We are looking into renovating our basement. There is currently no windows, only french doors to the outside.
To put bedrooms downstairs do you need windows or do you only need 2 exits out of a room?
Hi Heather:
The building code states that you must have an e gress window out of any bedroom. There must be an outside entrance directly to the bedroom, whether it be a doorway or e-gress window.
An e-gress window is one that measures 2'6" by 2'6" and of course is an opener. If you are below ground level, I would imagine that your particular area has a size requirement for the window well.
Best to check with them.
Chuck
Yes you will need windows.
Your best bet is to get a designer and have them get you a permit drawing.
Yes need windows. Refer to your city building code what is the min size and window well to do it proper.
Hope this help.
Manny
You would require a window proportionate to the size of the bedroom(s) to allow acceptable egress in the event of a fire.
Hope this answers your question.
You need a window in the bedroom!
Are you planing to rent this space?
Check local codes and do not listen to anybody who has a different idea than what is in code book.
Check with your local municipal building codes, but in Calgary you need a window with the proper egress.
A window needs to be big enough to get out of but also large enough for a fireman to get into. They feel that after a couple of minutes a person would be over come with smoke and would not be able to escape.
To calculate egress size it is (length in inches x height in inches) divided by 144 of opened window. It needs to equal larger than 3.80 (in Calgary) to be large enough.
Hello
Two exits out of the room is good but for light and safety reasons it is recommended to put in a window. You will also want a window in the summer for fresh air.
Thanks
Joe
Every bedroom in a basement needs to have an egress window by code. The minimum size the window opening should be 18"x18", and should not be more than 4'5" off floor to the bottom of window.
Consider if you need to cut through concrete, wood, and/or what type of siding is on the exterior of the house, to add the windows.
Yes, you will require a window with a minimum of 3.2sqft of egress if you will refer to that space as a bedroom.
Thanks
Code calls for a window in each bedroom. Must be big enough to get out in case of fire.
This doc says code in Ontario says you need an egress window somewhere in the basement, NOT necessarily in the bedroom. How do I confirm this for Pickering?
http://maynehomeinspection.com/uploads/3/2/5/9/3259442/basement_egress_windows.pdf
This doc says code in Ontario says you need an egress window somewhere in the basement, NOT necessarily in the bedroom. How do I confirm this for Pickering?
http://maynehomeinspection.com/uploads/3/2/5/9/3259442/basement_egress_windows.pdf
To my understanding the Ontario building code for basement bedrooms calls for an egress window or a door to the exterior on the SAME LEVEL as the bedroom so an exterior door from the basement should supersede the bedroom window.
But this for Ontario only as I understand it.
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