At least one egress door per dwelling unit; side-hinged, 32 in clear width × 78 in clear height

Description

Each dwelling unit must have at least one side-hinged egress door providing a clear opening of 32 in (measured between door face and stop, with the door at 90°) by 78 in clear height (from threshold top to bottom of door stop). The egress door must be readily openable from inside WITHOUT a key, special knowledge, or special effort. Other doors are not required to meet these dimensions.

Why this exists

The 32 in × 78 in opening is the universal-design accessible doorway minimum AND the residential code minimum simultaneously — getting it right at the egress door is no extra cost and serves both. Deadbolt-only locks that require a key from the inside are explicitly prohibited at the egress door (a fire-safety rule).

Measurements

Categories

Applies to

• Jurisdiction: New York State

Source

Solver enforcement

Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.

Related directives

• Garage / dwelling fire separation · IRC R302.6
• Habitable space minimum ceiling height · IRC R305.1
• Egress window net opening dimensions · IRC R310.2
• Stair riser, tread, and headroom · IRC R311.7
• Smoke alarms required throughout dwelling · IRC R314