I’m in process of designing a new home and will have stairs from my garage directly to my basement. Will the stairs satisfy the code requirement in liu of an egress window in the basement, assuming the door is openable from the basement side without a key. I’d rather not have an egress window if the stairs will suffice.
Thank you.
Replies
if it is a bedroom, AFAIK you must have multiple egress
As a point of common sense - even if not a bedroom, I would make certain there is multiple egress
As a practoical matter, the only answer that applies to you is to be answered by a conversation with your local AHJ
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The common misconception about egress windows is they're put in to allow occupants to escape. Their main purpose is to allow rescue workers to enter a basement living area. I don't think a door loked from the inside will fit the bill.
On one site we were helping to build, actually wire, a house. The HO objected to the window's size. General looked into it. It could go a bit smaller but not much. HO didn't like it.
The general took it up with the inspector. Inspector was quite cooperative. He offered several alternatives. First was to remove and keep out all flammable materials. Second, install a sprinkler system. Third was to build and man a well equipped fire station on site.
The window went in and the house was completed on schedule.
THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR AN EGRESS WINDOW, at least not in the 2000 IRC.
According to it EVERY habbitable BASEMENT and sleeping room have at least one openable window OR EXTERIOR OPEING DOOR for rescue and escape.
It them goes onto list all of the details of size, etc.
As mentioned it it is up to the inspector if these qualifies, but since it goes into a garage then I doubt it.
yeah, a door going from basement ( where a lot of toxic smoke can settle to) to the garage ( which is one of the most likely place a fire would start) is not an exterior egress unit.
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Work with your inspector on this one. The last thing you need is to do something you think is ok then find out it isn't - lol.