Topic

Egress Windows

An egress window is a crucial safety element in residential buildings, serving as an emergency escape route and entry point for fully equipped first responders. These specialized windows are designed to meet specific size and accessibility requirements, ensuring that occupants can quickly and safely exit a building during emergencies such as fires or natural disasters.

The 2021 International Building Code 1031.3 specifies the minimum width for an egress window at 24 inches; the minimum height is 20 inches, and the net clear opening requirement is 5.7 square feet (5.0 square feet for ground-floor windows. To comply with the code, an egress window must be set with a maximum sill height of 44 inches.

An undersized egress window in a bedroom can spell disaster in a fire.