1104.25 Escape Windows

In Group R and Group I-1 occupancies, escape windows shall be provided, installed, and maintained in rooms used for sleeping below the fourth story. A readily accessible escape window shall be provided from basement levels occupied as a licensed family or group family child care home. Escape windows shall be in accordance with this section.

Emergency escape windows are not required for the following conditions:

1. If the room has a door that leads directly to the exterior of the building.
2. In dwellings and structures constructed prior to July 1, 1972, provided they are not licensed by Minnesota or used for transient lodging.
3. If the building is protected throughout by an approved, automatic sprinkler system.
4. From rooms of existing buildings having two separate means of escape, provided that the means of escape are independent of each other and they pass through only one adjacent nonlockable room or area.
5. In Group R hotels or motels constructed prior to April 11, 1983.

Escape window openings shall have a minimum net clear opening area of 4.5 square feet (648 square inches). Opening height and width dimensions shall not be less than 20 inches.

The maximum height from the floor to the window sill opening shall not exceed 48 inches.

Per SFMD Policy. Escape windows with openings up to 52 inches off of the floor may meet the height requirement for existing buildings by securing a step, platform or bed to the wall directly underneath the window. This step, platform or bed shall be no more than 44 inches below the opening and must be strong enough to support the weight of the person. The minimum acceptable width shall be the same as the window opening. The minimum acceptable depth away from the wall shall be 18 inches. Use this link to locate this policy: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/fire-code/Pages/Fire-Code-Homepage.aspx.

Emergency escape windows are allowed to be installed under decks and porches provided the location of the deck allows the emergency escape window to be fully opened and provides a path not less than 36 inches in height to a yard or court.

An escape window opening with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground level shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Sections 1104.25.5 through 1104.25.5.2.

The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 square feet with a minimum dimension of 36 inches. The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.

Window wells with a vertical depth of more than 44 inches shall be equipped with an approved permanently affixed ladder or steps. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches, shall project at least 3 inches from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches on center vertically for the full height of the window well. The ladder or steps shall not encroach into the required dimensions of the window well by more than 6 inches. The ladder or steps shall not be obstructed by the emergency escape and rescue opening. Ladders or steps required by this section are exempt from the stairway requirements of Section 1009.