Is a window required in a bedroom? - InspectionNews

MaMa Mount · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 10:48 AM

is a window required in a bedroom even if there is a door to the exterior?

Thanx in advance,
Mama Mount

Jim Robinson · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 11:12 AM

Not for egress, but for ventilation and natural light on current IRC codes. Depends on the door. Sliding glass door, no window needed. Insulated exterior door with no window, then a window (or operable skylight, possibly) would be needed.

Jerry McCarthy · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 11:13 AM

Yes & no according to IRC 303.1. Please note exceptions. I suspect this may turn into an interesting discussion?

Jerry Peck · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry McCarthy

Yes & no according to IRC 303.1. Please note exceptions. I suspect this may turn into an interesting discussion?

"I suspect this may turn into an interesting discussion?"

About the wording, or the intent?

Richard Pultar · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 01:22 PM

required? who would require what ,would be a question for that particular entity.
Rental housing standards, IBC,IRC ,BOCA CABO ,your own ,insurance carrier ?
A code response that is Specific for your area is impossible.
Maybe if there is no window then it is not a bedroom no matter what.

Jerry McCarthy · #6 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 02:30 PM

Both. You're a very observant guy JP.

John Wilcox · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 01:30 AM

No window is required if egress (means of exit) requirements are met. This supposedly is met by your exterior door. As long as you meet lighting requirements (8% of your floor area) in glazing for natural light in any given habitable room and ventilation (4% of your floor area) operable you should meet modern standards.

Jerry McCarthy · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 09:45 AM

IRC 2006
R303.1 Habitable rooms. All habitable rooms shall have an aggregate glazing area of not less than 8 percent of the floor area of such rooms. Natural ventilation shall be through windows, doors, louvers or other approved openings to the outdoor air. Such openings shall be provided with ready access or shall otherwise be readily controllable by the building occupants. The minimum openable area to the outdoors shall be 4 percent of the floor area being ventilated.
Exceptions:
1. The glazed areas need not be openable where the opening is not required by Section R310 and an approved mechanical ventilation system capable of producing 0.35 air change per hour in the room is installed or a whole-house mechanical ventilation system is installed capable of supplying outdoor ventilation air of 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm)(78L/s) per occupant computed on the basis of two occupants for the first bedroom and one occupant for each additional bedroom.
2. The glazed areas need not be installed in rooms where Exception 1 above is satisfied and artificial light is provided capable of producing an average illumination of 6 footcandles (65lux) over the area of the room at a height of 30 inches (762mm) above the floor level.
3. Use of sunroom additions and patio covers, as defined in Section R202, shall be permitted for natural ventilation
If in excess of 40 percent of the exterior sunroom walls are open, or are enclosed only by insect screening. (#3 is new for 2006)[

Markus Keller · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 10:13 AM

Around here, 8% light, 4% vent, of room square footage, imagine typical double hung window
Door to exterior OK, but that door is not allowed to be one of the necessary primary exits. If it is then the bedroom is not a bedroom.

Dylan Whitehead · #10 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 01:12 PM

Would you not need one to meet the required emergency escape and rescue openings?

Jerry Peck · #11 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaMa Mount

is a window required in a bedroom even if there is a door to the exterior?

Thanx in advance,
Mama Mount

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Whitehead

Would you not need one to meet the required emergency escape and rescue openings?

Dylan,

That is met by having the exterior door.

Jerry McCarthy · #12 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 01:55 PM

I, for one, would never sleep in a room without an openable window. Claustrophobia you know. I’m the guy who waits for the next elevator when one arrives already half full. As we age all sorts of personality quirks show up. Some I’m not aware of, however, my wife will be happy to list everyone of them.

Rick Hurst · #13 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry McCarthy

I, for one, would never sleep in a room without an openable window. Claustrophobia you know. I’m the guy who waits for the next elevator when one arrives already half full. As we age all sorts of personality quirks show up. Some I’m not aware of, however, my wife will be happy to list everyone of them.

Jerry,

I have some of those that drive my wife crazy too.

For example:

I hold both hands up when I drive over a RR track.

Don't like to shake anyones hand anymore.

Lock all the doors at night, get in bed, go check all the doors again.

