Emergency egress windows

Means of escape from dwellings

From the 1 July 2000, the requirement for means of escape from dwellings has been amended to improve means of escape from all new dwellings and extensions.

Means of escape requirements

All dwellings and extensions shall have first floor windows suitable for means of escape. In bungalows, rooms which connect to a hall which does not directly exit to an outside door requires windows suitable for means of escape.

Achieving the requirement for means of escape

The window should have an unobstructed openable area that is at least 0.33m² and at least 450mm high and 450mm wide (the route through the window may be at an angle rather than straight through). The bottom of the openable area should be not more than 1100mm above the floor.

Typical details to meet the requirement for means of escape