What is the size of an egress window well?
Window wells serving an egress window shall not be less than 9 square feet in area with a horizontal length/width of no less than 36 inches. Window wells greater than 44 inches in depth requires a permanently fixed ladder or steps to provide access. Permanent ladder or steps cannot encroach the required window well dimensions by more than 6 inches.
What are the requirements for an egress well?
Egress window wells are required where the bottom of the egress window is below ground level. The egress well must not interfere with the egress window fully opening. The distance from the egress window to the back of the Egress well must be at least 36" The minimum area of the egress well must be 9 square feet. (width x projection)
How deep should a window well be?
It also provides drainage for the water so that the water cannot accumulate by the basement window. For the water that does enter a window well, there are generally two drainage provisions for dealing with accumulated water: a gravel layer and a window well drain. The gravel layer in a newly installed window well is typically 6 inches deep.
What are the requirements for egress windows in a basement?
Basement Egress Window Requirements. The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5.7 square feet. 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,...
How high should an egress window be?
How much of the floor area of a room is required for an egress window?
How far can an egress ladder be from the wall?
Why do you need a means of egress in a basement?
Where are egress windows required?
Can you open an egress well without special tools?
Do basements need egress?
See 2 more
How deep should a window well be?
Your window well needs to be at least 10 to 12 inches below the window opening. You'll also want to leave at least 3 inches of the window well above the surface grade.
How deep should the gravel be in a window well?
Use pea gravel or ¾ inch or smaller free-draining rock, around the well stopping approximately 1 foot down from the top of the window well.
What is the smallest egress window well?
Egress Window and Well Code RequirementMinimum width of clear opening: 20 inches.Minimum height of clear opening: 24 inches.Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq. ft. ( 5.0 sq. ft. for ground floor Windows)Maximum sill height above floor: 44 inches – Target 42 inches.
How big should my window well be?
Window Well: In order to exit your home from a basement window, or to accommodate rescue personnel, your egress window well needs to be large enough to admit a person of any size. In order to meet IRC requirements, it must provide 9 square feet of 'floor area.
Should you put rocks in your window well?
After digging out the hole to install your well, you fill it with gravel or broken rock chunks to support the window well itself, improve drainage and prevent damaging frost heaves in the winter. The same gravel or rock is used as a base of the floor inside the egress well.
Do all window wells need a drain?
Window Well Drain – Every window well should have a drain to allow water to exit the window well and not build to a level that creates a basement seepage problem. Drains can be connected to interior or exterior drain tile or can be run to daylight where a proper slope exists.
Can a double hung window be used for egress?
Double-Hung Windows They can be used as egress windows, but even when they're fully open, more than half of their overall area is blocked by glass. That said, their overall height must be close to four feet nine inches to meet the requirements.
Are window wells necessary?
Window wells protect your home from rain, snow, ice, debris, intruders, and animals. They also provide the basement area with natural light and add to the esthetics of the property. Even if a window well isn't required by the local building codes or the homeowner's insurance, you should consider it a necessity.
Does a door count as egress?
The IRC requires two forms of egress in every habitable space, including living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and finished attics and basements. Egress in this case denotes a route of escape. One of these routes must be a door or a window large enough to escape through.
What is the best material for a window well?
In terms of strength and durability, concrete window wells are absolutely the best choice. If you're doing a DIY installation and you don't have any power equipment to maneuver heavy slabs of concrete, you might choose a plastic or metal window well.
What should I put in my basement window well?
Here is a list of our favorite 16 egress window wells and window well design ideas....Choose Your Egress Window Well Material4 Wood. ... 5 Bricks. ... 6 Stone Walls. ... 7 Garden Stones.
Does an egress window need a drain?
Water pouring through your egress window doesn't necessarily mean that the window needs replaced, but may just mean your window well needs to be fixed. Generally, new window wells are installed with drains to prevent water accumulation and have channels for the water to drain.
Do window wells need gravel?
Gravel is a necessary asset for any and all window well installations. However, the help gravel provides can become negated if dirt and other materials gunk up the area around the drain, so you should keep an eye on the quality of your gravel.
How do I stop water from coming in my window well?
Here's what you can do to keep as much water away from your house as possible:Fix grading to make sure it slopes away from the foundation.Keep your gutters clear of debris and in good working condition. ... Extend downspouts away from the house to keep roof runoff from pouring next to the foundation.
