Adding an Egress to make a 3rd floor apartment legal

[Scott Heinze]

Hi BP!

I am currently looking at a mixed use property. 1st floor office/retail. 2nd floor has an apartment (legal). 3rd floor has apt but needs an egress to make it legal. I am in Massachusetts and am curious if anyone has had any experience with adding an egress and how big it has to be in order to be conforming. Cost of project, tips.  Thanks a ton! 

[Aaron Montague]

Hey @Scott Heinze

Each city or town will have a specific fire code that you need to look up.  There are several standards out there or the municipality may have its own.  Call the fire department or the town manager and ask your question(s) directly to them. They are almost always happy to help out, especially if you reach out proactively rather than begging for an exemption after you put up something.