ATTIC DOOR ACCESS PHOTO

[Gene South]

The short door in the photo is the attic access door where two HVAC units are located inside that attic space. The interior decisions of the opening is 24 inches by 36 inches. The HVAC filters are located inside the HVAC so the home owner must crawl through access the attic to change the HVAC filters. I am 6'2" and it was hard enough for me to get through it. Makes me wonder how some larger homeowners or homeowners with limited abilities could get through this opening. I am not aware of any requirement for a full size walk-in door and as long as the HVAC or other mechanical equipment will fit through the opening, then it appears to be a legal size attic access.Just thought I would share. BTW, the other closed full-size door in the left side of the photo, is a 34279closet.

[tkaiser1]

The basic requirements for access to HVAC/mechanical equipment in attics:


30X22 min. opening - or big enough to allow appliance removal
appliance 20 feet max distance from opening
walking board (cat walk) to appliance (not required if can be accessed or serviced at the opening)
light near appliance, switch at access opening

It sounds like you've got most or all in the scenario you described. Maybe not ideal, but it meets the need.


The short door in the photo is the attic access door where two HVAC units are located inside that attic space. The interior decisions of the opening is 24 inches by 36 inches. The HVAC filters are located inside the HVAC so the home owner must crawl through access the attic to change the HVAC filters. I am 6'2" and it was hard enough for me to get through it. Makes me wonder how some larger homeowners or homeowners with limited abilities could get through this opening. I am not aware of any requirement for a full size walk-in door and as long as the HVAC or other mechanical equipment will fit through the opening, then it appears to be a legal size attic access.Just thought I would share. BTW, the other closed full-size door in the left side of the photo, is a 34279closet.

[Gunnar Alquist]

Nothing to prevent mentioning that it may be difficult to enter.

[Jerry Peck]

walking board (cat walk) to appliance (not required if can be accessed or serviced at the opening)


The floor, not just a "walking board" as minimum requirements for width and type, with 'type' being as required for all floors.

[Gene South]

Hi Tim, thanks and yes I agree in this house the opening meets the requirements. i was just commenting on how easy it would have been to install a taller door at this spot. Sometimes the framing or design prevent a full size door however in this house there was nothing to prevent a taller door. Just making a general comment, nothing more. The home owner was having difficulty entering the attic.




The basic requirements for access to HVAC/mechanical equipment in attics:


30X22 min. opening - or big enough to allow appliance removal
appliance 20 feet max distance from opening
walking board (cat walk) to appliance (not required if can be accessed or serviced at the opening)
light near appliance, switch at access opening

It sounds like you've got most or all in the scenario you described. Maybe not ideal, but it meets the need.

[tkaiser1]

Hi Tim, thanks and yes I agree in this house the opening meets the requirements. i was just commenting on how easy it would have been to install a taller door at this spot. Sometimes the framing or design prevent a full size door however in this house there was nothing to prevent a taller door. Just making a general comment, nothing more. The home owner was having difficulty entering the attic.

Yeah, makes you wonder sometimes - WHY??

[Scott Laird]

?...The HVAC filters are located inside the HVAC so the home owner must crawl through access the attic to change the HVAC filters....?

Is the return air duct accessing the living space or just the attic? If it is drawing it?s air from the conditioned living space, how hard would it have been to place the filter access at that entrance location? Not many homeowners would ever think to check the filter if hidden away in the attic.