Replies

1. 
   DANL | Sep 30, 2004 02:09pm | #1

   Others who know codes will certainly respond, but as far as I know, you only need egress if the space will be used as a bedroom. Other than that, I can't help you, but several people who use this site are building inspectors and can give you good info.

2. 
   Cole | Sep 30, 2004 03:34pm | #2

   robzan,

   I finish basements in Colorado and here are a few things we do and follow:

   1.  7' min headroom,  6'6" from duct or beam projections.

   2.  5.7 sq ft window area for egress in sleeping rooms only

   3.  We float all walls over treated sole plates because the slabs float here

   4.  Fire stopping and blocking at soffits around ductwork, steel beams

   What I can think of at the moment

   Cole

   Cole Dean

   Dean Contracting

1. 
   TrimButcher | Sep 30, 2004 04:47pm | #3

   Cole, I'm curious, how do you do and what do you use for your fire stopping and blocking?

   Regards,

   Tim Ruttan

1. 
   Cole | Oct 01, 2004 08:29pm | #8

   Tim,

   We use unfaced batts for firestops in joist bays above walls, and in soffits.  We can also use gypsum board, but the insulation guys usually take care of it for us.

   ColeCole Dean

   Dean Contracting

2. 
   robzan | Oct 01, 2004 05:34pm | #6

   Hello Cole- I appreciate you sharing your knowledge- what do you mean by "floating the wall" and "floating slab" ?  Do you mean that the slab is not connected to the footings?  Thanks.

1. 
   Cole | Oct 01, 2004 08:27pm | #7

   Rob,

   Basement slabs here are independent of the footings.  They move up and down seasonally, so we float the walls.  Basically a treated 2x is shot down to the slab, then a standard stud wall is "hung" from the floor joists and pinned to the treated plate with 60d spikes to curb lateral movement.  I usually leave a 1.5 inch gap between the bottom of the wall and the treated plate.  This assembly only works well if your drywall is held up and the base is fastened to the wall only.  Although if the slab does move it will push the base up, but only minimal damage will occur.  Actually, now that I think about it it may make more sense to fasten the base to the plate only, then they could move in unison.  Might try that, if i can still keep the base tight to the wall. 

   Btw, a trick for keeping the base from rolling under the drywall at the bottom is to run a few DW screws into the plate flush with the edge of the drywall so the bottom of the base rests against them when you nail it off.

   ColeCole Dean

   Dean Contracting

1. 
   robzan | Oct 02, 2004 05:57am | #9

   Hello Cole,   Well, you learn something every day!  I have never heard of a slab moving like that.  Is it expansive clay soil, or just the temperature that moves it?  We would be in trouble if slabs out here moved like that, as we pour them on grade a lot of the time.  Except in expansive clay soils.  Thank you for the info and have a nice weekend.  RZ

1. 
   Cole | Oct 02, 2004 03:20pm | #10

   Hi Rob,  Actually a combination of both clay and temp. There are a couple of subdivisions out here built on bentonite, and the foundations sit on piers drilled to bedrock.

   The basement I am working on now really had some slab movement in the last 4 years.  The builder didn't put a bond breaker around the lally columns before the slab was poured and when it lifted it took two of the columns with it and pushed a center bearing wall upstairs up about 2".  Builder had to come in and cut around the columns and install a bond breaker.  I then cut the posts down and rewelded the plates on so we could continue to slowly lower the house.

   The  staircase to the basement is hung from the floor joists with 2 x 4.  the bottom step is 1" above the slab.

   Cole Cole Dean

   Dean Contracting

3. 
   fredsmart48 | Sep 30, 2004 09:08pm | #4

   The codes that I know about require basement to have an emergency and escape window in a basement bedroom or if the basement contains habitable space. The size is 5.7 square feet of operable area except for windows at grade. Those windows can be 5.0 sq ft. The window sill needs to be within 44 inches of grade. Having said that not all codes are created equal so you need to check with your local code official and ask them what they require.

4. 
   robzan | Oct 01, 2004 05:31pm | #5

   Thank you all for your help!  I appreciate it.