How do you keep a window well from flooding?
The simplest way to prevent flooding in your window wells is to install a window well cover. A clear polycarbonate window well cover will block water from pooling up inside your well without blocking sunlight on sunny days.
What should I put in my basement window well?
Here is a list of our favorite 16 egress window wells and window well design ideas....Choose Your Egress Window Well Material4 Wood. ... 5 Bricks. ... 6 Stone Walls. ... 7 Garden Stones.
2015 IRC Egress Codes - Section 310 | Window Well Experts
2015 International Residential Codes SECTION R310 – EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required. Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening.
What are Egress Window Requirements? | DoItYourself.com
Windows Used for Egress. The windows installed for egress purposes can open by sliding up or to the side, or they can open out on a hinge. Because of their ease of use, this last type, called casement windows are ideal for egress, especially in the basement.
Before you order, PLAN
Check our egress code explanations on our website (WindowWellExperts.com) with your local building inspector to verify any locally specific code requirements before ordering or performing egress window well installation.
How to Measure Your Egress Window Wells Correctly?
The egress window well should extend beyond the existing (or planned) window rough opening by approximately 2-3″ each side for a mount-to-foundation installation and 8-12″ deeper than the bottom of the rough opening for adequate drainage.
1. Order your basement well and accessories
Ordering from us is simple! Give one of our Experts a call at 1-888-650-9355. If you have any questions, we have the answers about not only wells but windows, ladders, and covers. Plan for a 4-5 week lead time for the wells; the accessories ‘ lead times may vary. Some sizes/types are in stock.
2. To dig the hole
It is possible to dig the hole by hand, depending on the depth of the well, soil conditions, your determination, and level of fitness. Cover the hole with a heavy sheet of plywood with a tarp covering if rain is expected.
3. Attach the well to the foundation
Don’t skip this step! Unfastened window wells will eventually move and cause water to leak into the basement.
4. Backfilling around your well
Place fill evenly around the well in 12″ layers, compacting as you go, to ensure the well profile does not become distorted. Then, add decorative stone into the window well for drainage and structural support from the inside.
How big are egress windows?
An egress window must open at least 20-inches wide and 24-inches high with a net clear open area of 5.7-feet square. The sill must be no higher than 44-inches from the ground. Windows can be of various total size, but their free areas, when open, must be at least 5.7-square feet. That does not include immovable panes or the frame; it only includes the clear space through which to climb.#N#For basement windows, an egress well must be in place. In older homes and in rooms not used for sleeping, basement windows are typically quite small, not big enough for a person to use as an escape route in an emergency. Basement rooms used for sleeping are different. The egress window must meet the requirements, and the egress well must supplement it.#N#Egress wells must accommodate the full opening of the egress window. The bottom area must be 9-feet square. The dimensions can be no less than 36x36-inches. A ladder or steps must be permanently placed if the well is deeper than 44-inches.#N#In the event that an egress well needs a ladder or steps, the ladder can be no narrower than 12-inches. The code requires that it not obstruct the opening of the window. It must also only reduce the minimum dimension by 6-inches or less. Basement egress windows and wells situated beneath a porch or a deck must possess at minimum clearance of 4-feet between the top of the well and the lowest point on the structural joists supporting it.
When are egress wells required in basement?
H.R. Helm. on Apr 26, 2021. Egress wells are required when installing egress windows in a basement room, in addition to the egress window requirements which apply to all new and remodeled bedrooms. Every room used for sleeping must have at least one egress window for safety purposes. There are very specific requirements for this type of window.
How big is a well ladder?
The dimensions can be no less than 36x36-inches. A ladder or steps must be permanently placed if the well is deeper than 44-inches. In the event that an egress well needs a ladder or steps, the ladder can be no narrower than 12-inches. The code requires that it not obstruct the opening of the window.
Can you use a basement window for sleeping?
In older homes and in rooms not used for sleeping, basement windows are typically quite small, not big enough for a person to use as an escape route in an emergency. Basement rooms used for sleeping are different. The egress window must meet the requirements, and the egress well must supplement it. Egress wells must accommodate the full opening ...
How deep is a window well?
If the depth of the window well is greater than 44 inches, a ladder or steps are to be provided and permanently fixed to provide access and by no means are allowed to encroach within the required window well dimensions by more than 6 inches.