Clothes all have to face one direction in my closet. Same thing goes for labels on products in the refrigerator and pantry. Name on label has to be facing outward.

Weird I know.

rick

Jerry McCarthy · #14 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 02:43 PM

The good news Ric is that only people with very high IQs suffer from OCD.

Dylan Whitehead · #15 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 03:14 PM

Jerry,
I understand the exterior door serving as a required means of egress, but R310.1 says that every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court.

The way I see it is that not every sleeping room has an exterior door so would it not need a window?

Ted Menelly · #16 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Whitehead

Jerry,
I understand the exterior door serving as a required means of egress, but R310.1 says that every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court.

The way I see it is that not every sleeping room has an exterior door so would it not need a window?

If there were no door present that met lighting and ventilation as well as egress then there would have to be a window that met that criteria.

Ted Menelly · #17 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Jerry,

I have some of those that drive my wife crazy too.

For example:

I hold both hands up when I drive over a RR track.

Don't like to shake anyones hand anymore.

Lock all the doors at night, get in bed, go check all the doors again.

Clothes all have to face one direction in my closet. Same thing goes for labels on products in the refrigerator and pantry. Name on label has to be facing outward.

Weird I know.

rick

Ted Monk here

Rick Cantrell · #18 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 04:51 PM

"Ted Monk here"

Speaking of Monk
Monk is a germaphobic (sp) not in spell check),
but he also has a compulsion to touch things

Jerry McCarthy · #19 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 04:57 PM

Dylan - R303.1 addresses "Habitable Rooms" - not “Sleeping Rooms”, which of course are also habitable rooms. Folks occupying habitable rooms are assumed to be awake and would be aware of danger from an earthquake, fire, windstorm, flood, or fire or other emergencies. Folks occupying sleeping rooms are assumed to be sleeping therefore not aware of any potential danger. Naturally the code writers got it backwards, at least for the occupants under 50 years of age.

Dylan Whitehead · #20 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 05:10 PM

Jerry M.
That makes sense but it specifically says "basements and sleeping rooms" not just habitable rooms.

Jerry Peck · #21 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Whitehead

but R310.1 says that every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening.

No, it says that there must be two means of exit, one of which (for bedrooms) 'may be' an EERO.

Quote:

Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court.

The way I see it is that not every sleeping room has an exterior door so would it not need a window?

ONLY those which do not have an exterior door. The original post question was regarding one which had that exterior door.

Quote:

is a window required in a bedroom even if there is a door to the exterior?

That was what was being answered.

Ted Menelly · #22 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

"Ted Monk here"

Speaking of Monk
Monk is a germaphobic (sp) not in spell check),
but he also has a compulsion to touch things

The older I get the more I am affeared of others filth. In my younger years I would go in charging. Now it is more. lets walk around that and don't touch that and don't pick up that. A couple of folks have (on occasion)called me Monk.

I also have this thing with windex like My big fat greek wedding guy.

Dylan Whitehead · #23 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 05:24 PM

Jerry not trying to argue but I am getting this straight out of the book; the first sentence under the 2006 IRC section R310.1.
Could you help me find in this section where you are refering to?

Joao Vieira · #24 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 06:00 PM

is the subject window on the approved contract drawings?

Jerry Peck · #25 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Whitehead

Jerry not trying to argue but I am getting this straight out of the book; the first sentence under the 2006 IRC section R310.1.
Could you help me find in this section where you are refering to?

Dylan,

My mind is mixing code references up.

This is from the Standard Building Code (from SBCCI, which formed with other model code agencies to form ICC).
- B1005.4 EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS
- - B1005.4.1 Where required. Every sleeping room located on the first, second, and third story or within basements of Group R occupancies shall have at least one exterior emergency escape and rescue opening.
- - - EXCEPTIONS:
- - - - 1. Buildings equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- - - - 2. Sleeping rooms provided with a door to a corridor having access to two remote exits in opposite directions.
- - - - 3. The emergency escape and rescue opening may open onto a balcony within an atrium provided the balcony provides access to an exit and the dwelling unit or sleeping room has a means of egress which is not open to the atrium.

I.e, no EERO required if "2. Sleeping rooms provided with a door to a corridor having access to two remote exits in opposite directions."

Now, back to the 2006 IRC code.

