Egress windows are a type of window that serves as a point of exit in the event of a fire or an emergency. While great to have for any homeowner, they are most commonly associated with homeowners who are setting up a legal basement apartment or secondary suite in their home.
The most important element of an egress window is to allow for an exit point for an occupant, they also must have the ability to be easily opened from the interior unit without requiring any keys or tools. For a window to be considered an egress window, the Ontario Building Code requires the following specifications to be met:
- Openable from the inside without using tools
- The opening must have a minimum area of 0.35 m²
- Each dimension (side) must be at least 380 mm
- Must be able to remain open without any extra support
- The sill height of the window cannot be higher than 1 m (unless in a basement)
- If the window is a sliding window, then the opened portion of the window must be 0.35 m² as well
Along with egress windows having specific requirements, there are additional considerations for landlords and homeowners looking to create a rental unit. This is mainly because egress windows for rental units are most commonly in a basement, and as such, are within a window well on the exterior of the house.
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The building code specifications for egress windows in window wells are:
- If the egress window opens into a window well, there must be an opening of 550 mm in between your window and the window well.
- If your window has a sash that swings towards the well, then it cannot reduce the clearance in a way that would prevent a safe exit.
- If your window well has a cover, then it must be openable from the inside without any tools, keys, or special knowledge.
While seemingly exhaustive, a prudent homeowner who is attempting to set up a legal basement apartment must take egress windows very seriously as they are one of the primary concerns in complying with the Ontario Fire Code and the Ontario Building Code.
If you are planning to set up a legal basement apartment in your home or looking to purchase a home with the intention of setting up a legal basement apartment, you can contact us and we can assist you to ensure that everything is done right!