There are several options that you can use to achieve the egress requirements for a bedroom in a basement.
Basement bedroom egress window requirements alberta.
In addition the egress window requirements for basements specifies that they be at least 36 inches in height and width with a fully functioning opening.
It must be at least 5 7 square feet that is at least 20 inches wide by 24 inches high with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor.
The 2014 alberta building code abc 2014 states the following for bedroom windows and window wells.
The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5 7 square feet.
46 cm above the bedroom or basement 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.
Egress requirements as per national building code 2010.
38 cm in dimension.
Walk out basement walk out basements provide the most flexibility for building a bedroom in the basement.
You can arrange the bedroom so that one of the exterior walls has a properly sized egress window or exterior door in it.
Basement egress window requirements.
Installed security bars on basement or bedroom egress windows must be able to be easily removed from inside the home.
Provide ventilation adequate for year round mechanical ventilation.
The bottom of the egress window opening can t exceed 44 from the finished floor.
When a door is being used to meet the egress requirements it must be either a side hinged door or a slider.
Egress windows or doors for bedrooms except where the suite is sprinklered each bedroom or combination bedroom shall have at least one outside window or exterior door openable from the inside without the use of keys tools or special knowledge and without the removal of sashes or hardware.
You must be able to do so without the use of additional tools or complicated instructions.
An awning style window may pose a challenge in maintaining this clearance and it could interfere with the occupant s ability to exit through the window well.
Provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 0 35m 542 5 in in area with no dimension less than 380mm 15in and maintain the required opening during an emergency without the need for additional support.
See appendix a building inspection services.
If a window opens into a window well a clearance of at least 760 mm 30 between the window and the wall of the window well is required.
Egress windows must be more than 1 5 feet ca.
The national building code of canada nbcc states that bedroom windows must meet the following requirements.
The minimum egress window opening is 20 wide.
Provide a minimum of 5 percent light for the floor area of the room.
Bedroom or basement egress windows must be no less than 15 inches ca.
If a window well is required it must be out from the window at least 760 mm about 30 to provide safe passage.
Window egress into window well.
All of these rooms are required to have a means of egress.
