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Existing commercial basement minimum ceiling height?

Topia

Registered User
Joined
Jan 12, 2022
Messages
3
Location
VA
A search did not show results for this subject.. Renovating an existing basement for business use. The concrete floor to bottom of wood joist is 6'-10". I've found a minimum of 6'-6" for corridors but have yet to find min. for the general area of an existing basement, of commercial building...
 
I'm betting it will come down to use/occupancy. What is the existing use, and what is the use you're proposing?
 
Is there a current use within the basement? If not.....

2018 IEBC Alteration Level II
801.3 Compliance.
New construction elements, components, systems, and spaces shall comply with the requirements of the International Building Code.

Exceptions:

4. The minimum ceiling height of the newly created habitable and occupiable spaces and corridors shall be 7 feet (2134 mm).
 
Thank you for the replies! Being new to this site I just now realized there were responses.. (had thought none..). The space was business (is currently vacant between tenants) and the new use will be business. I'm hoping there is something for an existing older (historic?) building, and being a basement.
 
Thank you for the replies! Being new to this site I just now realized there were responses.. (had thought none..). The space was business (is currently vacant between tenants) and the new use will be business. I'm hoping there is something for an existing older (historic?) building, and being a basement.
So you currently have a "B" occupancy, and the new proposed use will also be the same occupancy type, but new tenants?
 
Show that on the plans, likely to be approved. If not ask the plan reviewer why and if they can't (or won't) give you a good reason then politely request to speak to their supervisor.
 
Nothing special for basements in the IBC like there is in the IRC

1208.2 Minimum ceiling heights. Occupiable spaces, habitable
spaces and corridors shall have a ceiling height of not
less than 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm). Bathrooms, toilet rooms,
kitchens, storage rooms and laundry rooms shall have a ceiling
height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
Exceptions:
1. In one- and two-family dwellings, beams or girders
spaced not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) on center
shall be permitted to project not more than 6 inches
(152 mm) below the required ceiling height.
2. If any room in a building has a sloped ceiling, the
prescribed ceiling height for the room is required in
one-half the area thereof. Any portion of the room
measuring less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from the finished
floor to the ceiling shall not be included in any
computation of the minimum area thereof.
3. The height of mezzanines and spaces below mezzanines
shall be in accordance with Section 505.1.
4. Corridors contained within a dwelling unit or sleeping
unit in a Group R occupancy shall have a ceiling
height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
1208.2.1 Furred ceiling. Any room with a furred ceiling
shall be required to have the minimum ceiling height in
two-thirds of the area thereof, but in no case shall the
height of the furred ceiling be less than 7 feet (2134 mm

OCCUPIABLE SPACE. A room or enclosed space
designed for human occupancy in which individuals congregate
for amusement, educational or similar purposes or in
which occupants are engaged at labor, and which is equipped
with means of egress and light and ventilation facilities meeting
the requirements of this code.

HABITABLE SPACE. A space in a building for living,
sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets,
halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered
habitable spaces.


1003.2 Ceiling height. The means of egress shall have a ceiling
height of not less than 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm).
Exceptions:
1. Sloped ceilings in accordance with Section 1208.2.
2. Ceilings of dwelling units and sleeping units within
residential occupancies in accordance with Section
1208.2.
3. Allowable projections in accordance with Section
1003.3.
4. Stair headroom in accordance with Section 1011.3.
5. Door height in accordance with Section 1010.1.1.
6. Ramp headroom in accordance with Section
1012.5.2.
7. The clear height of floor levels in vehicular and
pedestrian traffic areas of public and private parking
garages in accordance with Section 406.4.1.
8. Areas above and below mezzanine floors in accordance
with Section 505.2.
 
The Existing Building Code is the applicable code - Not the Building Code. Check out chapter 12. IF your building is indeed historic, it may allow some leeway. However, Historic buildings generally have to be located in designated historic district or on the National Registry, State Registry, Local Registry..... Just because a building is old, does not mean it is historic.
 
A search did not show results for this subject.. Renovating an existing basement for business use. The concrete floor to bottom of wood joist is 6'-10". I've found a minimum of 6'-6" for corridors but have yet to find min. for the general area of an existing basement, of commercial building...
If 7 ft is the min height of a habitable residential space, wouldn't that be an indication of a starting point to determine the intent of the Code?
 
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