rockwellmusic
Registered User
We have a local fire inspector who is trying to claim that our design for an unconditioned, unfinished basement with a <7.5' headspace is an increase in the habitable square footage. Along with the increase upstairs, this is triggering a $20,000 fire sprinkler retrofit which will kill our budget and prevent the project from being built.
Definitions of "gross floor area" that I can find on the internet say that ceilings less than 7.5' do not count as gross floor area. He wants to see the basement roof less than 7 feet, which would probably be OK for our plans to use the space for storage, but would impact resale value. Is there a definition in the California Building Code for "gross floor area" that I can use to appeal this decision about our building plans?
Definitions of "gross floor area" that I can find on the internet say that ceilings less than 7.5' do not count as gross floor area. He wants to see the basement roof less than 7 feet, which would probably be OK for our plans to use the space for storage, but would impact resale value. Is there a definition in the California Building Code for "gross floor area" that I can use to appeal this decision about our building plans?