Emergency escape required: every sleeping room, every habitable attic, every basement with sleeping room
Virginia USBC 2021 Amendment 15 (IRC R310.1)Description
Basements, habitable attics, and every sleeping room designated on the construction documents shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency egress and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court having a minimum width of 36 inches that opens to a public way.
Why this exists
Virginia's amendment confirms IRC R310.1 with an added exception for dwellings with NFPA 13/13R/13D automatic sprinkler systems. The court-width minimum of 36 inches is explicit.
Measurements
| Property | Operator | Value | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
courtWidth | min | 36 | in | Minimum width of a yard/court opening to a public way |
Categories
Applies to
- Room types: bedroom, master_bedroom
- Jurisdiction: Virginia
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
Last reviewed 2026-05-10.