Storage closet defined

[Marc M]

IRC2005.2
Isnt the term "storage closet" somewhat subjective? I mean shouldnt it say any, all, every closet?
Would you consider the closet in my pic a storage closet?
I suppose if the water heater / furnace were not in there one could store things within. What say you?

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[chris mcintyre]

IRC2005.2.............
Would you consider the closet in my pic a storage closet?
................... What say you?

Only if it did not have a water heater and furnace in it .

We often build a separate "closet" for the water heater and/or furnace so that it/they are out of sight.
Here it is accepted as a mechanical room, but no matter how tight the space whenever you have to go in one the homeowners stuff is always stacked in there, so you make a very good point.

[Marc M]

Thank you...Must be one of those "grey area," spirit of the code things.

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

No. No storage in that louvered door mechanical room/closet.

Needs unobstructed ventillation and dillution air and required clearances from the vent and mechanical appliances gas fired in the room. Any thing in that area would be replacing the volume of air otherwise occupying the space of the stored items. Required access and clearances also for electrical appliances.

P.S. is that aluminum foil tape on a vent connector/B-vent?

[Marc M]

No. No storage in that louvered door mechanical room/closet.
P.S. is that aluminum foil tape on a vent connector/B-vent?

Yes, please elaborate.

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

Foil tape doesn't belong on a gas vent connector or a B-vent. It should be mechanically connected and supported.

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

No. No storage in that louvered door mechanical room/closet.

Needs unobstructed ventillation and dillution air and required clearances from the vent and mechanical appliances gas fired in the room. Any thing in that area would be replacing the volume of air otherwise occupying the space of the stored items. Required access and clearances also for electrical appliances.

P.S. is that aluminum foil tape on a vent connector/B-vent?

Yes, please elaborate.

2007 California Energy Code, Title 24, Part 6
Subchapter 1 - All Occupancies - General Provisions
SECTION 101 DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

Link: Subchapter 1 - All Occupancies - General Provisions

RESIDENTIAL SPACE TYPE is one of the following:

Bathroom is a room or area containing a sink used for personal hygiene, toilet, shower or a tub.

Closet is a nonhabitable room used for the storage of linens, household supplies, clothing, nonperishable food or similar uses, and which is not a hallway or passageway.

Garage is a nonhabitable building or portion of building, attached to or detached from a residential dwelling unit, in which motor vehicles are parked.

Kitchen is a room or area used for cooking, food storage and preparation and washing dishes, including associated counter tops and cabinets, refrigerator, stove, ovens and floor area.

Laundry is a nonhabitable room or space which contains plumbing and electrical connections for a washing machine or clothes dryer.

Storage building is a nonhabitable detached building used for the storage of tools, garden equipment or miscellaneous items.

Utility room is a nonhabitable room or building which contains only HVAC, plumbing, or electrical controls or equipment; and which is not a bathroom, closet, garage or laundry room.

What you have pictured is a Utility Room (or "mechanical room"), NOT a Closet.

For the remainder see the Mechanical Code, I believe I supplied some information and links to you on your recent laundry room question.