Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1

    Default Gas Funcae in attic space behind bedroom closet

    Just found (in a new home) a furnace in an attic space that is accessed through a door inside a bedroom closet. The door has no closer, is this required?
    Mechanical code?

    Similar Threads:
    Inspection Referral
    Jeff Zehnder - Home Inspector, Raleigh, NC
    http://www.jjeffzehnder.com/
    http://carolinahomeinspections.com/

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Bennett (Denver metro), Colorado
    Posts
    1,461

    Default Re: Gas Funcae in attic space behind bedroom closet

    No closer required on the attic access. Gravity is adequate.

    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Gas Funcae in attic space behind bedroom closet

    Depends - if the attic is a vented attic, no closer required, however, the wall (and the door) is the thermal envelope of the house, so the door still needs insulation on it and a gasketed seal around it (thermal envelope).

    However, if the attic is a sealed attic with insulation sprayed on the underside of the roof decking, then IRC G2406.2 Prohibited locations. 5. would kick in and the door would not only need to be weather-sealed (to seal the two areas from each other, not for thermal envelope), but the door would also need to be self-closing.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  4. #4

    Default Re: Gas Funcae in attic space behind bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    Depends - if the attic is a vented attic, no closer required, however, the wall (and the door) is the thermal envelope of the house, so the door still needs insulation on it and a gasketed seal around it (thermal envelope).

    However, if the attic is a sealed attic with insulation sprayed on the underside of the roof decking, then IRC G2406.2 Prohibited locations. 5. would kick in and the door would not only need to be weather-sealed (to seal the two areas from each other, not for thermal envelope), but the door would also need to be self-closing.
    Thanks Jerry

    Jeff Zehnder - Home Inspector, Raleigh, NC
    http://www.jjeffzehnder.com/
    http://carolinahomeinspections.com/

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Fredericksburg, VA
    Posts
    895

    Default Re: Gas Funcae in attic space behind bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Zehnder View Post
    Just found (in a new home) a furnace in an attic space that is accessed through a door inside a bedroom closet. The door has no closer, is this required?
    Mechanical code?
    Unless things have changed in NC the past couple of years, you are not allowed to mention the word, code, unless you include a history of the code in question. I think that pertained to the NC code and some got around that by referencing the IRC or IBC.

    The above statements are expressed solely as my opinion and in all probability will conflict with someone else's.
    Stu, Fredericksburg VA

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Gas Funcae in attic space behind bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart Brooks View Post
    Unless things have changed in NC the past couple of years, you are not allowed to mention the word, code, unless you include a history of the code in question. I think that pertained to the NC code and some got around that by referencing the IRC or IBC.
    How about if you said to the effect of "according to stated adopted construction standards" - that should be easy to figure out what you are referring to without stating what you are referring to - and then maybe even quoted the wording, but not a section number - after all, the contractor/etc should KNOW what the "code" requires and KNOW what section number it is.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •