R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required. Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court providing an unobstructed path with a width of not less than 36 inches (914 mm) that opens to a public way.
EXCEPTIONS: | 1. Storm shelters and basements used only to house mechanical equipment not exceeding a total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m). |
| 2. Where the dwelling unit or townhouse unit is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section P2904, sleeping rooms in basements shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings provided that the basement has one of the following: |
| 2.1. One means of egress complying with Section R311 and one emergency escape and rescue opening. |
| 2.2. Two means of egress complying with Section R311. |
R310.1.1 Operational constraints and opening control devices. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools, or special knowledge. Window opening control devices on windows serving as a required emergency escape and rescue opening shall be not more than 70 inches (177.8 cm) above the finished floor and shall comply with ASTM F2090.
R310.2.4 Emergency escape and rescue openings under decks and porches. Emergency escape and rescue openings installed under decks and porches shall be fully openable and provided with an unobstructed pathway of not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height, 36 inches (914 mm) in width, and no greater than 60 inches (1524 mm) in length that opens to a yard or court. The pathway shall be measured from the exterior face of the glazed opening, or if the glazed opening is in a window well, at the window well wall furthest from the exterior face of the glazed opening.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
19.27.031 and
19.27.074. WSR 20-21-041, § 51-51-03100, filed 10/13/20, effective 11/13/20; WSR 20-03-023, § 51-51-03100, filed 1/6/20, effective 7/1/20.]