Understanding Emergency Egress

Q. I need to replace bedroom windows in my house, and am wondering about what emergency egress is and how it should impact the window style I select?

A. Emergency Egress is the ability of a window to allow for safe and easy access for exit during an emergency, such as a fire. Provincial guidelines dictate that a bedroom, in a building three-stories or less, must have a door and at least one outside window, easily opened from the inside, that provides an unobstructed opening for a person to exit during an emergency.

The most common problem with existing windows is that they can be difficult to fully open, either from infrequent maintenance and opening, panes that stick in the frame or broken components of crank mechanisms. It is a good habit to check that the physical parts and pieces of your windows are checked to be in good working condition at least every month.

Additionally, other physical obstructions can prevent the window from opening. This can be from exterior fasteners, such as clips or screws that hold a pane in place, too little space outside a window well for a person once the window is open, or mechanical parts of the window that limit or reduce the size of the opening.

When replacing bedroom windows it is crucial to first understand the minimum size requirements. The unobstructed opening must be no less than an area of 0.35m2 (3.8ft2) and dimension no less than 380mm (15in). And any security bars shall be installed so that they can be opened easily from the inside. Both sliding and casement windows provide the operational flexibility to meet emergency egress requirements.

Secondly, understand the interior placement of the window – for example height from the floor for accessibility – as well as the exterior environment to ensure that the window allows for maximum unobstructed access.