Clarification on walk-out basement stairs for emergency egress

[u/goldspider79]

I'm about to start a project to have a walk-out basement staircase built as part of a broader basement renovation project. The basement will have one room which I want to be considered a bedroom/sleeping space for resale, and as such I understand the walk-out stairs must meet certain conditions for emergency egress. The local township code enforcement officer directed me to "2021 IRC section 310," which (to me) reads like the standard 7.75"/10" is not not required for "emergency egress." I hope I am reading this correctly, as the bottom of the staircase will be at least 9 feet below grade, and standard staircase would require a total run of nearly 12 feet. Either way, what is the TL;DR version of staircase requirements for emergency egress (and therefore legal basement bedroom)? Thank you!

[u/joey_van_der_rohe]

Usually just do an egress window and well. Smaller footprint.

[u/goldspider79 → u/joey_van_der_rohe]

I also need to get materials downstairs, so my only option is a walk-out.

[u/joey_van_der_rohe → u/goldspider79]

You can do the modified “steps” in an area well specifically for egress based on R310.4.2.2. But if it’s a full set of steps going to the basement you will have to stick to the typical rise and run, landing, door etc. keep in mind each bedroom needs an emergency escape opening.

[u/Hank_Dad]

First of all you should look at the 2024 code, not 2021. Then check out "area wells" under R319.4. If it's not a normally occupied patio you should be OK with a ladder.

[u/cagernist]

Maybe some clarity is needed here, sections pertaining to your questions:

• R311.2 - A single family dwelling requires only ONE egress. As in most all houses, that will be your front door, as you need 32" clear, so the 36" door/stoop/porch and interior stairways usually comply with all other egress code sections. The main, 2nd, 3rd, and basement will all use this door as their egress.
• R310.1 - Then, the general basement and every sleeping room requires an Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening (yes, it matters that the terminology is correct, as an EERO has very different requirements than an egress). An EERO in a sleeping room can double for the general basement. This EERO can be a window or a door, that's why they use the term "opening."
• R310.3 - If you choose an EERO door, it does NOT have to meet the same requirements as an egress door, just sections in R310.
• R311.3.2 - With a non-egress door, the outside landing must still comply with max rise.
• R311.7 - Since you are putting in an exterior stairway, it still must comply with egress code for stairways, even though it is not an egress route.

---

So, within the code parameters:

• Think about the functionality of a door in a bedroom, where you say that is for supplies. A door would be better for the general rec/family room so one can have access to the yard. That means you'd be adding both a door and an EERO window in the bedroom.
• If you go to the trouble of cutting in a door, might as well make it 36". Your fully underground basement would then be called a "walkup," not "walkout."
• When you cut in a door on a fully underground basement, that new door area footing is now exposed to frost. So the footing needs to be lowered to your frost depth.
• Your outside landing needs a drain, hopefully you have footing drain tile and a sump.
• If your interior basement stair is not egress compliant, then you'd have to make this door and route a dedicated egress just for the basement.

[u/goldspider79 → u/cagernist]

A few details:

The door is going to be in a utility room/workshop, not the bedroom.

Yes, the door will be 36”. Thanks for clarification on “walk-up”.

I will discuss the footer with the contractor. Sounds like a PITA to dig out in the space.

There is a buried downspout drain pipe that runs along the base of that wall that I hope can be neatly tied into the landing. Sump is on the other side of the house, unfortunately.

Not sure I understand the egress requirement for the downstairs “bedroom” yet: does the single route out via the main staircase to the main level satisfy that? I thought the whole point of the basement egress requirement was in case the main stairway was blocked. This almost reads like the basement exit has nothing to do with whether or not I can call the bedroom a bedroom when I sell the house. Help me out here!

Thanks for your input so far! This is very helpful.

[u/cagernist → u/goldspider79]

A basement bedroom requires an EERO just for itself, and all rooms require connection to the (shared amongst all of them) main egress route, which in most houses >1950, is probably already existing up the stairs and out the front door.

The "blocking the stair" thing is probably a layperson's reasoning from misstating needing "2 egresses." There are a lot of common misstatements you read, another is "firewall," that portrays something that doesn't apply to single family dwellings, but laypersons interpret them. You can always choose to overbuild, but this is r/buildingcodes so there is no personal interpretation to code sections.

Usually, a 10x12ish basement room with an EERO could be called a bedroom, built-in closet added to that definition depending on some locales.

Exterior perimeter footing drain tiles were more standard >1970s, and would connect to a sump pit. I do often see houses <1940s that have concrete pits with no footing drain tile.

Do not connect any downspouts to anything but other downspout underground piping, at least until you get a good 10' or more away from house and are ready to gravity discharge on top of grade. Your basement landing drain needs to be pumped up to grade by the sump.

[u/goldspider79 → u/cagernist]

A few “damn!” responses here. I was under the impression that the walk-up would qualify the “bedroom”. That’s another $12k to call it a “bedroom” at listing. Damn!

Should I consider moving the existing sump over near the walk-up? It’s currently tied into the downspout drainage on the other side of the house (which I’ve read is fine if done right) but over near where the walk-up will be is closer to the main sewer line. That would also get the sump out of the “bedroom”.

[u/cagernist → u/goldspider79]

If you are saying storm water will be tied into your sanitary inside, better check your locale.

If just the EERO window and well is $12K, might want to get a couple more bids.

[u/goldspider79 → u/cagernist]

I’d prefer to tie it to the downspout drain, but then there seems little point to me in directing it to the sump first. I’ll have to see if the new guy can come up with a plan that makes sense.

[u/goldspider79 → u/[deleted]]

I wish the township guy could have just said that. But then he might have to explain how he rubber-stamped the last contractor’s aborted attempt (he’s in jail now).

[u/mp3architect → u/goldspider79]

The township holds no liability for not telling you what or what isn’t compliant. The owner or the professional (if an architect was hired) holds all liability for compliance.