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Basement-egress
- Thread starter Bootleg
- Start date
cboboggs
Moderator
Is the finished basement existing or is it being done in conjunction with the remodel?
Yankee
Registered User
Basement is required to have an emergency escape leading directly outside even if unfinished, depending on the code year, and needs one egress and one emergency escape if finished (but isn't required to lead directly outside unless it is a bedroom). I think. Not enough info to determine if those windows meet EERO.Bootleg said:
liarchitect
Bronze Member
Egress required, under emergency escape, does the finished basement have a CO
Yankee
Registered User
What doesn't make sense is that an unfinished basement requires emergency escape directly to the outside, but a finished basement requires emergency escape which is not required to lead directly outside (unless it is in a basement bedroom). Go figure. If a basement is partially finished and partially unfinished, the escape from the unfinished part may pass through to the finished space and use the EERO provided for that space. Chapter 3 in the egress section.
Was the home built under the 2006 IRC or is the remodel covered by the 2006 IRC?
If the basement is part of the remodel under the 2006 IRC I would say they need to provide access directly to the exterior.
If the basement is not part of the remodel...Fall back to the code when home was built. I'm sure 2006 was the first time direct access to the exterior was required.
docgj
If the basement is part of the remodel under the 2006 IRC I would say they need to provide access directly to the exterior.
If the basement is not part of the remodel...Fall back to the code when home was built. I'm sure 2006 was the first time direct access to the exterior was required.
docgj
fatboy
Administrator
Yes, I would require compliance for an EERO. And yes, it must go directly to the exterior.
R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required.
Basements and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency
escape and rescue opening. Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court.
R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required.
Basements and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency
escape and rescue opening. Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court.
Are they creating sleeping rooms or changing the windows? If not, I don't think that you can require EEROs.
R102.7 Existing structures.
The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this code, the International Property Maintenance Code or the International Fire Code, or as is deemed necessary by the building official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public.
R102.7 Existing structures.
The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this code, the International Property Maintenance Code or the International Fire Code, or as is deemed necessary by the building official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public.
Yankee
Registered User
It is a change of use from unfinshed area to living area. Require whatever you need to for a living area. Do you have a fire/life safety code as well as IRC requirement?
Thank you rogerpa for the heads-up on 102.7 Existing structures.rogerpa said:
In the 2006 IRC commentary it reads:
Buildings that exist legally at the time the code is adopted are allowed to have their existing use and occupancy continued if the use or occupancy of the structure was also legally in existence. This means that as long as a structure or building remains in a safe and sanitary condition it need not be upgraded to meet the more current standards. However, any new construction, addition or remodeling will require such work to conform to the new standards.
fatboy
Administrator
That's what I was hanging my hat on, you had stated "major remodel".
JBI
Registered User
Do you have Appendix J in your res code? It's our 'existing building code' for res code buildings...
Yankee
Registered User
Remodeling to create a new finished space does not fall under "existing" anything. It is a new space and must comply with new requirements or an approved equivilant.