What is an egress window and why is it important? It’s essentially what its name implies—a window that can be used for emergency exits, if needed. It’s also meant to allow rescue crews passage into and from the space in case of emergency. Egress windows are required in every habitable space, specifically bedrooms or family rooms. If the basement will have more than one “sleeping room”, each has to have its own egress window. If your basement is to be converted into a non-frequented room, such as a laundry room or gym, you are not required to add an egress window. However, you may still want to have one in case you change the room’s use in the future.
Size requirements for egress windows vary by state or city, though they must comply with the four major criteria from the International Residential Code (IRC).
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