I am working with the Florida Building Code, 2014 edition (copied below):
The ceiling height for non-basement habitable space seems to be required to be 7' min. in most cases.
I see an exception for basement beam and ducts where they can be as low as 6'4". I don't see a similar exception for beams and ducts in non-basement situations.
There is an exception in the BUILDING code where they can be 6" lower than the required ceiling height, but in that code, the ceiling height is required to be 7'6". I know of (but can't find the code reference) that beams are allowed to be as low as 6'8", similar to doors.
Does anyone know how low ducts and beams can be in habitable spaces in non-basements?
Thank you.
The ceiling height for non-basement habitable space seems to be required to be 7' min. in most cases.
I see an exception for basement beam and ducts where they can be as low as 6'4". I don't see a similar exception for beams and ducts in non-basement situations.
There is an exception in the BUILDING code where they can be 6" lower than the required ceiling height, but in that code, the ceiling height is required to be 7'6". I know of (but can't find the code reference) that beams are allowed to be as low as 6'8", similar to doors.
Does anyone know how low ducts and beams can be in habitable spaces in non-basements?
Thank you.
SECTION R305
CEILING HEIGHT
R305.1 Minimum height.
Habitable space, hallways, bathrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms and portions of basements containing these spaces shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
Exceptions:
1. For rooms with sloped ceilings, at least 50 percent of the required floor area of the room must have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet (2134 mm) and no portion of the required floor area may have a ceiling height of less than 5 feet (1524 mm).
2. Bathrooms shall have a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) at the center of the front clearance area for fixtures as shown in Figure R307.1. The ceiling height above fixtures shall be such that the fixture is capable of being used for its intended purpose. A shower or tub equipped with a showerhead shall have a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) above a minimum area 30 inches (762 mm) by 30 inches (762 mm) at the showerhead.
R305.1.1 Basements.
Portions of basements that do not contain habitable space, hallways, bathrooms, toilet rooms and laundry rooms shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm).
Exception: Beams, girders, ducts or other obstructions may project to within 6 feet 4 inches (1931 mm) of the finished floor.
CEILING HEIGHT
R305.1 Minimum height.
Habitable space, hallways, bathrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms and portions of basements containing these spaces shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
Exceptions:
1. For rooms with sloped ceilings, at least 50 percent of the required floor area of the room must have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet (2134 mm) and no portion of the required floor area may have a ceiling height of less than 5 feet (1524 mm).
2. Bathrooms shall have a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) at the center of the front clearance area for fixtures as shown in Figure R307.1. The ceiling height above fixtures shall be such that the fixture is capable of being used for its intended purpose. A shower or tub equipped with a showerhead shall have a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) above a minimum area 30 inches (762 mm) by 30 inches (762 mm) at the showerhead.
R305.1.1 Basements.
Portions of basements that do not contain habitable space, hallways, bathrooms, toilet rooms and laundry rooms shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm).
Exception: Beams, girders, ducts or other obstructions may project to within 6 feet 4 inches (1931 mm) of the finished floor.