Basements and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue window or exterior door leading directly to a public street, public alley, yard or court.
All egress windows shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet. (Exception: Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.0 square feet.)
The minimum net clear opening height for an egress window shall be 24 inches.
The minimum net clear opening width for an egress window shall be 20 inches.
The finished sill height of an egress window shall not be more than 44 inches above the finished floor.
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 egress window to be fully opened.
Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders, rungs, or steps shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches, shall project at least 3 inches from the wall and be spaced not more than 18 inches on center vertically for the full height of the window well.
Please refer below for a diagram on emergency escape and rescue openings/egress windows.
Email the Inspection Division: inspections@city.ames.ia.us
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