The main requirement is that all homes must have at least one escape route that leads directly to the outdoors. Homes with several inhabited floors must have alternative escape routes as well. Here are various alternative escape routes and the requirements that apply to these.
Through window
If it is less than 5 meters down to the ground, you can use a window or balcony as an escape route. The opening in the window must be at least 0.5 metres wide and at least 0.6 metres high. The sum of width and height must be at least 1.5 meters. The window should not be a skylight. For each floor, at least every other room must have an escape window.
Fire ladder
If you install a fire ladder with a back brace - a kind of cage around the ladder that ensures that you do not fall backwards - you can use a window that is even 7.5 meters above the ground as an escape route.
Install the ladder at least two metres from windows on the floor below. If there is a fire on the floor below, it will be impossible to use the ladder if it is mounted too close to the window. If you need to have the ladder closer than the minimum distance, you must set up a flame shield that protects the ladder in the event of a fire.
Escape route from the basement
You can escape from the basement via a door in the basement wall that leads directly out to the outdoors. A basement window plus a basement staircase up to the ground floor, with access further out to the ground floor is also a possible solution. The window must then be at least 0.5 metres wide and at least 0.6 metres high. The sum of width and height must be at least 1.5 meters.
You can have other dimensions of escape windows from basements that are approved according to older building regulations - check with the municipality which rules applied at the time of construction.
If you are going to use a basement window as an escape route, there must be no risk of snow clogging the window from the outside. If necessary, install heating cables to avoid this risk.
The window must be easy to reach from the inside, and easy to get out of. Keep in mind that windows that are opened by lifting upwards can be difficult to escape through. Basement windows that are used as escape routes must not lead out to rooms or shafts that are difficult to climb further out of.