(A) Emergency escape and rescue opening required.
(1) Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening.
(a) Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room.
(b) Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
(2) Exception. Storm shelters and basements used only to house mechanical equipment not exceeding a total floor area of 200 square feet.
(B) Operational constraints and opening control devices. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge. Window opening control devices complying with ASTM F2090 shall be permitted for use on windows serving as a required emergency escape and rescue opening.
(C) Emergency escape and rescue openings. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have minimum dimensions as follows.
(1) Minimum opening area. Emergency and escape rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear openable area of four square feet. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 22 inches. The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches. Emergency escape and rescue openings must have a minimum total glazing area of not less than five square feet in the case of a ground floor level window and not less than five and seven-tenths square feet in the case of an upper story window.
(2) Window sill height. Where a window is provided as the emergency escape and rescue opening, it shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor; where the sill height is below grade, it shall be provided with a window well.
(3) Window wells.
(a) The horizontal area of the window well shall be not less than nine square feet, with a horizontal projection and width of not less than 36 inches. The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.
(b) Exception. The ladder or steps required as indicated below shall be permitted to encroach not more than six inches into the required dimensions of the window well.
(4) Ladder and steps. Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be required to comply with other sections regarding ladders and steps. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of not less than 12 inches, shall project not less than three inches from the wall, and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches on center vertically for the full height of the window well.
(5) Emergency escape and rescue openings under decks and porches. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be permitted to be installed under decks and porches, provided that the location of the deck allows the emergency escape and rescue openings to be fully opened, and provides a path not less than 36 inches in height to a yard or court.
(6) Replacement windows. Replacement windows installed in buildings meeting the scope of this code shall be exempt from the maximum sill height requirements, provided the replacement window meets the following conditions.
(a) The replacement window is the manufacturer’s largest standard size window that will fit within the existing frame or existing rough opening. The replacement window is of the same operating style as the existing window or a style that provides for an equal or greater window opening area than the existing window.
(b) The replacement window is not part of a change of occupancy.
(D) Emergency escape and rescue doors. Where a door is provided as the required emergency escape and rescue opening, it shall be permitted to be a side-hinged door or a slider. Where the opening is below the adjacent ground elevation, it shall be provided with a bulkhead enclosure.
(1) Minimum door opening size. The minimum net clear height opening for any door that serves as an emergency and escape rescue opening shall be in accordance with opening sizes above.
(2) Bulkhead enclosures. Bulkhead enclosures shall provide direct access from the basement. The bulkhead enclosure shall provide the minimum net clear opening equal to the door in the fully open position.
(3) Bars, grilles, covers and screens. Bars, grilles, covers, screens or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclosures, or window wells that serve such openings, provided that the minimum net clear opening size is not reduced, and such devices shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool, special knowledge or force greater than that required for the normal operation of the escape and rescue opening.
(E) Dwelling additions.
(1) Where dwelling additions occur that contain sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be provided in each new sleeping room.
(2) Where dwelling additions occur that have basements, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be provided in the new basement.
(3) Exceptions.
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(F) Alterations or repairs of existing basements.
(1) An emergency escape and rescue opening is not required where existing basements undergo alterations or repairs.
(2) Exception. New sleeping rooms created in an existing basement shall be provided with emergency escape and rescue openings.
(Ord. 2019-08-01, passed 9-9-19)