Egress Window Well Code Requirements

Egress window and well requirements.

Egress window well code requirements.

On select wellcraft complete egress window well kits. Building codes in many areas require egress windows as a matter of home safety. The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened. Terracing our well eliminates the ladder requirement.

There you ll find details on building code requirements for basement windows for egress ventilation and natural daylight. Size 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. Basement egress windows have special requirements. Egress ladders and or steps are required on window wells deeper than 44 and.

The sill must be no higher than 44 inches from the ground. We have compiled many resources from states and local governments to give you a great starting point to find which irc building codes you should adhere by. Since you re below ground you have to make sure that the window can still fully open without obstruction. Taking its name from the act of departure an egress window is designed to provide an emergency means of leaving a dwelling.

The distance from the egress window to the back of the egress well must be at least 36 the minimum area of the egress well must be 9 square feet. Width x projection egress ladders and or steps. An egress window must open at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches high with a net clear open area of 5 7 feet square. The egress well must not interfere with the egress window fully opening.

This guide reviews egress window requirements for basements and upper floors as well as the different types of egress windows. R310 2 3 1 ladder and steps. 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. To ensure you install the right egress for your basement we ll break down the residential window well code requirements you ll need to abide by.

The primary rules for designing a window well are the code requirements for an egress window the bottom of an egress window well must be at least 3 x 3 ft the well can t interfere with opening the window and you have to provide a permanent ladder if the walls are more than 44 in. 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. Big savings on the exceptional line of wellcraft kits including the 2060 2062 6700 and the 5 section 5600. Egress window well code requirements.

Windows can be of various total size but their free areas when open must be at least 5 7 square feet.