How many square feet are window wells?
The area of a window well shall not be less than 9 square feet with a horizontal length/width of no less than 36 inches. This is to ensure that there will be a sufficient amount of space to allow occupants to escape or for fire fighters to enter.
What is an Egress Window?
Have you ever applied for a window permit to change out your old outdated windows with new energy efficient windows for your home only to find out that some of the windows don’t meet the window egress requirements?
How far from the wall should a ladder be from a window well?
The inside width of a ladder serving a window well shall not be less than 12 inches and must project no less than 3 inches from the wall. Vertical spacing of the rungs shall not be more than 18 inches on center.
How many inches to a window sill?
Maximum 44 inches to window sill measured from finished floor. Window wells serving an egress window shall not be less than 9 square feet in area with a horizontal length/width of no less than 36 inches. Window wells greater than 44 inches in depth requires a permanently fixed ladder or steps to provide access.
How high should a window be above the floor?
Also note that if a window is being used to meet the egress requirements, in addition to the above, the sill height of the window shall not be more than 44 inches above the finished floor.
How far apart should rungs be?
Vertical spacing of the rungs shall not be more than 18 inches on center.
How to measure a window for a well?
1. Measure the size of your window so you know how large of a well you need. Measure the height and width of your window with a tape measure so you know the dimensions. Add 8 inches (20 cm) to the height and 6 inches (15 cm) to the width measurement you took so the well can fit around the outside of the window .
What to do before digging a window well?
Contact your utility companies before you start digging to check for any power, gas, or water lines where you plan on putting the window well .
How to get gravel out of window?
Pour the gravel around the inside and outside of your window well, and pack it down with the bottom of your shovel. Spread the gravel evenly over the area so you have a 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) layer at the bottom of the hole. Make sure the layer of gravel is lower than the window sill or else it could leak into your home.
What happens if a steel well is rusted?
If the steel wells are rusted out, it is most likely that the bolts holding it to the wall are rusted into the wall. The best solution is to raise the new well above the old bolt holes, unless the new window well has different hole locations.
How to get rid of a hole in a window?
Dig a hole that's slightly wider and deeper than the well. Start your hole next to your home's foundation about 6 inches (15 cm) from the side of your window. Shovel the dirt into a wheelbarrow or tarp so it's easy to transport away from the hole.
Why do you wear safety glasses when drilling into concrete?
Wear safety glasses whenever you drill into concrete to protect your eyes.
Why do you put gravel in a window well?
The gravel will help improve the window well's drainage so water doesn't pool up or flood into your basement.
How high are window wells?
The tops of my window wells are 0" - 2" above ground level. My grass is 1" - 3 " high, so the tops of the window wells are about as high as my lawn. My window wells are the same style as yours.
How high above ground level is a well?
Obviously there may be local restrictions, but on the 4 wells I had installed last year they highest one is about 3" above the surrounding ground level.
Do you have to have a fire escape set above ground?
The installers said it is required to have it set above ground so that people do not fall in and that most people cover the wells with shrubs, but I do not recall reading this in any applicable building code and it seems like planting shrubs to cover up a fire escape seems like a generally bad idea.
How to drain a window well?
A common method to help with window well drainage is to place several inches of gravel at the bottom. This will allow the water to dissipate into the ground slowly to the weeping tile system , rather than sit in the soil next to the window. The rocks have an added benefit: they help filter debris that would work into and clog the weeping tile system. Even so, you should still clear out the debris that does accumulate in the rock a couple of times a year. If the window well is flooding, you could have a lot of gunk and debris blocking the downwards movement of water.
What Makes A Good Window Well?
A window well is a space dug out just outside a basement window, defined by plastic or ribbed metal in the shape of a “U”. It’s designed to provide some space between the window and the surrounding earth, allowing light into the below-ground portions of a building. Window wells play an important role in draining excess rainwater away from your foundation, but homeowners often do not know when a window well has been properly installed until it’s too late.
Why is a window well important?
The window well is an important part of the drainage system that protects your basement from moisture leakage. It’s especially important because windows are a common weak point for foundations, and the barrier around them can wear down over time. On many, typically older homes, these window wells are defined by a metal or plastic barrier around ...
What happens if a window well is flooded?
