Egress Window Building Codes

Ohio Residential Code

1029.1 General.

In addition to the means of egress required by this chapter, provisions shall be made for emergency escape and rescue in Group R and I-1 occupancies. Basements and sleeping rooms below the fourth story above grade plane shall have at least one exterior emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with this section. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Such openings shall open directly into a public way or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

Exceptions:

1. In other than Group R-3 occupancies, buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

2. In other than Group R-3 occupancies, sleeping rooms provided with a door to a fire-resistance-rated corridor having access to two remote exits in opposite directions.

3. The emergency escape and rescue opening is permitted to open onto a balcony within an atrium in accordance with the requirements of Section 404, provided the balcony provides access to an exit and the dwelling unit or sleeping unit has a means of egress that is not open to the atrium.

4. Basements with a ceiling height of less than 80 inches (2032 mm) shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue windows.

5. High-rise buildings in accordance with Section 403.

6. Emergency escape and rescue openings are not required from basements or sleeping rooms that have an exit door or exit access door that opens directly into a public way or to a yard, court or exterior exit balcony that opens to a public way.

7. Basements without habitable spaces and having no more than 200 square feet (18.6 m2) in floor area shall not be required to have emergency escape windows.

1029.2 Minimum size. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.53 m2). Exception:The minimum net clear opening for emergency escape and rescue grade-floor openings shall be 5 square feet (0.46 m2).

1029.2.1 Minimum dimensions. The minimum net clear opening height dimension shall be 24 inches (610 mm). The minimum net clear opening width dimension shall be 20 inches (508 mm). The net clear opening dimensions shall be the result of normal operation of the opening.

1029.3 Maximum height from floor. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have the bottom of the clear opening not greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) measured from the floor.

1029.4 Operational constraints. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools. Bars, grilles, grates or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings provided the minimum net clear opening size complies with Section 1029.2 and such devices shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool or force greater than that which is required for normal operation of the escape and rescue opening. Where such bars, grilles, grates or similar devices are installed in existing buildings, smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with Section 907.2.11 regardless of the valuation of the alteration.

1029.5 Window wells. An emergency escape and rescue opening with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground level shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Sections 1029.5.1 and 1029.5.2.

1029.5.1 Minimum size. The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 square feet (0.84 m2), with a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 mm). The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.

1029.5.2 Ladders or steps. Window wells with a vertical depth of more than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall be equipped with an approved permanently affixed ladder or steps. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches (305 mm), shall project at least 3 inches (76 mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center (o.c.) vertically for the full height of the window well. The ladder or steps shall not encroach into the required dimensions of the window well by more than 6 inches (152 mm). The ladder or steps shall not be obstructed by the emergency escape and rescue opening. Ladders or steps required by this section are exempt from the stairway requirements of Section 1009.

Replaces: 4101:1-10-01

Effective: 11/01/2011

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/01/2016

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3781.10(A)

Rule Amplifies: 3781.10, 3781.11, 3791.04

Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/94, 7/1/95, 2/1/96, 3/1/98, 1/1/02, 3/1/05, 9/6/05, 7/1/07, 11/1/07

International Residential Code

R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required.

Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

Exception: Storm shelters and basements used only to house mechanical equipment not exceeding a total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m2).

Because so many fire deaths occur as a result of occupants being asleep in a residential building during a fire, the code requires that all basements, habitable attics and sleeping rooms have windows or doors that may be used for emergency escape or rescue. The requirement for emergency escape and rescue openings in sleeping rooms exists because a fire will usually have spread before the occupants are aware of the problem, and the normal exit channels may be blocked. The requirement for basements and habitable attics exists because they are so often used as sleeping rooms. A fire in a mechanical room adjacent to a stairway could engulf the only means of egress for the basement without the egress window or door.

Openings required for emergency escape or rescue must be located on the exterior of the building so that rescue can be performed from the exterior and so that occupants may escape through that opening to the exterior of the building without having to travel through the building itself. Therefore, where openings are required, they should open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court. After the occupants pass through the emergency escape and rescue opening, their continued egress is essential. Where a basement contains sleeping rooms and a habitable space, an emergency escape and rescue opening is required in each sleeping room, but is not required in adjoining areas of the basement.

There is an exception for storm shelters and basements used only to house mechanical equipment with a total floor area not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m2).

The dimensions prescribed in the code for emergency escape and rescue openings in Sections R310.2 through R310.2.2, and as illustrated in Commentary Figure R310.2.1, are based, in part, on extensive testing by the San Diego Building and Fire Departments to determine the proper relationships of the height and width of window openings to adequately serve for both rescue and escape. The minimum of 20 inches (508 mm) for the width is based on two criteria: the width necessary to place a ladder within the window opening and the width necessary to admit a fire fighter with full rescue equipment, including a breathing apparatus. The minimum 24-inch (610 mm) height is based on the minimum size necessary to admit a fire fighter with full rescue equipment. By requiring a minimum net clear opening size of at least 5.7 square feet (0.53 m2), the code provides for an opening of adequate dimensions. To be accessible from the interior of the sleeping room, attic or basement, Section R310.2.2 requires that the emergency escape and rescue opening be located not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. The measurement is to be taken from the floor to the bottom of the clear opening.

Section R310.1.1 requires that the required opening dimensions be achieved by the normal operation of the window, door or hatch from the inside without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge. Section R310.1.1 also allows window opening control devices to be used on windows that serve as required emergency escape and rescue openings, provided that such devices comply with ASTM F2090. The window industry is a highly competitive market. Manufacturers are constantly developing new products that are easier to clean and possess higher thermal protection properties. It is important to keep in mind that no special knowledge for operation of the egress window is a key operational constraint. It is impractical to assume that all occupants can operate a window that requires a special sequence of operations to achieve the required opening size. Although most occupants are familiar with the normal operation to open the window, children and guests are frequently unfamiliar with special procedures necessary to remove the sashes. The time spent comprehending special operations unnecessarily delays egress from the bedroom and could lead to panic and further confusion. Thus, windows that achieve the required opening dimensions only by performing a special sequence of operations, such as the removal of sashes or mullions, are not permitted. For example, if a specific area of the window has to be depressed or manipulated to allow the sash to be removed or released to achieve the open area requirement of 5.7 square feet (0.53 m2), the window does not qualify as an egress window.

R310.1.1 Operational constraints and opening control devices.

Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge. Window opening control devices complying with ASTM F2090 shall be permitted for use on windows serving as a required emergency escape and rescue opening.

Openings for emergency escape and rescue must be operational from the inside. Keys, tools or special knowledge must not be needed to operate these openings. If keys or tools were necessary, they might not be readily available in an emergency or panic situation, and an individual might not be able to operate them, rendering the opening unusable. Section R310.1 also requires the opening size to be obtained by the normal operation of the window (see commentary to Section R310.1).

Complete Egress Window Systems

Jackson Egress Windows: Basement Egress Windows

2509 Norton Road, Galloway, Ohio 43119, United States

614-260-5130

Egress Window Building Codes

Ohio Residential Code

International Residential Code

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