Egress Doors

Question 1

Required Egress Door
🔹 Every home must have at least one egress door that allows occupants to exit directly to the outside without passing through an attached garage.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: How many egress doors are required in a home?

Answer 1

At least one egress door must be provided, allowing occupants to exit from the habitable portion of the home to the outside without passing through an attached garage.

Question 2

Type of Egress Door
🔹 The required egress door must be a side-hinged door.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What type of door must be used as the required egress door?

Answer 2

A side-hinged door.

Question 3

Egress Door Dimensions
🔹 Minimum width: 3 feet
🔹 Minimum height: 6 feet 8 inches

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What are the minimum dimensions of an egress door?

Answer 3

3 feet wide and 6 feet 8 inches tall

Question 4

Other Exterior Doors
🔹 Only the required egress door must meet these dimensions.
🔹 Other exterior doors can be any size and do not need to be swinging doors.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: Do all exterior doors need to meet egress door size requirements?

Answer 4

No, only the required egress door must meet these dimensions. Other doors can be any size and do not need to be swinging doors.

Question 5

Egress Door Operation
🔹 Must open from the inside without a tool, key, special knowledge, or effort.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: How must an egress door operate from the inside?

Answer 5

It must be readily openable without the use of a tool, key, special knowledge, or effort.

Question 6

Minimum Landing Width
🔹 Must be at least as wide as the door.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What is the minimum width requirement for a landing?

Answer 6

At least as wide as the door.

Question 7

Minimum Landing Depth
🔹 At least 36 inches in the direction of travel.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What is the minimum dimension of a landing in the direction of travel?

Answer 7

At least 36 inches.

Question 8

Landing Height Difference from Threshold
🔹 Maximum height difference: 1-1/2 inches

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What is the maximum height difference between a landing and the top of the threshold?

Answer 8

A: 1-1/2 inches.

Question 9

Exterior Landing Exception
🔹 A landing can be up to 7-3/4 inches below the threshold if the door does not swing over the landing.
🔹 Screen and storm doors are allowed to swing over the landing.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: Under what condition can an exterior landing be up to 7-3/4 inches below the threshold?

Answer 9

If the door does not swing over the landing.
(This applies to all exterior doors, including the required egress door. Screen and storm doors are allowed to swing over the landing.)

Question 10

Landing Exception for Exterior Stairways
🔹 A landing is not required when:
- The exterior stairway has no more than two risers.
- The door does not swing over the stairway.
- Screen and storm doors are allowed to swing over the stairway.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: When is a landing not required for a door with an exterior stairway?

Answer 10

If the stairway has no more than two risers, and the door does not swing over the stairway. (Screen and storm doors are allowed to swing over the stairway.)

Question 11

Maximum Threshold Height Difference for Other Exterior Doors
🔹 For all exterior doors (except the required egress door):
-The interior floor must not be more than 7-3/4 inches below the threshold.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What is the maximum allowed height difference between an interior floor and an exterior door threshold?

Answer 11

For all exterior doors other than the required egress door, the interior floor must not be more than 7-3/4 inches below the top of the threshold.

Question 12

Raised Thresholds for Exterior Doors
🔹 The threshold of an exterior door (other than the egress door) can be raised up to 7-3/4 inches above the interior floor.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: Can an exterior door threshold be raised above the interior floor?

Answer 12

Yes, the threshold of an exterior door (other than the egress door) can be raised up to 7-3/4 inches above the interior floor.

Question 13

Minimum Hallway Width
🔹 At least 36 inches.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What is the minimum required hallway width?

Answer 13

At least 36 inches.

Question 14

Maximum Step-Down for an Exterior Landing
Requirement:

The step-down from the threshold to the exterior landing must not exceed 7 3/4 inches, provided the door does not swing over the landing.
✅ Flashcard Question: What is the maximum step-down allowed for an exterior landing if the door does not swing over it?

Answer 14

Up to 7 3/4 inches below the threshold.

Question 15

Application to Egress Doors
Rule:

The 7 3/4-inch step-down exception applies to egress doors as long as they do not swing over the landing.
✅ Flashcard Question: Does the 7 3/4-inch exception apply to egress doors?

Answer 15

Yes, as long as the door does not swing over the landing.

Question 16

Storm and Screen Doors
Rule:

Storm and screen doors are always allowed to swing over the landing, regardless of the step-down height.
✅ Flashcard Question: Are storm and screen doors allowed to swing over the landing?

Answer 16

Yes, they are always allowed to swing over the landing.

Question 17

Non-Egress Exterior Doors & Interior Thresholds
Rule:

A non-egress exterior door can have a raised interior threshold up to 7 3/4 inches above the interior floor.
✅ Flashcard Question: Can a non-egress exterior door have a raised interior threshold?

Answer 17

Yes, up to 7 3/4 inches above the interior floor.

Question 18

Acceptable Step-Down Measurements
Example:

A 3.5-inch step-down from the threshold to the landing is acceptable because it falls within the 7 3/4-inch maximum.
✅ Flashcard Question: Is a 3.5-inch step-down from the threshold to the landing allowed?

Answer 18

Yes, since it is within the 7 3/4-inch maximum allowed by the exception.