Attic Egress Window

V 2500 series white vinyl right handed sliding window with fiberglass mesh screen.

Attic egress window.

Attic windows or roof windows are commonly installed for three main purposes. They include skylights dormer windows rose windows and top hinged roof windows. Egress is literally defined as a path out or to emerge and these terms directly apply to the design principles behind egress windows. Please be aware of the definition and egress requirements of a habitable attic as it relates to dwellings built from the 2012 irc.

When the sill height of an egress window is located below grade common for egress windows provided for a basement a window well must be provided. Attic ventilation natural lighting and aesthetic value. In case of an emergency windows installed in any sleeping room must pass strict codes so that occupants can exit and rescue specialists can enter the bedroom. In most codes this means an operable not fixed window to the outside or patio door.

Egress is defined as the act of coming or going out. Two means of egress. Since any staircase to the attic can act as a chimney for the fire to quickly spread it s necessary to have a secondary point of egress or exit. Attics are the worst place to be in the event of a fire because heat and fire rise rapidly.

The minimum egress window opening height is 24 high. The minimum egress window opening is 20 wide. The egress window must have a glass area of not less than 8 of the total floor area of room s for which it is servicing to allow the minimum amount of sufficient natural light. Attics that meet the size and ceiling height criteria of the habitable attic definition in chapter 2 are considered habitable.

Have an egress point. An egress window is a window that is large enough according to local building codes to enter or exit a room during an emergency. Attics are the worst place to be in a fire because heat and fire rise rapidly. There are different types of new construction and replacement windows that are specially designed for attic installation.

Egress window well code requirements. The 2009 and 2015 irc verbiage is similar and still applicable. Since the staircase to the attic can act as a chimney for the fire to quickly spread it s necessary to have a secondary point of egress or exit. A rose window is circular and decorative.