Firefighter Matt Fisher from Cunningham Fire Protection District (CO) sent in these photos of something he and his crew ran into. Basement egress windows are required in many areas when any area of the basement will be used as a bedroom. Well like so many other things we run into in the field, it doesn’t matter what the code says, it’s what the occupant does that we need to watch out for. In this set up the egress window is obviously present but the homeowner decided to install a bay window right on top of it essentially making it unusable for egress.
Fortunately, the galvanized tub which creates the well would not take much to defeat. A rotary saw and a set of irons could certainly make this opening usable. The key here is to defeat it immediately (depending on fire conditions) when crews begin operating in this structure, regardless of the floor of operation. If crews are on the main floor, the well should still be opened as proactive RIT. It would suck to have a brother firefighter fall through the main floor, end up in the basement, and need to egress from this blocked window.
6 thoughts on “Basement Egress”
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This obstacle is certainly easily defeatable, however one thing to keep in mind is the stability of the surrounding ground once you compromise the integrity of the tub. I’m sure there is stable ground around the tub, however be cautious of the depth of the stones surrounding it. One wrong move and you could easily turn this means of egress into a dirt and rock filled mess.
What is a basement? You mean you actually let people in rooms under a house? (Just kidding, I live in Florida and we dont have many of those – hardly any at all)
However, back on topic here, I agree with Squid. Just be careful of what might loosen up when you cut that away. It is something to at least keep mindful.
Stay Safe.
~Egan
I don’t think I would completely remove that tub, I would rather keep its integrity and cut out as much as I could flush with the grade rather than opening up a can o’ worms.
Two vertical cuts and flap down…
This is a problem I’ve seen often in new home construction, with tract developers. You sit and specify options with a sales rep, mark the floorplans with where you want windows, phone, cable TV and extra electrical outlets placed. If you or the inspectors don’t question things, this is the result.
In my 210 home development, I know of 3 such scenarios that developed and had to be remediated.
I’ve also seen handyman decks built over egress windows, where the owners elect to forgo the daylight through the window!!!!
upside down T cut pry them to the sides maybe and a mudflap down the middle? might work.. foldin the cut down could take up space, but then again folding to the side might not go as planned.