Unfortunately, home emergencies do occur, and there is no time for complicated egress from a basement in an urgent situation. Basement egress is the ability for occupants to exit from the basement by a means other than the inside stairway. Lives have been lost, and injuries have occurred under these circumstances because of the lack of suitable egress or improper window well coverage.

Egress window wells must meet IRC (International Residential Code) requirements for the safety of the inhabitants of a house. The code states that basements with livable space, and every sleeping room should have an emergency escape; a door or accessible window. An egress window well should have an area of nine square feet with a horizontal projection of thirty-six inches. It is not only necessary for the safe escape of occupants, but it allows for emergency crews to enter the basement easily if needed. The opening of the egress window well to the outside must have a window well cover that is easily opened without the use of special tools.

Having a well fitted and strong cover over the basement window well is as important as having a proper egress from the basement. In addition to keeping out debris, dirt, and rain, a professionally fitted window well cover can prevent dangerous falls from above. Wildlife, domestic animals, children and even adults have been reported to have fallen into unprotected basement window wells. These covers also keep out snow which can build up in the wells and prevent windows from opening. Here is a photo of window well covers installed in Minnesota. The wells are 7′ deep and 12 and 13 feet long. As you can see by the photos, his wells are now covered, yet remain protected by the window well covers. The two right domes are hinged with hydraulic lifters.

Now there are many companies provide window covers. Window Covers by these Companies custom fits basement window well covers for metal, wood, and masonry window wells. They protect from the elements, as well as being strong enough to protect from falls from above. These companies also have a lifetime guarantee for their window well covers, and they adhere to all egress safety standards.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Egress Window Wells Save Lives if Properly Protected” notes the importance meeting IRC requirements for safe basement egress. Windowbubble.com offers custom basement window well covers.

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Egress Window Wells Save Lives if Properly Protected