Opinion: Locks on egress window wells

Subject:

Locks on egress window wells

Code:

2000 IRC Sections: R310.4

Submitted By:

Uniformity Committee

Approved By:

Thomas R. Joachim, State Building Official

Issue Date:

December 2003

Question:

The owner wishes to secure a steel cover over his window well with a combination lock on the inside of the window well. Does this section or the code permit such a lock?

Answer:

A combination lock would not be permitted.

Committee comments:

A lock would require a key or tool to open the egress window. A combination is equivalent to a key or a tool.