window well needs to be large enough to admit a person of any size. In order to meet IRC requirements, it must provide 9 square feet of ‘floor area.

Do egress windows need to be tempered?



window size. (2) 2nd and 3rd floor windows must have a clear opening area of at least 5.7 sq. ft. (3) Glass within 36” of the walking surface of a stair as well as glass 3′ horizontally from the top of the stair and 5′ from the bottom of the stair must be tempered.

Does every bedroom need a fire escape window?

To meet current Building Regulations for new build, all habitable rooms should have a means of escape: – Ground floor rooms need a fire escape window/door or direct access to a hallway leading directly to a fire escape window/door. – First floor rooms, not more than 4.5m above ground level, need a fire escape window.

What does egress window look like?

An egress window looks just like a regular large window, but opens fully to allow a building’s inhabitants to escape in the event of an emergency, such as a house fire. Egress windows are required in all finished basements before they can be legally converted into a living space.

Can an egress window be in a bathroom?

Bathrooms are not regulated by egress regulations unless they are used as bedrooms. Egress regulations pertain to sleeping areas or any room that may be used as or perceived by inspectors as a bedroom.

Can the egress for a bedroom be in a closet?



This code of ethics binds the agent to the same bedroom definition inferred by the national and local building code requirements on that space, including having two means of egress. In the real estate world, a space can be considered a bedroom if it has a door that can be closed, a window, and a closet.

What is the minimum size of a fire escape window?

An opening that is required for means of escape should have a clear unobstructed opening area of 0.33 m² and a minimum width or height of 450mm. For example, if a width of 450 mm is proposed then the height should be at least 733 mm in order to give the area of 0.33 m².

Can a bedroom exit through a bathroom?

An exit access shall not pass through a room that can be locked to prevent egress. Means of egress from dwelling units or sleeping areas shall not lead through other sleeping areas, toilet rooms or bathrooms. Egress shall not pass through kitchens, storage rooms, closets or spaces used for similar purposes.

What is a dead end corridor?

A dead-end corridor has an exit in only one direction. For life safety (for example, to escape during a fire) corridors should have exit access from both directions. You can avoid dead-end corridors altogether with correct space planning.

What is an intervening space?



Intervening Spaces is a dialogic-themed volume that brings together a cross-disciplinary examination of the interconnectedness between bodies, time and space. The title is suggestive of the oscillating and at times political impact that occurs when bodies and space engage in non-conventional ways.

What is an incidental use area?

In NFPA 101, incidental refers to “minor” uses that are accessory to and/or support the predominant occupancy and do not warrant their own occupancy classification. This concept in the IBC is known as accessory occupancies. In the IBC, the term incidental uses refers to what NFPA 101 calls hazardous areas.

What is occupancy load factor?

The occupant load factor is the maximum floor area allowed per occupant as displayed in Table 1004.1. 2. Table 1004.1. 2 displays the occupant load factor based on the function or use of a space or room. The occupant load factor is based on function.

What is an accessory occupancy?

Accessory occupancies are those occupancies that are ancillary to the main occupancy of the building or portion thereof. Accessory occupancies shall comply with the provisions of Sections 508.2.