Adding a bedroom to your Baltimore home’s basement? Make sure you have an egress.

Many people want to finish basement areas to add more living space to their homes.

One thing to understand is that if you put finish your basement and add a “bedroom,” even with a closet and a full bath, it technically cannot be called a bedroom in Maryland if there is no egress, or escape to the outside in case of emergency.

An egress window is, in International Building Code and International Residential Code, is called an EERO -Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening. Though many may have heard of the word egress, it is important to note that building codes address these as EEROs. An EERO can be a window or door. It is an emergency escape and rescue opening.

Here are the egress requirements for a Maryland basement with sleeping area:

The minimum window size for an egress in Maryland is 5.7 square feet, with the opening not higher than 44 inches from the floor. In addition, an egress window must have a window well or other type of egress system with a minimum size of 9 square feet and 36 inches deep that would meet all local codes.

Also, according to an egress specialty company in Maryland called Redi-Exit Egress Systems, an egress window in a Maryland home must also provide adequate light and ventilation. Redi-Exit states that the egress window should have a minimum of 8% of natural glass area with a maximum of 80% glazing.

The Great Egress Company also has great information and details on their website about egress requirements in Maryland.

The biggest thing to understand is that if you plan to have a sleeping area in your basement in Baltimore, you need an egress so the occupant can exit safely in case of emergency.