Did I do this right???

[Jake Beeler]

HI All,

This is my 3rd calander year in the business and from time to time I have to ask Hmmmmm? I don't know what I don't know.

Please let me know your thoughts on how this should be handled.

I found this egress window the other day in a living area NOT a bedroom. There were 2 seperate sliding windows with a opening of only 13"...Height was less than 36" I cant remember now. It's my understanding that the min opening for egress is @5 sq ft. with a min width of 20". Along with the small opening, there was not escape ladder or cover over the egress. The house was built in 1984. I wrote in them up as a fire hazard stating that the windows must be 5sq ft or larger and a ladder/grate cover must be installed.

Any suggestions?

Thanks !!!
Jake

[Wayne Carlisle]

Shouldn't have written it up. Only bedroom windows are required to be of a minimum size.

Oh....Welcome to the board!

[Jake Beeler]

Thanks.

But without a ladder it's still a fire hazard right?

IRC 310.1 reads "All basements with habitable space require escape and rescue opening. Does the size of the window not apply unless its a bedroom?

[Wayne Carlisle]

Basements are a different story!

Does it have a door to the outside?

[Jake Beeler]

Other than the 2 tiny windows, the stairs are the only way out. No door.