Awning style windows for example opening into a window well typically won’t work because they tend to obstruct clear passage unless the window well is unusually large. If a window well is required, it must be out from the window at least 550mm (about 22″) to provide safe passage. If the window referred to in Sentence (1) is provided with security bars, the security bars shall be operable from the inside without the use of any tools or special knowledge.The window referred to in Sentence (1) shall provide and unobstructed opening of not less than 0.35 m² (542 in² or 3.8 ft²) in area with no dimension less than 380 mm (15 inches), and maintain the required opening during an emergency without the need for additional support.Except where the suite has a sprinkler, each bedroom or combination bedroom shall have at least one outside window or exterior door operable from the inside without the use of key, tools or special knowledge and without the removal of sashes or hardware.The specific requirements are as follows: establishes the general requirement that all bedrooms must have at least one window that is large enough to be used as an exit in an emergency. Emergency Escape: An Emergency Escape requires that each bedroom must have a door that leads directly to the exterior of the building or have a properly-sized egress window that can be opened from the inside without the use of keys, tools, hardware or special knowledge (unless this bedroom has a sprinkler system installed).Ventilation (at least 0.28m² or 3 ft² or an adequate year-round mechanical ventilation).Light (at least five per cent of the floor area served).The National Building Code of Canada (NBCC), on which the Provincial Codes are based, has very clear requirements as it relates to bedroom windows and how the bedroom window serves three distinct purposes in the home: There is always some interpretation involved in Ontario Building Codes and Fire Codes, so to be safe consult with the Inspection Department and Fire Department prior to starting construction.īasement Exit Window Bedroom – National Building Code As with any building project, a proper building permit is required and your drawings will be required to show location and size of windows. The requirement for a properly-sized bedroom window has been around since 1980 and subsequent code changes since then have made it even easier to understand how a bedroom egress window is defined.
( National Building Code does require a window in each bedroom ) Although there are requirements for light and ventilation, this is not part of exit requirements. The biggest mistake I find people make is stating that each bedroom requires an “EXIT WINDOW”. This type of confusion is encountered a lot when individuals, without any formal training, start advising home buyers on Building Code requirements when purchasing a home.
Although I have written a number of articles on this subject I still come across Realtor’s who will offer their opinion on Requirements for Basement Windows based on “hearsay” vs the facts of the Ontario Building Code. Where a basement exit window is required confuses many people with many different thoughts on what is acceptable.
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