Are There Building Codes I Need To Meet?

If your home is required to meet egress (emergency escape) codes, your window well installation could be affected. You are generally required to meet egress if you are or are planning on renting your home basement out, or if you are doing a full basement remodel. Contact your city building office if you are not sure. The following code may provide some understanding, but is not meant to be your final resource.

****Please let us know if you need to meet egress codes at the time of your quote so we can make sure your new window wells and ladders will comply.****

Building Planning Codes
IRC Code Section R310

R310.2 Window wells. The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 square feet, with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches. The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.

Exception: The ladder or steps required by SectionR310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches (152 mm) into the required dimensions of the window well.

R310.2.1 Ladder and steps. Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be required to comply with Sections R311.5 and R311.6. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches (305 mm), shall project at least 3 inches (76 mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center vertically for the full height of the window well