What is an egress window?
An egress window is a window sized and positioned to meet building code requirements for emergency escape from sleeping rooms, basements, and certain other spaces, with minimum opening dimensions and maximum sill heights.
Building codes across Connecticut require egress windows in bedrooms and basements to provide a second means of exit in case of fire or other emergencies. An egress window must meet specific dimensional standards: a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet for most spaces (or 5 square feet in some jurisdictions), a minimum width of 20 inches, and a maximum sill height of 44 inches above the floor. These dimensions ensure that emergency personnel can enter to assist occupants, and occupants can exit safely without having to navigate through blocked hallways or doors.
Egress windows are typically installed in bedrooms, finished basements, and any sleeping room in a dwelling. Installing one correctly requires attention to the window frame size, the structural opening in the wall, and sometimes the installation of an egress well (a staircase or sloped surface below ground-level windows that allows access). Framers and installers who work on new construction and renovations must verify that window placements meet local code before framing is closed in. Failing an inspection for missing or undersized egress windows can delay certificate of occupancy and require expensive remediation.