Size Of Window Opening For Legal Egress

[VolcanoLvr]

I can't put my filed off fingerprints on the correct reference:

What is the minimum window SIZE requirement in a bedroom for the window to be considered OK for 'legal' egress in order for the room to be called a bedroom?

The window I found today measures 23" x 42", or is 6.7 sf .... but one problem is it is hinged at the bottom along the 42" length, which I'm not sure matters.

The window is mounted less than 42" off the floor, so that part is OK.

Somewhere buried in the muddled gray matter I think I recall 2' x 3', or 6 s/f is the minimum size, but not really sure.

 

[OSU Beavers]

I think the standard is 22" minimum width and height.

 

[Mr Rex]

WHAT ARE SIZE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN EGRESS

WINDOW?

(Codes vary in Cities and States, check with your City Offices)


An egress window must satisfy four International Residential Code (IRC) criteria:

• 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


The window must have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft. Net clear opening refers to the actual free and clear space that exists when the window is open. It is not the rough opening size or the glass panel size, but the actual opening a person can crawl through.

The window opening must be operational from the inside without keys or tools. Bars, grilles and grates may be installed over windows but must be operational without tools or keys and still allow the minimum clear opening.

You might assume that a 20-in. by 24-in. window would be acceptable for egress. However, those dimensions would yield a net clear opening of only 3.3 sq. ft. To achieve the required net clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft., a 20-in. wide window would have to be 42 in. high. Likewise, a 24-in. high window would have to be 34 in. wide.

 

[Mark K]

The window must have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft. Net clear opening refers to the actual free and clear space that exists when the window is open. It is not the rough opening size or the glass panel size, but the actual opening a person can crawl through.

Some builders in this area were using 2050 casement windows (20" x 50") in bedrooms and the inspector started red tagging them because the window clear opening was not 20". Crankout casements have the glass panel partially blocking the opening even when fully open.

 

[Pilgrum]

The size for egress depends on who is chasing me.

 

[glenn walker]

Way over thinking this ** finish the report and be done and the size of the window has nothing to do with if it's a bedroom . if the window is to small the it's still a bedroom that may require larger window to be installed. Kind of like a truck if I take the passenger seat out it's still a truck it just needs the right seat reinstalled. Otherwise what are you going to call that bedroom a dining room a den with a bed in it , a man-cave. Make your life easy and finish the report or contact your local building department and get advice. I personally would just finish the report unless the average sized man or women could not get out in a fire !!

 

[VolcanoLvr]

Thanks Rex.....exactly what I was looking for, which should also be helpful to other appraisers.

I sincerely hope nobody believes post #6, which doesn't deserve a sensible reply.

 

[glenn walker]

# 6 Wants to know: My question is are you or appraisers going to condition every older home that was built to previous code to change out all the bedroom windows ? In my market most homes built between 1900 to 1965 do not meet today's window size code but appraisers are not making their reports subject to owners installing new windows and also our city code requires dual pane windows for any new installations.

P.S. Rex I did not mean to offend you I was just trying to save you a big headache but after reading your post it appears you already knew the answer to your question and just needed some positive reinforcement before you conditioned the appraisal for a new window or windows.

 

[Mark K]

# 6 Wants to know: My question is are you or appraisers going to condition every older home that was built to previous code to change out all the bedroom windows ?

Nobody's advocating conditioning reports to require window replacement.

But, it sounds like you advocate ignoring safety code violations of which you become aware. There's a difference between noting deficiencies in the report and calling for correction.

I often encounter non-conforming windows in our area. In the 50's and 60' the local builders decided that putting windows up close to the ceiling was a good idea. Help prevent intruders. These windows are about 2' tall and 5' wide and mounted with the bottom sill about 60" from the floor. These are crank-out, awning type windows. No possible way a child (nor many adults) could scale the wall and crawl thru the narrow opening for emergency egress. They are an obvious violation and serious potential hazard. I note the problem to inform the interested parties and to cover myself.

I note the safety violation but indicate that its typical for the vintage of home in the area.

 

[jay trotta]

Nobody's advocating conditioning reports to require window replacement.

But, it sounds like you advocate ignoring safety code violations of which you become aware. There's a difference between noting deficiencies in the report and calling for correction.

I often encounter non-conforming windows in our area. In the 50's and 60' the local builders decided that putting windows up close to the ceiling was a good idea. Help prevent intruders. These windows are about 2' tall and 5' wide and mounted with the bottom sill about 60" from the floor. These are crank-out, awning type windows. No possible way a child (nor many adults) could scale the wall and crawl thru the narrow opening for emergency egress. They are an obvious violation and serious potential hazard. I note the problem to inform the interested parties and to cover myself.

I note the safety violation but indicate that its typical for the vintage of home in the area.

And I mean no disrespect here; but if a Fire is ragging thru your house, I do not believe anyone is going to crawl out of anywhere, I truly believe one would break thru whatever opening is needed to get out, as safely as possible OR not. People have been known to jump from 2, 3, & 4 story; (9/11 - 32 Story's) buildings or higher, just not to see their *** go up in smoke & Flame. Codes change from time to time, but only during an improvement / upgrade may the Code Compliant issue be brought to the table, IF those area's are being addressed.
And it is a State / Municipal impact issue.