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What are Egress Windows?

08/27/2016 · HT023

Egress windows are installed in bedrooms or sleeping areas so that in case of emergency a person can exit or firemen can enter through the bedroom window. For this reason, there are specific requirements to keep in mind when adding a bedroom to a structure. 

 

According to the International Residential Code (IRC), egress window size requirements are as follows:

 

  • •  Minimum width of opening: 20 in.  
  • •  Minimum height of opening: 24 in.  
  • •  Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq. ft. (5.0 sq. ft. for ground floor)  
  • •  Maximum sill height above floor: 44 in.

These regulations are fairly new so if you have an older structure, or are converting a commercial structure to include living quarters, make sure you keep it up to code for your own safety.

 

These windows not only have to be of a certain size, they also come with other necessities in order to enable peak performance.

 

  • •  They must be operable from the inside without tools or keys.
  • •  You can still have bars or grills attached to an egress window, as long as they too can be     opened without tools and keys.
  • •  When these windows are ajar, they must have an opening wide enough to crawl through.
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