US · guidance
CMS SOM App. J, Tag W415
(2) If a bedroom is below grade level, it must have a window that--
(i) Is usable as a second means of escape by client(s) occupying the room; and
(ii) Is no more than 44 inches (measured to the window sill) above the floor unless the facility
is surveyed under the Health Care Occupancy Chapter of the Life Safety Code, in which case
the window must be no more than 36 inches (measured to the window sill) above the floor.
Guidance §483.470(b)(2)
The intent of the regulation is to prohibit the housing of clients in basements that are entirely
below grade. Clients may be housed on the lower level of housing (e.g. a bi-level house),
provided the window height requirements are met and the window is of sufficient size to be
used as a means of escape.
History
Rev. 135, Issued: 02-27-15, Effective: 04-27-15, Implementation: 04-27-15
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-07-22
- Edition
- som-2026-07-22
- Content hash
5590bb5c859853b5f17fbd125f715221a7e05ef974adf1c1ecf4342e82022e2e
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