What does Egress mean?

In basement terms, egress simply means a safe, legal way to get out, especially in an emergency such as a fire.

More specifically, basement egress usually refers to:

🔹 Egress = Emergency Exit

An egress point is:

• A door or window that allows a person to escape the basement directly to the outside
• Large enough for a person and a firefighter to fit through
• Easily accessible without tools or keys

🔹 Why it matters

• Building codes require egress if a basement has:
  • A bedroom
  • Or is being counted as habitable living space
• It is about life safety, not aesthetics or convenience

🔹 Typical basement egress options

• Egress window (most common)
  • Opens fully
  • Meets minimum size requirements
  • Usually includes a window well if below grade
• Exterior door (walk-out basement)
• Bulkhead door (only if it meets code)

🔹 What makes a window "egress compliant"

• Minimum opening size of 5.7 square feet
• Minimum opening width of 20 inches
• Minimum opening height of 24 inches
• Maximum sill height of 44 inches off the floor

🔹 Plain-English version

If someone were sleeping in the basement and a fire blocked the stairs, could they get out safely on their own?

If yes → egress.

If no → no egress.