Emergency Escape Openings

Many older homes in our area (and across the U.S.) are often deficient in one aspect that many homeowners under-appreciate, which are the designated emergency escape and rescue openings within your home.
 
According to the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), basements, habitable attics, and every sleeping room within the residence shall have an emergency escape and rescue opening. Typically, this is a window that needs to follow specific requirements to qualify as an emergency escape and rescue opening:

• The window shall have a minimum net clear opening area not less than 5.7 square feet.
• The net clear height shall be not less than 24 inches.
• The net clear width shall be not less than 20 inches wide.
• The windowsill shall be not more than 44 inches from the floor.
• If the window is in a basement and below grade, then there shall be a window well of at least 36 inches of width not less than 9 feet in square area. If the depth of the well is more than 44 inches, then a permanent ladder needs to be installed within the window well.

Fire is the most common reason someone may need to escape through a window, but there are several other circumstances that would be no less valuable, such as escape from noxious gasses or an intruder. So, when your home inspector reports an under-sized or high bedroom window as a deficiency in your home, bear-in-mind that it is your family or occupant safety that is the top concern.
 
Note: To help provide fall protection for occupants, the top of the sill of any operable window that is greater than 72 inches above the finished grade outside shall be not less than 24 inches above the floor.