Egress Window For Attic Bedroom

Attics that meet the size and ceiling height criteria of the habitable attic definition in chapter 2 are considered habitable.

Egress window for attic bedroom.

Since the staircase to the attic can act as a chimney for the fire to quickly spread it s necessary to have a secondary point of egress or exit. Minimum 24 inches of net clear height opening. The base of the well can be no more than 44 inches above the bedroom floor. When installed in a basement egress windows are often paired with an egress well and attached ladder or steps for easy escape.

The 2009 and 2015 irc verbiage is similar and still applicable. Please be aware of the definition and egress requirements of a habitable attic as it relates to dwellings built from the 2012 irc. In addition the egress window requirements for basements specifies that they be at least 36 inches in height and width. To qualify a basement window as an egress you may also have to install window wells to enlarge windows and allow access.

If the sill is below ground the window itself will need larger dimensions 9 square feet. Wide does not meet egress requirements since its net clear opening is only 3 33 sq. For determining egress window sizes and placement the international building code holds that every bedroom must contain. Egress windows are usually required when finishing a basement or attic.

A window has to be taller and or wider than these minimums to meet the 5 7 sq ft opening requirement. In most codes this means an opening not fixed window to the outside. Ibc 1029 1 requires sleeping rooms below the 4th story to have emergency escape and rescue openings. Irc r310 1 requires all sleeping rooms to have emergency escape and rescue openings however i think the irc is limited to 3 story residences.

Basement egress windows must also include window. Have an egress point attics are the worst place to be in a fire because heat and fire rise rapidly. 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. Maximum 44 inches to window sill measured from finished floor.

Minimum 20 inches of net clear width opening. V 2500 series white vinyl right handed sliding window with fiberglass mesh screen. Note that a window opening that s the bare minimum of 24 in. High and 20 in.