Attic Egress Window Requirements

Egress laws that call for at least one window in these rooms typically require the following.

Attic egress window requirements.

The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5 7 square feet. Basement egress windows have special requirements. The minimum egress window opening height is 24 high. Vertical access can be a fixed internal stair ramp or exterior stair.

A fixed stair or ramp is required on an attic that meets the habitable attic criteria unless a door directly to the exterior is installed in the space. Have a minimum opening height of at least 24 inches. The minimum egress window opening is 20 wide. The windowsill cannot be more than 44 inches off the floor.

This would imply that some egress windows are expected to be more than 15 or 20 ft. The window must open a minimum width of 20 inches. 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. Have an egress point.

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. Having said that there are some broad standards dictated by the international residential code irc. Since you re below ground you have to make sure that the window can still fully open without obstruction. Have a minimum opening width of at least 20 inches.

Window wells greater than 44 inches in depth requires a permanently fixed ladder or steps to provide access. Have a minimum net opening area of at least 5 7 square feet. Permanent ladder or steps cannot encroach the required window well dimensions by more than 6 inches. Attics are the worst place to be in a fire because heat and fire rise rapidly.

Attic egress openings must. The window must open a minimum height of 24 inches. In general the means of egress shall not narrow in the direction of travel. It states that all egress windows must have a minimum width of 20 inches a minimum height of 24 inches minimum clearing of 5 7 square feet when opened and maximum sill height of 44 inches from the floor.

Habitable attics require a vertical access and emergency escape and rescue opening. 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. The clear opening must add up to 5 7 square feet. Stipulations placed on the exit discharge include a minimum width 44 inches or the width of the exit clear ceiling heights 8 feet and a prescribed slope of 1 12 or less.