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Clearance Sheet R2008-000568*002

 Department IssuesSigned OffIntl

R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required.

Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

Exceptions:

  1. 1.Storm shelters and basements used only to house mechanical equipment not exceeding a total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m2).

  2. 2.The emergency escape and rescue opening shall be permitted to open into a screen enclosure, open to the atmosphere, where a screen door is provided leading away from the residence.

 

 

R310.2.1 Minimum size.

Emergency and escape rescue openings shall have a net clear opening of not less than 5.7 square feet (0.530 m2). The minimum net clear opening for grade-floor emergency escape and rescue openings shall be 5 square feet (0.465 m2).

R310.2.2 Minimum dimensions.

The minimum net clear opening height dimension shall be 24 inches (610 mm). The minimum net clear opening width dimension shall be 20 inches (508 mm). The net clear opening dimensions shall be the result of normal operation of the opening.

R310.2.3 Maximum height from floor.

Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have the bottom of the clear opening not greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the flo

11/18/2025 tfitz