General Requirements

Where Required (R310.1)

  • Basements, habitable attics, and every sleeping room designated on construction documents must have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening
  • Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms: each sleeping room requires an opening
  • Openings must lead directly into a public way, or to a yard or court having minimum width of 36 inches that opens to a public way
  • Yard not required to open directly into public way if yard opens to unobstructed path (minimum 36 inches wide) from yard to public way

Exceptions:

  1. Storm shelters and basements used only for mechanical equipment with total floor area not exceeding 200 square feet (R310.1)
  2. Where dwelling unit or townhouse unit is equipped with automatic sprinkler system (Section P2904), sleeping rooms in basements do not require emergency escape and rescue openings if basement has one of the following:
    • One means of egress (Section R311) and one emergency escape and rescue opening
    • Two means of egress (Section R311)

Sizing Requirements

Minimum Net Clear Opening Area (R310.2.1)

  • Standard requirement: 5.7 square feet
  • Grade floor openings: 5.0 square feet

Minimum Net Clear Opening Dimensions (R310.2.2)

  • Minimum net clear opening height: 24 inches
  • Minimum net clear opening width: 20 inches
  • Net clear opening dimensions must be result of normal operation of the opening

Placement & Positioning

Maximum Height From Floor (R310.2.3)

  • Maximum height of bottom of clear opening: 44 inches above the floor

Location (R310.1)

  • Must open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way
  • Yard or court must have minimum width of 36 inches

Operability

Operation Requirements (R310.1.1)

  • Must be operational from inside the room
  • No keys, tools, or special knowledge required for operation
  • Window opening control devices and fall prevention devices complying with ASTM F2090 are permitted
  • Control/prevention devices must not be more than 70 inches above finished floor

Area Wells

When Required (R310.4)

  • Required when bottom of clear opening is below adjacent grade

Minimum Dimensions (R310.4.1)

  • Minimum horizontal area: 9 square feet
  • Minimum horizontal projection: 36 inches
  • Minimum width: 36 inches
  • Must allow the emergency escape opening to be fully opened

Exception: Ladders or steps may encroach a maximum of 6 inches into required dimensions

Ladder and Step Requirements (R310.4.2)

  • Required when: Area well vertical depth exceeds 44 inches
  • Must be approved and permanently affixed
  • Ladder or steps must not be obstructed by emergency escape opening when in open position
  • Ladders/steps not required to comply with Section R311.7

Ladder Specifications (R310.4.2.1)

  • Minimum inside width: 12 inches
  • Minimum projection from wall: 3 inches
  • Maximum vertical spacing: 18 inches on center

Step Specifications (R310.4.2.1)

  • Minimum inside width: 12 inches
  • Minimum tread depth: 5 inches
  • Maximum riser height: 18 inches

Drainage (R310.4.3)

  • Area wells must be designed for proper drainage by connecting to building's foundation drainage system (Section R405.1)

Exception: Drainage not required where foundation is on well-drained soil or sand-gravel mixture soils (Group I Soils per Table R405.1)

Emergency Escape and Rescue Doors

General Requirements (R310.3)

  • Where a door serves as required emergency escape and rescue opening, it must be side-hinged or sliding door

Bars, Grilles, Covers & Screens

Permitted With Conditions (R310.4.4)

  • May be placed over emergency escape openings, bulkhead enclosures, or area wells
  • Must maintain minimum net clear opening sizes (per R310.2 through R310.2.2 and R310.4.1)
  • Must be releasable or removable from inside
  • No keys, tools, or excessive force required
  • Force required must not exceed that needed for normal operation of the opening

Special Conditions

Under Decks and Porches (R310.2.4)

  • Emergency escape and rescue openings installed under decks, porches, and cantilevers must be:
    • Fully openable
    • Provide path at least 36 inches in height and 36 inches in width to a yard or court

Replacement Windows (R310.5)

  • Replacement windows are exempt from Sections R310.2 and R310.4.4 when:
    1. Window is manufacturer's largest standard size that fits existing frame or rough opening, AND is same operating style as existing or provides equal or greater opening area
    2. Replacement is not part of a change of occupancy

Dwelling Additions (R310.6)

  • New sleeping rooms in additions require emergency escape and rescue openings
  • New basements in additions require emergency escape and rescue openings

Exceptions:

  • Not required in new basement containing sleeping room with its own opening
  • Not required in new basement when existing basement has opening accessed from new basement
  • Operable window complying with Section R310.7.1 is acceptable as emergency escape and rescue opening

Alterations or Repairs of Existing Basements (R310.7)

  • New sleeping rooms created in existing basement must have emergency escape and rescue openings per R310.1
  • Other alterations or repairs do not require emergency escape and rescue opening

Exception: Operable window complying with Section R310.7.1 is acceptable as emergency escape and rescue opening

Existing Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings (R310.7.1)

  • Where change of occupancy requires emergency escape and rescue opening per R310.1, operable windows serving as emergency escape opening must comply with:
    1. Existing operable window must provide minimum net clear opening height of 22 inches and minimum net clear opening width of 20 inches
    2. Replacement window complying with both:
      • Window meets size requirements in Item 1
      • Window is manufacturer's largest standard-size that fits existing frame or rough opening; may be same operating style or style providing equal or greater opening area

Note: Building codes are adopted at county and municipal levels in Delaware. Always verify current code requirements with your local county building inspector, as local amendments may apply.