ad-2010-00276_0002.jpg BUILDING PLANNING
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and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to SECTION R311
\ a yard or court that opens to a public way. MEANS OF EGRESS
' Exception: Basements used only to house mechanical R311.1 General. Stairways, ramps, exterior egress balconies,
equipment and not exceeding total floor area of 200 square hallways and doors shall comply with this section.
l r� feet (18.58 m2). R311.2 Construction.
R310.1.1 Minimum opening area. All emergency escape R311.2.1 Attachment. Required exterior egress balconies,
' and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear open- exterior exit stairways and similar means of egress
ing of 5.7 square feet (0.530 m2). components shall be positively anchored to the primary
Exception: Grade floor openings shall have a minimum structure to resist both vertical and lateral forces. Such
net clear opening of 5 square feet (0.465 m 2) . attachment shall not be accomplished by use of toenails or
R310.1.2 Minimum opening height. The minimum net nails subject to withdrawal.
clear opening height shall be 24 inches (610 mm). 8311.2.2 Under stair protection. Enclosed accessible space
under stairs shall have walls, under stair surface and any sof-
R310.1.3 Minimum opening width. The minimum net fits protected on the enclosed side with (13 mm) gyp -
clear opening width shall be 20 inches (508 mm). sum board.
R310.1.4 Operational constraints. Emergency escape and R311.3 Hallways. The minimum width of a hallway shall be
I rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the not less than 3 feet (914 mm).
room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge. R311.4 Doors.
R310.2 Window wells. The minimum horizontal area of the R311.4.1 Exit door required. Not less than one exit door
window well shall be 9 square feet (0.9 m ), with a minimum
conforming to this section shall he provided for each dwell -
horizontal projection and width of 36 inches (914 mm). The
area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and ing unit. The required exit door shall provide for direct
rescue opening to be fully opened. access from the habitable portions of the dwelling to the
exterior without requiring travel through a garage. Access to
Exception: The ladder or steps required by Section R310.2.1 habitable levels not having an exit in accordance with this
shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches (152 section shall be by a ramp in accordance with Section
mm) into the required dimensions of the window well. R311.6 or a stairway in accordance with Section R311.5.
R310.2.1 Ladder and steps. Window wells with a vertical R311.4.2 Door type and size. The required exit door shall
depth greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall be equipped be a side - hinged door not less than 3 feet (914 mm) in width
with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the and 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) in height. Other doors shall
window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required not be required to comply with these minimum dimensions.
by this section shall not be required to comply with Sections R311.4.3 Landings at doors. There shall be a floor or land -
R311.5 and R311.6. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside ing on each side of each exterior door. The floor or landing
width of at least 12 inches (305 mm), shall project at least 3 at the exterior door shall not be more than 1.5 inches (38
inches (76 mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not more mm) lower than the top of the threshold. The landing shall
than inches (457 mm) on center vertically for the full be permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 unit vertical
height t of the window well. in 12 units horizontal (2- percent).
R310.3 Bulkhead enclosures. Bulkhead enclosures shall pro- Exceptions:
vide direct access to the basement. The bulkhead enclosure with
the door panels in the fully open position shall provide the mini- 1. Where a stairway of two or fewer risers is located
mum net clear opening required by Section R310.1.1. Bulkhead on the exterior side of a door, other than the
enclosures shall also comply with Section R311.5.8.2. required exit door, a landing is not required for the
exterior side of the door provided the door, other
R310.4 Bars, grilles, covers and screens. Bars, grilles, cov- than an exterior storm or screen door does not
ers, screens or similar devices are permitted to be placed over swing over the stairway.
emergency escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclosures,
or window wells that serve such openings, provided the mini- 2. The exterior landing at an exterior doorway shall
mum net clear opening size complies with Sections R310.1.1 not be more than 7 inches (196 mm) below the
to R310.1.3, and such devices shall be releasable or removable top of the threshold, provided the door, other than
I from the inside without the use of a key, tool, special knowl- an exterior storm or screen door does not swing
edge or force greater than that which is required for normal over the landing.
operation of the escape and rescue opening. 3. The height of floors at exterior doors other than the
R310.5 Emergency escape windows under decks and exit door required by Section R311.4.1 shall not be
porches. Emergency escape windows are allowed to be more than 7 inches (186 mm) lower than the top
installed under decks and porches provided the location of the of the threshold.
- deck allows the emergency escape window to be fully opened The width of each landing shall not be less than the door
and provides a path not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height served. Every landing shall have a minimum dimension of
to a yard or court. 36 inches (914 mm) measured in the direction of travel.
2006 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE 53
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