It means that:
- It should have a minimum height of about 24 inches.
- It should have a width of about 20 inches.
- The top window sill height of the egress window should be at least 48 inches above the ground. ...
- It must be possible for a person to open the window from the inside without using any separate key, effort, special knowledge, or tool. ...
What is the minimum size required for an egress window?
The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5.7 square feet. The minimum egress window opening height is 24" high. The minimum egress window opening is 20" wide. The egress window must have a glass area of not less than 8% of the total floor area of room (s) for which it is servicing, to allow the minimum amount of sufficient natural light. *
What is the difference between single and double hung?
- Condition of your current window frames
- Number of windows needed
- Special features (energy efficient, double- or triple-pane, aesthetic options)
- Style of window (casement and awning; bay and bow; sliding windows; and single or double-hung windows
How to choose between double hung vs. casement window?
Which Window Style Should I Choose?
- Light Infiltration. Both double-hung and casement windows allow plenty of light into your home, but if you’re looking for extra light infiltration, casement windows are the best option for ...
- Air Ventilation. Your windows should let breezes into your home when they’re open—and keep the air outside when they’re closed.
- Placement. ...
- Maintenance. ...
- Cost. ...
- Size. ...
What size window meets egress?
Therefore let us recap on the residential emergency escape and rescue opening requirements:
- Minimum 5.7 square feet of net clear opening area. ...
- Minimum 24 inches of net clear height opening.
- Minimum 20 inches of net clear width opening.
- Maximum 44 inches to window sill measured from finished floor.
- Window wells serving an egress window shall not be less than 9 square feet in area with a horizontal length/width of no less than 36 inches.
Can double-hung windows be used for egress?
Double-Hung Windows They can be used as egress windows, but even when they're fully open, more than half of their overall area is blocked by glass. That said, their overall height must be close to four feet nine inches to meet the requirements.
What size window is required for egress?
In order to meet baseline requirements, egress windows must meet the following standards: Minimum width of opening: 20 in. Minimum height of opening: 24 in. Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq.
What is the smallest egress window allowed?
5.7 square feetBasement 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. The minimum egress window opening is 20" wide.
What is the minimum size for a basement egress window?
5.7 square feetAccording to the International Residential Code, basement windows must have: An opening width of at least 20 inches. An opening height of at least 24 inches. A net clear opening of at least 821 square inches—or 5.7 square feet.
Can top hung windows be fire escape?
FAKRO escape windows are available in both top hung and side hung operation, with the minimum size for top hung being 78x118cm and for side hung being 66x78cm.
How big does a bedroom window have to be?
According to the International Residential Code, a bedroom window can be between 24 and 44 inches from the floor, it needs at least 5.7 square feet for the opening, and it must measure no less than 24 inches high and 20 inches wide (R310. 1).
Do I need a header for an egress 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.
Does every bedroom need a fire escape window?
Every habitable room must have a fire egress window, unless there is other means of escape. ie: by direct access to another room with means of escape.
Does a casement window meet 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.
Do I need egress window in basement if I have a walkout?
If you have a walkout basement you will be all set. If you do not have a walkout basement then you will be required to put in an egress window. An important note: whether you have a walkout basement or not, if you are going to call one of your new rooms a “bedroom” you must have an egress window in that room.
Can you finish a basement without an egress window?
In most cases, the answer is yes. A finished basement project must incorporate an Egress window if any portion of the space will be used as a bedroom, or if you are creating another habitable space (a family room, for example) that does not already have an Egress window or a door.
What makes a basement room a bedroom?
Legality. It isn't illegal to have a bedroom in the basement. You have all the right to put one in or convert your basement into one as long as you respect the building code requirements. Any room that has a closet or is attached to a bathroom is considered a bedroom.
Casement Egress Window Sizes
Casement windows are one of the most popular options when it comes to a basement egress window. A casement window is hinged on one side and, when opened, provides a much larger net clear opening than with any other window style (see the picture below to see why).
Sliding Egress Window Sizes
Sliding windows are the second most popular basement egress option behind casements. Horizontal sliding windows open from side to side and are typically longer horizontally than vertically. Horizontal sliders have a smaller percentage of net clear opening compared to the total size of the window opening than a casement.
Double Hung Egress Window Sizes
Double hung windows are also a popular basement egress window option. Double hungs are more vertical than horizontal in terms of their shape and have an upper and lower sash that can be opened independently of one another.
Single Hung Egress Window Sizes
Single hung windows have a single lower sash that can be opened vertically in much the same way as the lower sash of a double hung window. Similarly to a double hung window, the single hung provides approximately 45% net clear opening compared to the total window size. Building code requires a single hung up he 3 feet wide by 5 feet in height.
How many inches should an egress window be?
