What is the best way to write in your report if a house does not meet modern day egress requirements?
Are they defects in need of correction or do you let it go as that was the standard when the house was built.
There are many egress areas pertaining to residential building or homes. The front door is the main egress route.
Residential main egress route rules require a clear, continuous path to a ground-level exit (primary) and an alternative escape route (secondary) for all living and sleeping areas.
What egress route are you referring to Marcus? Primary or secondary egress routes?
The lack of adequate egress and ingress presents a safety hazard on the day that you inspect…right?
First responders need to get in and occupants need to get out.
Report it as a safety hazard…
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Report what you observe and be sure to have your references/facts straight.
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You need to be more specific. Only one egress door is required.
Egress window requirements evolved over time in separate building codes which covered different geographical areas of the country. UBC (universal building code) had an egress window requirement as far back as 1964 (There was no IRC at that time).
Depending on your location there was also the SBCC (Southern Building Code Conference) and the ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials). What we have today (ICC) didn’t begin till the mid 1990s.
Replacement windows in older homes do not need to meet modern Egress requirements as long as they fit without modification into the exact framing of the original window.
Any of these requirements may be changed or modified by the locality that you are inspecting in.
Don’t be a Drama Queen! No one expects a house built in the 1940s to conform to modern building codes.
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We need to report what we find, and while the age of the home is important, it should not really sway our reporting of an unsafe condition. The lack of proper Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening (EERO) should be known to our clients as this is a big issue.
Also, EERO is the term we should be using as this is what is used by the IRC.
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What @lkage said.
I almost always find inadequate or no egress in bedrooms on the upper floors of cape cod style homes and I write them up as such to inform my clients.
Many home buyers, especially first time buyers, usually don’t think of these things, and as inspectors it’s our duty to inform our clients of safety hazards.
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It’s a condition that the client should be aware of.
Here’s an example of my narrative from a recent inspection…
The bedroom windows, which were common for the construction year, were too high for emergency egress. Consider upgrading windows to meet current safety standards.
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The irony is that 44” is too high for children in many cases. Note that basement window wells that are 44” need a ladder by code but you have to be able to get out the 44” high window first, go figure.
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Hey! Great question — this is a common situation for home inspectors, especially with older homes. Here’s a clear and professional way to approach it in your report:
How to Write It in the Report:
1. Acknowledge the Age of the Home:
Start by noting that the home was built under different codes/standards.
“This home was constructed prior to the adoption of modern building codes related to egress requirements (such as window sizes and emergency exits).”
2. Identify the Observation Without Calling It a Code Violation:
Avoid using the word “code” unless you’re specifically qualified to cite it (most inspectors aren’t unless also licensed as code officials).
“Bedroom windows do not meet current egress size requirements for emergency escape and rescue.”
3. Clarify Safety Concerns & Recommend Upgrading:
Even if it’s not a “defect” by past standards, it’s still a potential safety issue today.
“While this may have been acceptable at the time of construction, it does not meet current safety recommendations. Upgrading to meet modern egress standards is advised to enhance occupant safety.”
4. Use Neutral, Professional Language:
Avoid alarmist or overly casual language. Focus on informing, not judging
You don’t have to label it a “defect” if it was compliant when built, but you should document that it does not meet modern safety expectations and recommend considering upgrades. This protects you legally, educates the client, and keeps the tone fair.
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This is so true!
Most basement emergency egress windows end out to be too high to allow the residents to easily climb out, despite having the code compliant measurements.
I found a local contractor here in Maryland who blew me away with his solution to this problem.
He identified the wall with the best exterior and interior height, and instead of enlarging the existing basement window opening, he created an easily accessible emergency exit in one of the side walls of this home. This isn’t always possible in a townhouse located in the center of the block, but it’s ideal in single-family homes and corner townhomes.
take a pick…
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My comment on modern egress for older homes is informative. I’m in a second home area where VRBO and other short term rentals occur. In some cases, upgrading to modern egress standards is required. It’s a bit of a CYA comment for me. During the walk through, I mention that no one is enforcing egress, unless the buyer plans to rent the home.
Here’s a diagram that I often use. It does a good job of illustrating clear opening, vs sash dimension. They are not the same. It also makes note of the 5.7 vs 5.0 square foot rule:
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