You stopped too quickly in your reading of 310.1. (underlining is mine)
- R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required. Basements and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency and rescue opening. Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Where emergency escape and rescue openings are provided they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with Section R310.3. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the emergency

escape and rescue opening from the inside. Emergency escape and rescue openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2. Emergency escape a

nd rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

- - Exception:

Basements used only to house mechanical equipment and not exceeding total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m2).

- - R310.1.1 Minimum opening area.

All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.530 m2).

- - - Exception:

Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet (0.465 m2).

- - R310.1.2 Minimum opening height.

The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches (610 mm).

- - R310.1.3 Minimum opening width.

The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches (508 mm).

- - R310.1.4 Operational constraints.

Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge.

Note the underlined "Where a door" - that is addressing "a door" which has its threshold below grade. "A door" which has its threshold at or above grade only need meet the opening size of a EERO, i.e., width and height, and, being as it is a door, it will meet the height requirement.

The exterior door *IS* the EERO. I stated that it replaced the EERO (that the EERO was not needed with that door present), whereas *the door* *IS* the EERO.

Dylan Whitehead · #26 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 06:11 PM

I'll buy that. What would be your answer to this particular situation (original post)?

Jerry Peck · #27 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaMa Mount

is a window required in a bedroom even if there is a door to the exterior?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Whitehead

What would be your answer to this particular situation (original post)?

Does this answer that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Dylan,

That is met by having the exterior door.

Scott Murdock · #28 (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

No, it says that there must be two means of exit, one of which (for bedrooms) 'may be' an EERO.

ONLY those which do not have an exterior door. The original post question was regarding one which had that exterior door.

That was what was being answered.

I know this is an old post but I was having this discussion with some CREIA chapter members. Does the door meet the ventilation requirements assuming most people don't sleep with the door open.

Jerry Peck · #29 (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Murdock

I know this is an old post but I was having this discussion with some CREIA chapter members. Does the door meet the ventilation requirements assuming most people don't sleep with the door open.

"Does the door meet the ventilation requirements ... " - Yes, see below

" ... assuming most people don't sleep with the door open." Yes, as most people also sleep with the windows closed. The door CAN BE opened for ventilation if desired, also see below as this requires a screen door.

I'll pipe in before WC Jerry does, but he is a CREIA man so his answer will likely be better for you.

First, if there is a door instead of a window, does the light area in the door equal the required 8% of the floor area?

If it does, then the next question is what you asked: Does the door meet the 4% of the floor area when open? That answer is yes, and the door does not even need to be all the way open to meet 4% of a typical bedroom floor area. Example: 12 x 14 bedroom = 168 sf x 8% = 13.44 sf of light area / 2 = 6.72 sf ventilation area (divide by 2 as you are dividing the 8% by 2 to get the 4%).

Take a typical exterior door which is 36" x 80" with 6" stiles on each side, 6" rail across top and center and a 12" rail across the bottom leaves the light area at 24" width x 56" = 1,344 sq in / 144 = 9.34 sf ... with 13.44 sf being required for natural light ... oops, need to have a window for additional natural light.

Okay, how about ventilation? The minimum required ventilation is 6.72 sf, with that typical door open the ventilation area (not net free vent area) would be reduced by the the rails and stiles on the screen door, which are likely 3" stiles on each side with 3" rail across the top and the center and a 4" rail across the bottom ... regardless, the opening area will be greater than the light area which was 9.34 sf, so the open door would exceed the minimum ventilation size.

All which is needed to allow the door to be the ventilation would be a screen door.

No screen door and you are not allowed to use the door as being open for ventilation, just like a window needs a screen.

Note: I went back and read through the above posts, with the original post being turned into questions about emergency egress, which is different, then Dylan asked me about the original post and I answered based on the discussion about the emergency egress issue, which *was not* what was asked in the original post, which means this answer of mine supersedes my previous answer which was based on still being distracted by the EERO discussion. My bad. (on that answer)

Rocco Germano · #30 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 11:05 AM

From a pure real estate perspective a window is considered along with a closet to be deemed a bedroom.

Jerry Peck · #31 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocco Germano

From a pure real estate perspective a window is considered along with a closet to be deemed a bedroom.

Huh?

Wouldn't you need walls and a door too?

Rocco Germano · #32 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 11:47 AM

Perhaps. details will kill you.