Egress Window Well Code

Before you purchase an egress window well, you want to be assured that that well will meet International Residential Code 2003 ("The Code"). For your convenience, and to help educate you about your purchase, we are providing excerpts from The Code.

International Residential Code (IRC) 2003
Egress code for one and two families:

Section 310.1 - EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS states that "basements with habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue window or exterior door opening for emergency escape and rescue. Where openings are provided as a means of escape and rescue they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor".

According to The Code, window wells at escape or rescue windows shall comply with the following:

Section 310.2 - "Window wells required for emergency escape and rescue shall have horizontal dimensions that allow the door or window of the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened. The horizontal dimensions of the window well shall provide a minimum net clear area of 9 square feet with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches".

Section 310.2 of The Code provides an exception for window wells that have ladders or steps, and permits these two features to encroach a maximum of 6" into the required dimensions of the window well.

How Scapewel satisfies IRC Code:
Scapewel Egress Window Wells meet this requirement with their 30" projection (36" required by Code, minus 6" Exception for window wells with steps = 30") from the foundation to the edge of the bottom step. With regard to net clear opening, measuring at the bottom of the well and including the bottom step, Scapewel's Model 4862-54 has dimensions of 30" x 54" wide, or 11.25 SF (well above The Code's requirement of 9 SF). If you consider the 6" encroachment allowed, this well has a total area of 13.5 SF. At the top, the area totals 18 SF. Scapewel exceeds code requirements for light and ventilation into basement spaces.

How Welcraft satisfies IRC Code:
Welcraft's Model 5600 has a projection from foundation to edge of ladder rung of 37.5 inches, which more than satisfies Code.

Pertinent Highlights of IRC 2003 Code:

Windows:
Sill height of window above floor: Not to exceed 44”
Minimum opening area: = 5.7 sq. ft.
Minimum opening height = 24”
Minimum opening width: = 20”

Window Wells/Area Wells:
Required where window opening sill height is below ground elevation.
Horizontal dimensions: = 9 sq.ft. (width x projection)
Horizontal projection: = 36 “

For Window Wells with Steps:
Steps may encroach into well up to 6” into the required dimensions of the window well.
Step distance between rungs: = 18”
Rungs:12” wide or greater and must project a minimum of 3” away from wall but maximum of 6”.

For Window Wells with Ladders:
Required on window wells deeper than 44” and must be permanently attached.
Ladder may encroach into well up to 6”.
Step distance between rungs: = 18”
Rungs:12” wide or greater and must project a minimum of 3” away from wall but maximum of 6”.

Grates:
Shall be removable without special tools.

Information on this page was quoted from, and condensed and reformatted from, the 2003 International Residential Code, and from sales literature provided by Bilco Products and Wellcraft, and directly from IRC 2003, and is being provided for your reference and convenience. Please consult an actual copy of the 2003 International Residential Code if you have further questions or concerns.