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> IRC-2006 International Residential Code
IRC-2006 International Residential
Code (2009 version coming soon)
Emergency Escape & Rescue Opening Code
Requirements For One & Two Family Dwellings
Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings:
section: R310.1
- Basements with habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Where emergency escape and rescue openings are provided they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with Section 310.3. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the emergency escape and rescue opening from the inside. Emergency escape and rescue openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2
Window Wells: Section: R310.2  Top
- The horizontal dimensions of a window
well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening
to be fully opened. The horizontal dimensions of the window
well shall provide a minimum net clear area of (9) square
feet with a minimum horizontal projections and width of
36 inches. Exception: The ladder or steps required by
section R310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum
of 6 inches into the required dimensions of the window
well.
Ladder and Steps: Section: R310.2.1
Top
- Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be required to comply with sections R311.5 and R311.6. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches (305 mm), shall project at least 3 inches (76mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center vertically for the full height of the window well.
Bars, Grills, Covers and Screens: Section:
R310.3 Top
- Bars, grills, covers, screens or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclosures, or window wells that serve such openings, provided the minimum net clear opening size complies with Sections R310.1.1 to R310.1.3, 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.
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