If renting out an older home, with windows in bedrooms smaller than what meets code for egress, are those bedrooms grandfathered in or would they not be? Question is in terms of liability and legality / criminality.

I'm running into this a handful of times and keep seeing windows much smaller than what meets code for egress.

I am going back a ways but I believe it is 10 ft of space that is required in glass area.

I have found a valid work around and had the local building code official give it the green light.

He explained to me that on a double hung window the area to crawl out was based on the window opening thus the requirement for the windows to be be at least a certain size (2 ft by 2.5ft but don't quote me as I am going back about 25-28 years).

I was telling this to an Amish worker of mine and he took us to the Amish window maker. The window maker was able to build a replacement window that didn't move up and down. Rather it was held in place by clips. The clips went from the vinyl on the window to the vinyl window sash. After releasing the clips the window pulled out.

The BCO was impressed and gave the Amish builder a letter authorizing the construction and use this window design.

I wouldn't own a rental that did not have usable egress from each bedroom.

#22, with the kind of work you do, I'd just go ahead and make sure at least one window meets code. The costs are minimal. The last thing you want on your conscience and in the news paper is your name in a headline for not having proper fire escape and a person burns to death. "It was grandfathered in" might keep you out of legal liability, but like many recent news stories, the mob will make up its mind outside of court and cause you more problems than will be solved by leaving it "as is".

Is this just one bedroom?

Egress window standards can vary city to city. Don't go by anything you read here as far as dimensions go.

#22,

Locally a LL buddy sold an old house. The inspector had signed off and buddy had a copy.

Under the new owner the house had a fire, a person was injured (minor but it drew major attention and investigation). They went back to my buddy, accused him of making bad repairs which caused the fire. But the insoector had approved the repairs.

I understand that written approval by the building inspector was the one document that protected my buddy and the new owner.

We all get frustrated with inspectors but they take the hit if they approved it.

Windows: Always keep great relations with inspectors (I know you do!). I always call them and ask for their suggestions when in doubt.

MY inspectors in MY town say old windows etc are grandfathered. When installing replacement windows we can install the same size AND can be a few inches smaller to allow for needed trim, shims, etc.

BUT if we do significant remodel we mist upgrade to egress size.

Tip: for years we bought the replacement windows at Lowes. By removing a 3” stopper on the slide they qualified as egress. I believe the manufacturer intentionally installed this simple piece of snap in vinyl to force people into buying the next larger window.

Sad story: a teenage res died in our rental fire. The window was OK but it had a window AC blocking exit. We believe she died from smoke inhalation while she slept. She played flute along with my daughter in band.

PS. And up your liability insurance. The world is looking for a scapegoat.