Can a Bilco door qualify as a basement egress exit?

A Bilco door can serve as an egress exit under certain conditions, but it must meet specific size requirements under the International Residential Code as adopted by New Jersey.

For a basement exit to count as egress, the opening must provide at least 32 inches of clear width and at least 78 inches of clear height from the landing or step at the base of the stairs. Standard residential Bilco doors come in several sizes, and not all of them meet this threshold. The stair width and headroom from the stair to the door also factor into whether the opening passes inspection as a code-compliant egress exit.

If you are finishing a basement bedroom or creating a habitable space below grade, your egress plan must be reviewed by a construction official. A Bilco door alone is typically not sufficient as the primary egress for a sleeping room, which additionally requires an egress window per NJ code.

Scaldino Basement Solutions can evaluate your existing or planned door installation against NJ egress requirements. Contact us to discuss your project.