Leavenworth and Cle Elum Home Inspection- The Great Escape
Leavenworth and Cle Elum Home Inspection- The Great Escape
When performing home inspection basements need to evaluated in the context of how the occupant will be able to exit in an emergency. But there is another factor involved here that need to be accounted for.
One of the things that many people do not understand in terms of the basement egress is that not only is this for your safety to be able to exit a home in an emergency but it is equally important that it can be entered by a rescuer. This is mainly firemen/women.
In a home emergency the rescue personnel need to be able to enter this egress point and so many of the code are actually crafted with this in mind.
If you look at how the IRC (International Residential Code) titles the section it shows what the intent is-
IRC SECTION R310- EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS
The requirements are that a basements and every sleeping room should have at least one operable emergency and rescue opening. The minimum size of this opening is 5.7 sq ft with a minimum 24 inches in height and 20 inches in width (clear opening). The sill height should not be more than 44 inches off the floor.
Another very important item is the emergency escape and rescue openings should be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge.
When the escape/rescue opening is a window the well must meet some criteria also.
This well must have a minimum horizontal area of the window well of 9 square feet (example 3x 3 feet), with a minimum depth and width of 36 inches.
If the window well is greater than 44 inches deep it should be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position.
And in this example another rule comes into play. If the emergency escape is under decks and porches it is allowed provided the location of the deck allows the emergency escape to be fully opened and provides a path not less than 36 inches in height to a yard or court.
Chelan and Wenatchee Home Inspection- The Great Escape. Let’s hope you never have to use this for the design purpose.
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2 Comments
Lesley · May 9, 2014 at 3:28 pm
I have an apartment in a basement which I would like to rent. The apt has windows in the foundation above ground level but none are the dimensions of egress. (5.7sqft) However, there is a door leading directly from the basement to an outside concrete stairway. Can the door serve as the legal egress for the apt?
Don Hester · May 10, 2014 at 4:37 pm
Lesley, A door leading to a public space can be an egress. Now if you have a bedroom and the only way to that door is through a hall or another room then the bedroom should have an emergency egress also. Now some jurisdiction may allow a window that does not meet current standards but are close. I would check with your local building department.
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