If an egress window is located under a deck or porch, inspectors and firefighters want at least 36 in. between the top of the window well and the bottom of the deck or porch joists; they much prefer 60 in.
What is the purpose of egress window in bedroom?
Few of us think of bedroom windows as lifesaving equipment— but they are! When you need to escape a house fire or other disaster, or when rescue personnel need to enter—the right size egress window can make the difference between life and death. Note: You can download Figure A and enlarge it in the Additional Information section below.
What is a casement window?
Casement windows: These side-hinged windows fulfill egress requirements while taking up the smallest amount of wall space. This makes them ideal for egress windows in basements or other areas where space is limited. Some manufacturers can install a special operator arm that allows the window to open wider than the standard bedroom window size operating arm to meet egress requirements. Others have an operator arm that can be pushed to open the window wider in an emergency. These meet egress requirements as long as you leave the “PUSH HERE” label in place.
What is the old saying about egress windows?
These all-important escape hatches are called egress windows.
How wide should a net clear opening be for a bedroom window?
Ground-floor bedroom windows only need a net clear opening of 5 sq. ft.; they can be smaller because a rescue ladder doesn’t take up part of the opening. The opening height must be at least 24 in., and the opening width must be at least 20 in. The bottom of the clear opening must be within 44 in. of the floor.
How big of a window do you need for a fire alarm?
It must have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft. Net clear opening refers to the actual free and clear space that exists when the window is open. It is not the rough opening size or the glass panel size or any other size, but the actual opening a person can crawl through. Code officials want the opening large enough so firefighters can comfortably crawl through the window in full protective gear with an air tank on their back. Ground-floor bedroom windows only need a net clear opening of 5 sq. ft.; they can be smaller because a rescue ladder doesn’t take up part of the opening.
How many sq ft is a window?
Note that a window opening that’s the bare minimum of 24 in. high and 20 in. wide does not meet egress requirements, since its net clear opening is only 3.33 sq. ft. A window has to be taller and/or wider than these minimums to meet the 5.7-sq.-ft.-opening requirement.
What is the minimum size of an egress window?
To meet code, the open area of an egress window must have a minimum width of 20 inches and a minimum height of 24 inches, plus the opening must be a minimum of 5.7 square feet. Secondly, what is the minimum window size for egress?
How to calculate egress window height?
Subtract 28" from dimension A to get the minimum required height of the Egress Window Well.
What is an Egress Window?
Have you ever applied for a window permit to change out your old outdated windows with new energy efficient windows for your home only to find out that some of the windows don’t meet the window egress requirements?
How many inches to a window sill?
Maximum 44 inches to window sill measured from finished floor. Window wells serving an egress window shall not be less than 9 square feet in area with a horizontal length/width of no less than 36 inches. Window wells greater than 44 inches in depth requires a permanently fixed ladder or steps to provide access.
How far from the wall should a ladder be from a window well?
The inside width of a ladder serving a window well shall not be less than 12 inches and must project no less than 3 inches from the wall. Vertical spacing of the rungs shall not be more than 18 inches on center.
How high should a window be above the floor?
Also note that if a window is being used to meet the egress requirements, in addition to the above, the sill height of the window shall not be more than 44 inches above the finished floor.
How far apart should rungs be?
Vertical spacing of the rungs shall not be more than 18 inches on center.
How deep is a window well?
If the depth of the window well is greater than 44 inches, a ladder or steps are to be provided and permanently fixed to provide access and by no means are allowed to encroach within the required window well dimensions by more than 6 inches.
How many square feet are window wells?
The area of a window well shall not be less than 9 square feet with a horizontal length/width of no less than 36 inches. This is to ensure that there will be a sufficient amount of space to allow occupants to escape or for fire fighters to enter.
Sliding Window
Sliding windows are a very popular window type used for egress where the panes of glass slide along a track at the top and bottom of the window frame.
Single Hung Window
Single hung windows are a type of vertically sliding window where the bottom pane of glass slides up, creating an opening in the bottom portion of the frame.
Double Hung Window
Double hung windows are another type of window used for egress. The difference between double hung and single hung windows, is that both the top and bottom panes of a double hung window can be moved, creating openings at either the top or bottom of the frame.
Out Swinging Casement
Out swinging casement egress windows are a type of side-hinged window used for egress where the sash swings outward from the house .
In Swinging Casement
What we call the side hinge egress window, is the same idea as an in swinging casement style. As the name suggests, it is a type of window used for egress that is hinged on the side and swings inwards.
Awning Window
Awning windows are out-swinging, top-hinged windows that, when open, resemble the awning to a building.
Reverse Hopper Window
The reverse hopper window is a top-hinged window where the operating sash swings in towards your home.
