Egress Windows A Required Safety Precaution for All Habitable Basements

Izvor: KiWi

An egress window is an easy to open window usually used as an emergency exit. The windows are usually required when finishing a basement and are made together with an egress well which is equipped with a ladder or steps which make escaping easy.

Where Are They Required?

Egress windows are typically required in any room used for sleeping purposes in basements with habitable space. The International Residential Code requires that everyone who is constructing a house must put an egress window in every bedroom, habitable basement room and habitable basement bedrooms.

Size Requirements for Egress Windows

The window is required to have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 sq.ft. Net clear opening is the free and clear space available when the window is open. The window should be operational from inside without any keys or tools. You do not need a special type of window. Any window can work as far as they meet egress requirements. The minimum opening height should be24 sq. ft while the minimum opening width should be 20 sq. ft. The horizontal dimensions of the window should be 9 sq. ft. while the horizontal projections should be 36 sq.ft.

Basement Requirements

· Rescue window should be allowed to open fully

· There should be a permanently fixed ladder or steps of at least 12 inches wide and project not less than three for climbing out.

· The ladder should not be deeper than 44 in. and it should always be attached.

Safety

You can close the well properly with a cover which can support up to 500 pounds to reduce the risk of anyone falling into it. The cover should also be light, such that a child can easily escape by lifting it up.

Maintenance

Egress windows, crafted well, are made from polyethylene with ultraviolet rays’ inhibitors. This material is durable and resistant to any form of weathering. Therefore, it does not need any maintenance after installation. The material takes over ten years before any repair can be done to it.

Pros of Egress Windows

· Increased safety

Many citizens die in fire related accidents due to lack of proper escape plans and routes. An egress window increases the chances of escaping fire strategies and it acts as an entry point into your home for emergency personnel.

· Added value

Egress windows in the basement are important especially when it comes to increasing the value of the house. This will be the key to bringing the basement bedroom and living areas to the international residential code thus including them in the calculations of the overall square footage of the house. It will add the value to your house when you will be selling it.

- Extra comfort

An egress window in the basement brings in enough light to brighten the basement room and improves the basement ventilation.

Cons of Egress Windows

· Moisture problem

This can be a problem to the basement window applications especially if the basement has had a history of moisture related problems.

· Inconvenience

Putting up the egress window can go a long way to eating into your pockets especially if you need a good window and you had not planned for it. This is going to inconvenient other major projects, which you had

· Different building codes

The international residential codes for installing egress windows vary from one place to another. You should make sure you are aware of these codes before deciding to put up the egress window.


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