If the window well is flooding, you could have a lot of gunk and debris blocking the downwards movement of water. There isn’t really a minimum level of rocks in your window well, but the levels should be appropriate given the depth of it (and going deep is always better).
Can you put gravel on a metal window well?
This increases the risk of flooding and windows breakage. While it sounds too simple to be true, adding the right amount of gravel or crushed stone, along with a cover for your metal window well, can easily stop moisture from seeping into your foundation.
How big is a window well drain?
Proper window well drains are 4 inches in diameter and drain the water in the window well to the weeping tile system installed underground along the footing of the foundation walls.
How much water can a window well hold?
In a typical window well, 36 inches wide, the window well can hold approximately 15 gallons / 54 litres of water before the water rises to a level where it will pose the threat of flooding your basement. When enhanced drainage is desired, a window well drain is installed, the top of which is generally beneath the top of the gravel layer.
How to increase drainage efficiency in a window well?
Solution: Check the condition of the gravel layer and install a window well drain to increase drainage efficiency .
What is the problem with a galvanized window well?
Problem: The window well is not fastened tightly to the foundation and sediment is entering the window well cavity from between the wall and the galvanized window well. Solution: Re-position the existing window well and fasten it securely to the foundation. Problem: The window well fills up with debris and clogs the drain or obstructs drainage ...
Why are window wells not draining?
By far, most poorly draining window wells are the result of soil and debris contamination of the gravel layer in the window well. When the gravel layer is contaminated by sediment, the excellent drainage qualities of the gravel layer are lost; similarly, leaves, newspaper and plastic bags often prevent water from reaching ...
What are the two drainage provisions for a window well?
For the water that does enter a window well, there are generally two drainage provisions for dealing with accumulated water: a gravel layer and a window well drain.
What is the purpose of a window well?
The role of a window well is to prevent rainwater and surface runoff from flowing through a basement window directly into the basement. When rainwater and/or melting snow introduce a significant amount of water in proximity to a basement window, the window well contains the water and prevents the water from flowing towards the window. ...
Why do basement windows need to be in front of the window?
Since basement windows often are positioned at or below ground level, a window well is positioned directly in front of the window. This lets in sunlight as well as helps keep water from seeping into the basement through the window.
How to get pea gravel out of a wheelbarrow?
Dig the pea gravel out of the wheelbarrow with a shovel, and put the gravel in the window well. Do not pour the pea gravel into the window well since it could break the basement window.
How high should an egress window be?
The bottom of the egress window opening can't exceed 44" from the finished floor.#N#The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5.7 square feet.#N#The minimum egress window opening height is 24" high.#N#The minimum egress window opening is 20" wide.#N#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. *#N#The egress window must have a opening area of not less than 4% of the total floor area of room (s) for which it is servicing, to allow the minimum amount of natural ventilation. *#N#* Multiple windows can be used to service a single area where one window does not meet these percentages of total floor area. As long as the totaled amounts from this combination of windows meet or exceed the 8% for natural light and 4% for natural ventilation.
How much of the floor area of a room is required for an egress window?
The egress window must have a opening area of not less than 4% of the total floor area of room (s) for which it is servicing, to allow the minimum amount of natural ventilation. *. * Multiple windows can be used to service a single area where one window does not meet these percentages of total floor area. As long as the totaled amounts ...
How far can an egress ladder be from the wall?
An egress ladder or step may encroach into well up to 6". Steps and/or distance between rungs of the ladder can't exceed 18". The rungs of an egress ladder must be 12" wide or greater and must project a minimum of 3" away from the back wall, but can't exceed 6" from the back of the wall.
Why do you need a means of egress in a basement?
The reason for needing a means of egress are twofold; to allow for an exit in case of an emergency, and to provide access for a firefighter to gain entrance.
Where are egress windows required?
Egress Window Wells. Egress window wells are required where the bottom of the egress window is below ground level. The egress well must not interfere with the egress window fully opening. The distance from the egress window to the back of the Egress well must be at least 36".
Can you open an egress well without special tools?
Shall be easily opened or removed from the inside of the egress well without special tools. These requirements are intended to make sure an average, able bodied person, would be able to both fit through and lift themselves up, and out the window.
Do basements need egress?
If you have a basement that has a bedroom, recreation room, den, family room, media room, office, or home gym. All of these rooms are required to have a means of egress.
