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City of Hopkins • Inspections • Building Inspections • Windows I Egress Windows Page 3 of 5 <br /> overall height. <br /> This height requirement makes it undesirable for most basement egress situations. <br /> Awning windows are problematic. Since the <br /> opened sash prevents escape from most window _ <br /> wells,theyre unsuitable for basement egress. <br /> And with most awning windows,the center <br /> opening hardware and height don't met egress <br /> requirements. Some manufacturers offer models <br /> with special detachable operators that meets <br /> egress requirements. <br /> Why don't my windows meet egress <br /> requirements? <br /> Some older homes were built before there were <br /> any egress window requirements. Many more homes were built when the egress <br /> window net free opening size was 5 sq.ft.Yet even newer homes often lack proper <br /> egress windows.Attics and basements were often legally remodeled into family rooms <br /> or offices(which didn't require egress windows)then later converted into bedrooms <br /> (which now do require them). When bedrooms are added to basements without the <br /> knowledge of inspectors • q <br /> and without the requisite <br /> egress window,they <br /> create a dangerous r <br /> underground firetrap. <br /> During remodeling, ' <br /> homeowners often <br /> unwittingly replace large <br /> P 9 <br /> egress windows with . <br /> smaller, non-egress <br /> windows And while the j <br /> code will require egress <br /> windows be installed when z.=„aroma , <br /> bedrooms are added on, <br /> they won't necessarily • X <br /> dictate that windows in <br /> existing bedrooms be ��. ` <br /> enlarged to egress size; <br /> its simply too difficult toy <br /> v. <br /> ^ 'mlirSYtCE <br /> monitor every situation. :Eso %ooa <br /> m �. �aLN <br /> Required or not, egress Y <br /> windows are crucial '� Kwmtr�' <br /> �`oPw�asntuesEo`� <br /> lifesaving equipment. If '” �A� ntsrae <br /> room has even the remote <br /> possibility of later <br /> becoming a bedroom, <br /> include an egress size window. <br /> Basement Egress Windows <br /> Basement egress windows present an added <br /> challenge. Besides the height,width and <br /> overall square-footage requirements that the <br /> window must meet,there are certain <br /> requirements for the window well surrounding <br /> the window ; <br /> Window wells must. i a <br /> • Allow the rescue window opening to be fully ` <br /> opened. u .° <br /> • Provide 9 sq. ft. of"floor area,"with a - <br /> minimum dimension of 36 in. in width and in caw ag is ' <br /> length. NMI3"de <br /> • Contain a permanently affixed ladder or <br /> steps for climbing out if the window well <br /> depth exceeds 44 inches in depth.The <br /> ladder must be at least 12 in.wide and <br /> project no less than 3 in. from the window <br /> well. It can't be obstructed by the open <br /> window or encroach on the required <br /> http://www.hopkinsmn.com/inspections/building/windows/egresswindows.html 7/20/2005 <br />