Egress Window Well Code Requirements

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.

Egress window well code requirements.

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. Big savings on the exceptional line of wellcraft kits including the 2060 2062 6700 and the 5 section 5600. Building codes in many areas require egress windows as a matter of home safety. Based upon your location in the united states your state county may have different requirements when it comes to basement egress and emergency escape codes.

When the sill height of an egress window is located below grade common for egress windows provided for a basement a window well must be provided. Egress window and well requirements. R310 2 3 1 ladder and steps. Egress ladders and or steps are required on window wells deeper than 44 and.

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. 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. The ladder or steps required by section r310 2 3 1 shall be permitted to encroach not more than 6 inches 152 mm into the required dimensions of the window well.

The sill must be no higher than 44 inches from the ground. Width x projection egress ladders and or steps. Egress window well code requirements. 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.

On select wellcraft complete egress window well kits. Terracing our well eliminates the ladder requirement. Basement egress windows have special requirements. The egress well must not interfere with the egress window fully opening.

There you ll find details on building code requirements for basement windows for egress ventilation and natural daylight. Since you re below ground you have to make sure that the window can still fully open without obstruction. Windows can be of various total size but their free areas when open must be at least 5 7 square feet. The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.

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.