Minnesota Administrative Rules

1309.0310 SECTION R310, EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS.

Subpart 1.

IRC section R310.1, Emergency escape and rescue opening required.

Section R310.1 is amended to read as follows:

R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required. Basements, habitable attics, and every sleeping room 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, but not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

Exceptions:

1. Storm shelters and basements used only to house mechanical equipment not exceeding a total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m²).

2. Basements or basement bedrooms when the building is protected with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with IRC Section P2904 or NFPA 13D.

3. Basements or basement bedrooms where the entire basement area, including all portions of the means of egress to the level of exit discharge, and all areas on the level of exit discharge that are open to the means of egress is protected with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with IRC Section P2904 or NFPA 13D.

(Section R310.1.1 remains unchanged.)

Subp. 2.

IRC section R310.2, Emergency escape rescue openings.

Section R310.2 is amended by adding a subsection to read as follows:

R310.2.5.1 Licensed facilities. Windows in rooms used for foster care or day care licensed or registered by the state of Minnesota shall comply with the provisions of Section R310.2.5, or all of the following conditions, whichever is more restrictive:

1. Minimum of 20 inches in clear opening width;

2. Minimum of 20 inches in clear opening height;

3. Minimum of 648 square inches (4.5 square feet) clear opening; and

4. Maximum of 48 inches from the floor to the sill height.

Subp. 3.

IRC section R310.6, Alterations or repairs of existing basements.

Section R310.6 is amended and a subsection added to read as follows:

R310.6 Alterations or repairs of existing basements. An emergency escape and rescue opening is not required where existing basements undergo alterations or repairs.

R310.6.1 Sleeping rooms in existing basements. New sleeping rooms created in an existing basement shall be provided with emergency escape and rescue openings in accordance with Section R310.1.

Exception: Emergency escape and rescue openings are not required to be provided where the entire basement area, including all portions of the means of egress to the level of exit discharge, and all areas on the level of exit discharge that are open to the means of egress are protected with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with IRC Section P2904 or NFPA 13D.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 16B.59; 16B.61; 16B.64; 326B.02; 326B.101; 326B.106; 326B.13

History:

27 SR 1475; 32 SR 12; L 2007 c 140 art 4 s 61; art 13 s 4; 39 SR 91; 44 SR 764

Published Electronically:

March 31, 2020