What is the maximum sill height allowed for an egress window?

The maximum sill height for an egress window under the IRC R310 code as adopted in New Jersey is 44 inches above the finished floor. This means the bottom of the window opening, where a person's foot would land when climbing through, cannot be more than 44 inches off the floor.

This requirement exists so that occupants, including children, can reach the window opening without a ladder during an emergency. A sill higher than 44 inches makes it physically difficult for most people to climb through without assistance and fails the egress intent of the code.

In basement applications, achieving a 44-inch maximum sill can be challenging because the window must clear the exterior grade while still being reachable from the interior floor. If the exterior grade is high relative to the basement floor, the window may need to be positioned lower in the wall, requiring a deeper window well on the exterior.

Scaldino Basement Solutions accounts for both interior sill height and exterior well depth in every egress window design. Contact us to assess your basement dimensions.