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An egress window is an emergency exit window. “Egress” in the general sense refers to the act of leaving or going out. In construction terminology, it refers to an exit. So essentially, you could say that an egress window is an exit window. If you’re trying to look up building codes that talk about “exits,” you’ll notice that “egress” is often used.
Why Are Egress Windows So Important?
The first and foremost reason why egress windows are important is as a fire safety measure. Most homes only have a few outside doors. If there’s a nighttime fire in the hallway outside your room that blocks your path to a door, your bedroom can go from a peaceful sanctuary to a death trap in a matter of minutes—unless you have an egress window. With an egress window, you can escape directly to the outdoors, safe from the lethal carbon monoxide and searing heat of the flames.
Why Basements Are Especially Dangerous During a Fire
The number one reason basements are especially dangerous during a fire is because they tend to have fewer escape options. There may be only one or two stairways, and perhaps a small window or two near the basement ceiling. If the stairs are blocked by the fire and there’s no ladder close by to access the small window, you’re in a death trap scenario.
Another reason basements can be especially dangerous is that it’s more likely for a fire in the upper part of the home to go undetected for a longer period of time. The fire might be quite large on the first or second floor of a home by the time enough smoke reaches the basement to trigger an alarm.
For these reasons, egress windows are especially important in basements.
Where to Place a Basement Egress Window
Bedroom Egress Windows
If any of your family members sleep in the basement, you’ll want to have an egress window in their bedroom. This gives them the maximum escape opportunity in case of a fire or other emergency. In addition, most building codes require an egress window in every basement bedroom.
Living Area and Office Egress Windows
Many people underutilize their basements because their basement essentially feels like a dark hole. If you use your basement for entertaining or as an office, having an egress window well is a great way to enjoy more natural light. In this case, you might choose to place your egress window well in an open area of your basement to provide as much natural light as possible.
Conclusion
Bottom line, an egress window is an escape window. They are especially important in basements for the safety and well-being of your family. Don’t allow a family member to sleep in the basement without an egress window well in their room.