We have a basement with an open ceiling with the joists just under 7ft. Would joists be considered “others instructions” in the code and therefore be okay in regard to height?
Hello, The new 2024 code cycle addresses existing basements and allows for a finished height of 6'-8" in lieu of 7ft. Your state may be working under a previous code cycle that doesn't have this exception but regardless it is allowed under the recent code. If you are getting a permit and the local building department has any issues with it then it might be worth referencing the exception in the 2024 IRC, section R313.1.2. Hope that helps!! Here is the code link: codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2024P2/chapter-3-building-planning#IRC2024P2_Pt03_Ch03_SecR311
I think the code is reasonable. I think people try too hard to make themselves feel small in their own homes. Some rooms should be bigger maybe, but not every room needs 12ft ceilings, and many of them would feel better if those were dropped to 8 or so. Egress requirements in my opinion shouldn't be limited to bedrooms but that's another story.
Here, habitable a room ceiling height is 2.4m. This may be reduced to 2.1m for non-habitable rooms ( hallways, WC, laundry etc). A budiing Inspector has no mandate to sign off any variation to these code requirements or indeed approved plans unless it's sanctioned by the relevant building surveyor responsible for the issuance of the building permit. Essentially, the building inspector acts as the eyes and ears of the building surveyor. Inspectors not adhering to this principle are liable to disciplinary action which can and does result in the inspector being suspended or disqualified and fined. What are the procedures in the US.
Hey Peter, Your building surveyor is the equivalent of our building official. They are the say all, be all, final decision makers. Under them are the plans examiners and inspectors. As inspectors we are responsible to inspect off the approved plans though there are many times when there are no approved plans or its a special situation. Our code books remove liability from the building department, examiners and inspectors as long as we are always working in good faith, calling code or following the intent of the code. Its rare to see an inspector fired, at least from my experience but I would assume anyone not inspecting off the approved plans or making random corrections calls at will, or that are not related to the building code would get you sent packing.
Worst case: 5/8" drywall on the ceiling and carpet with a thicker pad is maybe 1". Finished height should be around 87-3/8" unless you have to fur down the ceilings for some reason or float the floor out a bunch. If you use 1/2" drywall and an lvp for flooring (or something along those lines) it might only drop your ceiling height 3/4".
Awesome video. It's refreshing to see an inspector who is trying to help people and keep them safe and not someone with a rule book on a power trip.
Thanks!
We have a basement with an open ceiling with the joists just under 7ft. Would joists be considered “others instructions” in the code and therefore be okay in regard to height?
Hello, The new 2024 code cycle addresses existing basements and allows for a finished height of 6'-8" in lieu of 7ft. Your state may be working under a previous code cycle that doesn't have this exception but regardless it is allowed under the recent code. If you are getting a permit and the local building department has any issues with it then it might be worth referencing the exception in the 2024 IRC, section R313.1.2. Hope that helps!!
Here is the code link: codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2024P2/chapter-3-building-planning#IRC2024P2_Pt03_Ch03_SecR311
I think the code is reasonable. I think people try too hard to make themselves feel small in their own homes. Some rooms should be bigger maybe, but not every room needs 12ft ceilings, and many of them would feel better if those were dropped to 8 or so.
Egress requirements in my opinion shouldn't be limited to bedrooms but that's another story.
Here, habitable a room ceiling height is 2.4m. This may be reduced to 2.1m for non-habitable rooms ( hallways, WC, laundry etc). A budiing Inspector has no mandate to sign off any variation to these code requirements or indeed approved plans unless it's sanctioned by the relevant building surveyor responsible for the issuance of the building permit. Essentially, the building inspector acts as the eyes and ears of the building surveyor. Inspectors not adhering to this principle are liable to disciplinary action which can and does result in the inspector being suspended or disqualified and fined.
What are the procedures in the US.
Hey Peter, Your building surveyor is the equivalent of our building official. They are the say all, be all, final decision makers. Under them are the plans examiners and inspectors. As inspectors we are responsible to inspect off the approved plans though there are many times when there are no approved plans or its a special situation. Our code books remove liability from the building department, examiners and inspectors as long as we are always working in good faith, calling code or following the intent of the code. Its rare to see an inspector fired, at least from my experience but I would assume anyone not inspecting off the approved plans or making random corrections calls at will, or that are not related to the building code would get you sent packing.
can you let me know if i have 89 inches unfinished basement height so what is the finished height ?
Worst case: 5/8" drywall on the ceiling and carpet with a thicker pad is maybe 1". Finished height should be around 87-3/8" unless you have to fur down the ceilings for some reason or float the floor out a bunch. If you use 1/2" drywall and an lvp for flooring (or something along those lines) it might only drop your ceiling height 3/4".