Connecticut Egress Window Code
A window must meet certain requirements to pass the state of Connecticut's egress window code. This building code ensures inhabitants have a second means of exit from a basement living space, in the event of an emergency.
Make sure that your new egress window meets the Connecticut egress window requirements by using our Egress Window Calculator and by purchasing from a trusted company like The Great Egress Company.
What are the Connecticut Egress Window Requirements?
- The window must be openable from the inside without the use of keys, tools, or special knowledge.
- If there is more than one sleeping room in a basement, a means of egress is required in each sleeping room.
- It must provide an unobstructed opening with a minimum area of 5.7 sq. ft. (This requirement drops to 5 sq. ft. for grade floor or below grade openings).
- The height of the clear opening must be at least 24" and the width must be at least 20".
- The sill height must not be more than 44" above the floor.
- If the sill height is below grade, the window must have a window well.
- If required, the window well must be at least 9 sq. ft. in an area with a horizontal projection and a width of at least 36" each.
- Window wells deeper than 44" must have permanent steps or a ladder that do not impede the opening of the window.
What are Egress Windows?
Egress means to go out. Egress windows are windows you can use to leave your home. While they may seem like a regulatory burden, these windows furnish occupants with natural light, provide a source of ventilation, and can become a lifesaver in an emergency.
For example, if there is a fire in your home, a single stairwell may become unusable, leaving family members and tenants without a clear path to safety. For bedrooms on floors with multiple doors that lead directly outside, these windows are not strictly necessary. This is because there are clear escape routes that can be taken in the case of an emergency.
In basements, egress windows are essential and, if there is a bedroom, they are required by law in the State of Connecticut.
The Connecticut State Building Code
Section 1030: Emergency Escape and Rescue.
1030.1 General.
In addition to the means of egress required by this chapter, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be provided in the following occupancies:
1. Group R-2 occupancies located in stories with only one exit or access to only one exit as permitted by Tables 1006.3.2(1) and 1006.3.2(2) shown below.
2. Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies.
Basements and sleeping rooms below the fourth story above grade plane shall have not fewer than one exterior emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with this section. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Such openings shall open directly into a public way or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
Exceptions:
1. Basements with a ceiling height of less than 80" shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings.
2. Emergency escape and rescue openings are not required from basements or sleeping rooms that have an exit door or exit access door that opens directly into a public way or to a yard, court or exterior exit balcony that opens to a public way.
3. Basements without habitable spaces and having not more than 200 sq. ft. in floor area shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings.
4. Within individual dwelling and sleeping units in Groups R-2 and R-3, where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3, sleeping rooms in basements shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings provided that the basement has one of the following:
4.1 One means of egress and one emergency escape and rescue opening.
4.2 Two means of egress.
1030.1.1 Operational Constraints and Opening Control Devices.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from inside the room without the use of keys or tools. Window-opening control devices complying with ASTM F2090 shall be permitted for use on windows serving as a required emergency escape and rescue opening.
1030.1.2 Group E Occupancies.
In Group E occupancies, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be provided in every room or space greater than 250 sq. ft. used for classroom or educational purposes or normally subject to student occupancy.
Exceptions:
1. Buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
2. Rooms or spaces that have a door leading directly to the outside of the building.
1030.1.3 Group I-4 Occupancies.
In Group I-4 occupancies, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be provided in every room or space greater than 250 sq. ft. normally subject to client occupancy.
Exceptions:
1. Buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
2. Rooms or spaces that have a door leading directly to the outside of the building.
1030.2 Minimum Size.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft.
Exception: The minimum net clear opening for grade-floor emergency escape and rescue openings shall be 5 sq. ft.
1030.2.1 Minimum Dimensions.
The minimum net clear opening height dimension shall be 24". The minimum net clear opening width dimension shall be 20". The net clear opening dimensions shall be the result of normal operation of the opening.
Windows A and B meet all of the area and dimensions requirements and would pass egress in Connecticut. Window C, while meeting the dimension requirements, does not meet the area requirement and would not pass egress.
Exception: In existing buildings undergoing a change of occupancy to Group R-1 bed and breakfast establishments, the net clear opening dimensions may be obtained by removal of the sash without the use of a key or tool provided that the instructions for the removal of the sash are clearly posted on the inside of the guest room door.
Windows D and E meet all of the area and dimensions requirements for floor grade and below grade window openings in Connecticut.
1030.3 Maximum Height From Floor.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have the bottom of the clear opening not greater than 44" measured from the floor.
Exception: In an existing building undergoing a change of use, the 44" maximum height may be measured vertically above a fixed, permanent platform, step or steps whose minimum width shall equal or exceed the operable width of the opening and shall be centered on such opening. Any stairs or steps shall comply with Section 1011.5.
1030.4 Operational Constraints.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools. Bars, grilles, grates or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings provided the minimum net clear opening size complies with Section 1030.2 and such devices shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool or force greater than that which is required for normal operation of the emergency escape and rescue opening. Where such bars, grilles, grates or similar devices are installed in existing buildings, smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with Section 907.2.11 regardless of the valuation of the alteration.
1030.5 Window Wells.
An emergency escape and rescue opening with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground level shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Sections 1030.5.1 and 1030.5.2.
1030.5.1 Minimum Size.
The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 sq. ft. with a minimum dimension of 36". The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.
1030.5.2 Ladders or Steps.
Window wells with a vertical depth of more than 44" shall be equipped with an approved permanently affixed ladder or steps. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12", shall project at least 3" from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18" on center (o.c.) 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". 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 1011.
Complying With Connecticut Egress Window Code
To put it simply, if you are renovating your basement in Connecticut, you will need an egress window that has a wide clearance and can be easily opened.
The Great Egress Company provides a curated collection of windows that meet egress window requirements in Connecticut. The easiest way to get your hands on a code-compliant egress window is to let us ship one straight to your door. Have a look for yourself.
Our windows come in several types and sizes that will pass the egress window code in Connecticut. Contact our team if you have additional egress window questions.