Egress Windows
New Building Codes in New York State
If you are a builder or contractor in New York State you are probably already aware that as of October 1, 2016 changes were made to the building code as we currently know it. The code is now updated to the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) along with NYS Building Standards and Codes 2016 Uniform Code Supplement. From that code, most of us most often refer to the International Residential Code (IRC) for One- and Two-family Dwellings.
With regard to basements, Building Code already required that habitable basement spaces have an Emergency Egress Window System that provides direct access to the outdoors. This portion of that code remains the same, paraphrased as follows;
Any habitable space and all sleeping rooms in basement must have a second means of Egress with a minimum open area of 5.7 sq. ft. with a minimum height of 24 inches and a minimum width of 20 inches and cannot be more than 44 inches off the floor. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools.
 Section R310 – EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS
R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required.
Basements … shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room….
So if there is a basement with sleeping quarters which contains an emergency egress does that fulfill the requirements of Section R310? That’s something on which we’ll be seeking clarification. But here is what is offered relative to additions and alterations or repairs.
Section R310.5 Dwelling Additions
Where dwelling additions occur that contain sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be provided in each new sleeping room. Where dwelling additions occur that have basements, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be provided in the new basement.
Exceptions:
- An emergency escape and rescue opening is not required in a new basement that contains a sleeping room with an emergency escape and rescue opening.
- An emergency escape and rescue opening is not required in a new basement where there is an emergency escape and rescue opening in an existing basement that is accessible from the new basement.
R310.6 Alterations or repairs of existing basements
An emergency escape and rescue opening is not required where existing basementsundergo alterations or repairs.
Exception: New sleeping rooms created in an existing basement shall be provided with emergency escape and rescue openings in accordance with Section R310.1.
Conditions requiring emergency escape and rescue openings from a basement have changed slightly. The requirements for emergency escape and rescue openings remain very similar and will be addressed in our follow-up post to include:
Emergency escape and rescue openings
- Minimum Opening Area
- Window sill height
- Window wells
Emergency escape and rescue doors
- Minimum door opening size
- Bulkhead enclosures
For those familiar with the code book, see pg. 62 of 2015 International Residential Code, SECTION R310 EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS.
Questions? The building codes of our state have been moving towards adoption of the 2015 IBC/IRC since that code was introduced. While this is just now coming into effect in our areas it has been increasingly on our radar for over a year. One of our goals is to remain helpful in keeping your current and future work at or above code standards. While the code is just newly elevated to the level of enforcement October 1, 2016 we are striving to absorb as much as we can about the impacts on residential and other types of construction here in New York state.
 Few of us think of windows as lifesaving equipment, but they are! Bedroom windows that are properly equipped for egress, in the event of an emergency, can be the difference between life and death.
3,500 to 4,000 people perish in home fires annually; in addition to the 15,000 to 21,000 who are injured. Half of these deaths occur at night when people are asleep and get trapped in their bedroom without a second way out in the event smoke or fire blocks their normal escape route.
Since September 1973, building codes require that in all new construction or when remodeling, every sleeping room have at least one operable window with a clear opening of 5.7 square feet to act as an egress window during an emergency. The code also requires that basement family rooms, basement bedrooms and basement apartments have a second way-out such as a Basement Egress Window and Basement Egress Well System. It also requires that the maximum allowable distance from the floor to the egress window sill is no more than 44 inches in order to be acceptable as an emergency escape or egress window.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the owner, architect, contractor and or builder to select products that comply with applicable, state and local building codes and that is appropriate for the application and use. A building permit probability will be needed.
Compact Single Hung In-swing Egress Windows
 Compact Single Hung In-swing Egress Windows are the smallest windows designed to meet or exceed the emergency egress window requirements of the IRC 2006 code.
They can be used for new or replacement construction in above ground or basement applications.
These dual function vinyl windows operate in two ways; 1) as a normal single hung window, with the lower sash opening for ventilation; 2) in the event of an emergency, a latch in the corner of the window is opened and the top and bottom sashes hinge into the room like a door giving you 5.7 square feet of clear area for escape.
Since both the top and bottom of the window opens up it gives you twice the square feet of clear area that you would get from a standard double hung window that doesn't hinge into the room.
