Thread: Egress Window Well

Today's Inspection. 1 Year old Home.

This one was constructed with two Egress Wells (one on the right and one at the rear). Depth of the well is 5"10".

Home was also constructed after the State of PA adopted IRC 2003.

Thoughts...Suggestions?

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Originally Posted by Joseph P. Hagarty

Today's Inspection. 1 Year old Home.

This one was constructed with two Egress Wells (one on the right and one at the rear). Depth of the well is 5"10".

Home was also constructed after the State of PA adopted IRC 2003.

Thoughts...Suggestions?

Window wells over 44 inches deep are required to have a permanent ladder or steps according to 2003 IRC R310.2.1. But something tells me you know that already?

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Window wells over 44 inches deep are required to have a permanent ladder or steps according to 2003 IRC R310.2.1.

I believe the Developer is suggesting that the step staggered stones are an adequate means of egress (need to brush up on rock climbing skills).

Originally Posted by John Arnold

But something tells me you know that already?

....

Window wells over 44 inches deep are required to have a permanent ladder or steps according to 2003 IRC

Those steps look pretty permanent to me

Just a question. Does the ladder or steps need to be safe?? From the picture they look uneven if thats the correct term. THANK GOD I MOVED I DON'T MISS THAT SNOW.

Bill B

Joe,
I see egress wells like that alot up here in WI. The most important thing I look for is a vertical section of drain tile connected to the horizontal drain tile to the sump pit. And prefferably gravel in the base. The other thing I see is what looks like the water heater exhaust discharging quite close to an openable window ( the egress unit), and of coarse EIFS which is a problem anywhere and all the time even when stuck to the concrete foundation. It won't be long and there will be a crack in the EIFS at the rim joist to the foundation wall.
Soo you get that white stuff too eh!

Jim Weyenberg
HouseMaster Inc.
Neenah, WI.

In the photos this design of window does not appear to be an emergency type? Did you try to escape the basement area and does this design accomplish that? Bring it to the attention of the Cleint and let him or her make the decision.

Originally Posted by Jim Weyenberg

...and of coarse EIFS which is a problem anywhere and all the time even when stuck to the concrete foundation. It won't be long and there will be a crack in the EIFS at the rim joist to the foundation wall.

Jim Weyenberg
HouseMaster Inc.
Neenah, WI.

Stucco is Hard Coat. Not EIFS.

Ok, then, I guess if you get in there and take various measurements, those rocky "steps" might actually pass the minimal IRC requirements, i.e., twelve inches wide, three inches deep and no more than 18 inches vertical from each other. Says nothing about maintaining the same distance between steps or that they all have to be the same width or anything like that. It specifically says these steps or rungs do not have to comply with 311.5 and 311.6.

Joseph P.

Why not just state the requirement and let the builder defend the presence of the required steps?

BTW loose dirt looks like Visitors for the Winter.

What is the escapee supposed to grab onto while climbing those uneven rock surfaces? How long before that below grade erosion starts to really pile up in the well?

I see problems getting out of there in an emergency (as others have said, does not meet the egress well exit requirements), but, I also see problems of staying out of there when walking around it - 'no guardrail' around it.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I also see problems of staying out of there when walking around it - 'no guardrail' around it.

That was also a concern that was addressed in the Report.

"Although commonly seen in pre-owned homes, current safety standards would recommend .................."

Say it, and then its none of by business who does what to whom, OR if anybody does anything to anything.

Originally Posted by Dan Bowers

"Although commonly seen in pre-owned homes, current safety standards would recommend .................."

Say it, and then its none of by business who does what to whom, OR if anybody does anything to anything.

This is not a Pre-Owned Home. This is New Construction. (Completed March 2007)

Does this install appear to comply with IRC 2003?

Originally Posted by Joseph P. Hagarty

This is not a Pre-Owned Home. This is New Construction. (Completed March 2007)

Does this install appear to comply with IRC 2003?

Does not look like it does, but hard to confirm that from the photos.
- The window well depth in front of the window might.
- The steps might being as they are not required to meet the requirements for stairways.
- Does the window opening itself, and sill height meet the requirements?
- If the screen is installed with screws or hooks which require tools to allow removal of the screen, then that does not comply.

Too many 'might' complies in there to say it does.