Wisconsin UDC Egress Window Requirements
Where are egress windows required?
Egress windows are typically used as emergency exits from bedrooms.
First floor
If the 2nd exit door from the main level isn’t at least 32” wide (30” opening for patio doors) then bedrooms on the first floor shall have at least one egress window.
Second floor
At least 2 exits shall be provided from the second floor. One of these exits shall be a stairway or ramp and lead to the first floor or discharge to grade. The second exit may be:
· Via a stairway or ramp which discharges to grade or may discharge to a balcony.
· Via an egress window in each bedroom
Above the second floor
At least 2 exits shall be provided for each habitable floor above the second floor. The exits shall be located such that in case any exit is blocked some other exit will still be accessible to the second floor. The exits shall be stairways or ramps that lead to the second floor or discharge to grade.
Exits from Lofts
At least one stairway exit shall be provided, to the floor below, for a loft exceeding 400 square feet in area. Lofts less than 400 square feet shall have either a stairway or ladder exit to the floor below. Lofts are defined as an upper room or floor which has at least 50% of the common wall open to the floor below
Basements and ground floors
All basements and ground floors shall be provided with at least one exit of the following type:
· Door to the exterior of the dwelling
· Stairway or ramp that leads to the floor above
Basements and ground floors used for sleeping shall be provided with at least 2 exits. The exits shall be as far apart as practical, and the exits may not be accessed from the same ramp or stairway. The second exit may be one of the following:
· A door to the exterior of the dwelling
· A stairway or ramp that leads to the floor above
· A stairway that leads to a garage provided the garage has an exit door other than the overhead door
· An egress window in each bedroom
When is a window well (areaway) required?
An egress window with any point of clear opening below adjacent grade shall be provided with an areaway
What is required for an areaway used for egress?
· The width of the areaway shall be at least equal to the width of the window
· The areaway shall be a minimum of 36” measured perpendicular from the outer surface of the below-grade wall.
· If the bottom of the areaway is more than 46 inches below adjacent grade or the top of the areaway enclosure, the areaway shall be provided with a ladder or at least one additional step to aid egress
· Ladders or steps used may infringe on the required area of the areaway a maximum of 6 inches
· The areaway shall be constructed such that water entering the areaway does not enter the dwelling.
Areaways are available at Johnson Lumber Co.
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