 These egress windows come in two stock sizes; 28" wide X 46" high X 3 1/8" deep and 31" wide X 41" high X 3 1/8 deep and are available with a right or left hinge, for immediate delivery. Custom sized windows can be special ordered in 1/4" increments to fit any size requirements.
A Fiberglass Half Screen comes standard or an optional Stainless Steel Security Screen is also available.
Our stock Egress windows are supplied in white but are also available in beige vinyl. These emergency escape windows can be custom built with grids or lites in both the upper and lower window sections to match your home. Tempered glass is available. We also offer Low-e Glass and Argon gas filled glass options for energy saving performance. An Optional nailing strip can be purchased.
Sliding Basement Egress Windows
Energy Star Rating Available for this Window
 Sliding Basement Egress Windows are designed to meet the emergency egress window requirements of the IRC 2006 code, and are designed for above ground or basement applications.
These white vinyl windows come in two standard sizes 48" wide X 48" high and 60" wide X 48" high for both new and replacement construction applications. They are available in 7.5", 8", 9.5", 10", and 11.5" buck depths. The Egress Windows Lift out for easy cleaning, or to pass large items through the opening.
 Standard Sliding Egress Windows are supplied with 5/8" double pane clear glass and a screen. Our optional Energy Star Rated Egress Sliding Window comes with 5/8" double pane clear Low-e Insulated Glass and Argon Gas Filling.
 Our Sliding Egress Windows are packaged with removable wood bracing and plastic wrapped for pour in place applications.
Optional 5/8" Double Pane Low-e insulated glass Sliding Egress Windows are available that are Energy Star Rated.
Custom sized windows can be special ordered in 1/4" increments to fit any size requirements.
Casement In-swing Egress Windows
Our Vinyl Casement In-swing Egress Window is one of the smallest windows designed to meet or exceed the emergency egress window requirements of the IRC 2006 code. They can be used for new or replacement construction in basement applications.
This economical egress window comes in a 27" width X 45" height X 8" deep with a net clear opening of 20 1/8" X 40 7/8" (5.71 sq. ft.). The window is built with egress hinges to maximize the opening and 3/4" Double Pane Insulated Low-e Glass as a standard feature.
This Egress Window comes with a Full Fiberglass Screen that is removable from the inside of the house.
These Casement In-swing Egress windows are packaged with removable wood bracing, and are plastic wrapped for pour in place applications.
Custom sized windows can be special ordered in 1/4" increments to fit any size requirements.
Acrylic Block Casement Style In-swing Egress Windows
This Acrylic Block Casement Style In-swing Egress Window is designed to meet the emergency egress window requirements of the IRC 2006 code. This window is designed for replacement and new basement construction.
This 29 1/4" wide X 47 1/4" high X 8" deep vinyl frame window with a net clear opening of 22 3/8" X 43 1/8" (6.7 sq. ft.) has a configuration of 6" blocks in a 4 X 7 arrangement. Acrylic Block Egress Windows provides privacy, security and is 75% lighter than glass block. The acrylic block is UV stabilized to prevent yellowing.
Our Acrylic Block Casement Style In-swing Egress Window is double weather-stripped and has an energy rating comparable to 7/8" insulated glass.
Supplied with a full screen that is removable from the inside the house. The window is removable from its frame for easy cleaning or to pass large items through the opening.
This Acrylic Block Casement Style In-swing Egress Window is packaged with removable wood bracing and is plastic wrapped for pour in place applications.
Casement Out-swing Egress Windows
Energy Star Rating Available for this Window
Our Vinyl Casement Out-swing Egress Window is one of the smallest windows designed to meet or exceed the emergency egress window requirements of the IRC 2006 code. They can be used for replacement construction in basement or above ground applications.
These economical egress windows come in a 28" width X 47" height X 3 1/4" depth with a net clear opening of 20 1/8" X 41 3/8" (5.78 sq. ft.) and are Energy Star Rated.
The window is built with egress hinges that allow the sash to crank to 90 degrees to maximize the opening and allow easy cleaning of all glass surfaces from inside the home.
These Vinyl Casement Out-swing Egress Windows are supplied with 3/4" Double Pane Insulated Low-e glass as a standard feature and are Energy Star Rated.
These Emergency Egress Windows come with a Full Fiberglass Screen that is removable from inside the house.
Custom sized windows can be special ordered in 1/4" increments to fit any size requirements.
Click below to view an Egress Window installed by MC Home Improvement.
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