To serve as an egress point bedroom windows must meet minimum size specifications.
Adding a bedroom window requires that you plan the window's size to fit local building regulation codes. The window must be large enough to fit a fully equipped fireman, for emergency reasons. To ensure that the fits local safety requirements it must generally satisfy either a minimum height or width standard, as well a total area requirement, depending on which floor the bedroom is located.
Instructions
1. Select a location for the bedroom window. Choose an exterior wall that's at least 68 inches in height to allow for a maximum window sill height of no more than 44 inches from the floor. Additionally, the window itself must be at least 24 inches high.
2. Choose either the minimum height or width of the window. According to the International Residential Code (IRC), an egress window opening must be 24 inches or more in height, and at least 20 inches wide.
3. Calculate the minimum size of the second window dimension. The IRC demands a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (820.8 square inches) for second story or higher windows, and 5 square feet (720 square inches) for ground floor windows, to allow room for emergency workers to enter the bedroom. Divide the window opening's square inch measurement by the dimension size chosen in Step 2 to determine the window's second measurement. For example, a 20-inch-wide ground floor window must be 36 inches high to serve as an egress window from your bedroom.
Tags: least inches, , egress window, either minimum, either minimum height