This is my first visit to bt. The reading has been great because I’m a info-junkie. I hope someone can help me with some information. I am remodeling a 3bed 2 bath home. Part of the project is to add a fouth BR. This house will be a rental dwelling. The room I am adding has no window. I believe that in order that this room qualify as a bedroom it must have a window. My question: Is there a building code requirement that determines the minimum size of the window and its height off the floor?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Framing the floor inside a crawlspace foundation keeps a gable-end addition close to grade.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Yeah the window must be at least 18" off the floor or you must use tempered glass. More importantly, the window must be sized for egress - 5.7 sq. feet min., with min. width 20" & min height 24"
around here the window has to be 10% of the sq. footage of the room, (if that makes any sense)
Doug
Huh.
And that 5.7 square feet has to be clear area, e.g., open the window and it better have 5.7 feet of area that someone can climb out of.
I am sure your local city code enforcement has guidelines for your municipality. You would be better off going there than believing any of us, who don't know your Code.
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927
Yes. Not only the codes but your conscience will indicate that a bedroom needs an egress window in case of fire.
It should be no more than 44" above the finished floor
it needs to have 5.7 Sq Ft clear openning
Min hgt 22"
min width 20"
Excellence is its own reward!
Not only do you have to provide an eccape route, and allow sunlight in, you better check the glazing required. Title 24 energy codes call for dual glazing at least.