Egress Windows
Egress windows are windows that are designed to provide an exit in case of emergency situations.
They are usually required in basements with habitable space, as well as bedrooms on every floor, and are designed to be easily accessible to firemen and rescue teams.
All egress windows must comply with the International Regulation Code (IRC):
While the minimum width and height for an egress window are 20 and 24 inches respectively, a 20 by 24 inch window would only yield a net clear opening of 3.
3 sq ft; this is less than the required net clear opening in the IRC criteria.
To achieve a net clear opening of at least 5.
7 sq ft, a 20 inch wide window should be a minimum of 42 inches high, and a 42 inch high window should be at least 34 inches wide.
The IRC also has regulations to monitor window wells, which state that the window well must be spacious enough to allow the window to open fully with a minimum floor area of 9 sq ft.
If you live in an older home which was built before the IRC requirements were established, your egress windows may not meet the IRC regulations.
Homeowners also sometimes forget to add an egress window to meet IRC criteria if they convert an office or some other room to a bedroom or add a bedroom to a basement when remodeling their home.
If any your bedrooms is missing an egress window, you should look into having one installed as a safety precaution.
Since egress windows serve primarily as a means of escape, it is important not only to keep them free of any window treatments or objects that may hinder a person's escape, but also to avoid using complicated locks which can make them difficult to operate.
However, this does not mean that your egress windows have to be boring.
You can use any window style or design idea as long as it is in compliance with IRC criteria.
Contact a home improvement or window installation company to see how you can have an egress window installed in your home.
They are usually required in basements with habitable space, as well as bedrooms on every floor, and are designed to be easily accessible to firemen and rescue teams.
All egress windows must comply with the International Regulation Code (IRC):
- Minimum opening height of 24 inches
- Minimum opening width of 20 inches
- Minimum net clear opening of 5 sq ft for ground floors, and 5.
7 sq ft for other floors - Maximum still height above floor of 44 inches
While the minimum width and height for an egress window are 20 and 24 inches respectively, a 20 by 24 inch window would only yield a net clear opening of 3.
3 sq ft; this is less than the required net clear opening in the IRC criteria.
To achieve a net clear opening of at least 5.
7 sq ft, a 20 inch wide window should be a minimum of 42 inches high, and a 42 inch high window should be at least 34 inches wide.
The IRC also has regulations to monitor window wells, which state that the window well must be spacious enough to allow the window to open fully with a minimum floor area of 9 sq ft.
If you live in an older home which was built before the IRC requirements were established, your egress windows may not meet the IRC regulations.
Homeowners also sometimes forget to add an egress window to meet IRC criteria if they convert an office or some other room to a bedroom or add a bedroom to a basement when remodeling their home.
If any your bedrooms is missing an egress window, you should look into having one installed as a safety precaution.
Since egress windows serve primarily as a means of escape, it is important not only to keep them free of any window treatments or objects that may hinder a person's escape, but also to avoid using complicated locks which can make them difficult to operate.
However, this does not mean that your egress windows have to be boring.
You can use any window style or design idea as long as it is in compliance with IRC criteria.
Contact a home improvement or window installation company to see how you can have an egress window installed in your home.