Egress Window Well

Since 2000 the International Building Code (IRC) requires that every basement sleeping room have at least one operable window with a clear opening of 5.7 square feet to act as an egress window (escape window) in the event of an emergency. The code also requires that the maximum allowable distance from the floor to the window sill is no more than 44 inches in order to be acceptable as an emergency escape or egress window.

This code also requires an egress window well that has a minimum of 9 square foot of surface area and a 36 inch minimum projection off the surface of the foundation. Any egress window well that is deeper than 44" must have either a ladder or steps to allow safe egress.