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All too often when someone is
remodeling or repairing their house, the work they do or portions of it not
reflect the minimum requirements for health and safety. Sometimes it is an
oversight on the part of the building department or contractor, and sometimes it
is just lack of knowledge or understanding by the homeowner. Correcting the
condition can often be more costly than doing it right in the first
place. |
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LOCATION ON LOT:
Any exterior wall having
window or other openings must be at least 3 feet from the property line. Other
walls may be less that 3 feet, but must have at least one-hour fire resistive
construction. (Local zoning ordinances may be more restrictive requiring further
setbacks). The set back requirements are important to reduce the potential
spread of fire and to allow access for emergency personnel. |
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LIGHTS:
All habitable rooms must be
provided with ventilation equal to 1/20th of the floor area with a minimum of 5
square feet (A 10’X12’ room = 120 feet must have a window with a net opening of
6 square feet). In lieu of this, mechanical ventilation must provide two air
changes per hour. Required exterior openings such as windows and
doors, must open directly onto a street, yard or court located on the same
property. |
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EXCEPTION:
Required windows may open
into a roofed porch, where the porch:
1) Abuts a street, yard or
court.
2) Has a ceiling height of
not less than seven feet.
3) Have the longer side and
one additional side at 65% open and unobstructed. |
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CEILING HEIGHT:
Ceilings must not be less
than 7 feet, 6inches, except kitchens, halls, bathrooms, and toilet
compartments, which may have a height of 7 feet, measured to the lowest
projection of the ceiling (for example to the bottom of light fixtures, or a
ceiling fan).
More |
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