Replies

1. 
   JDRHI | Sep 10, 2002 05:42pm | #1

    Ive used louvered bypass doors for similar situations. Ideally though, you dont want to use the air from living space. Your best bet is to draw fresh outdoor air into mechanical area. This source needs to be sized accordingly. Hard to give you design ideas with such limited info though.

    Be sure to figure for proper egress in case of fire.

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

   
   

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   Edited 9/10/2002 10:45:10 AM ET by JAYBIRD

1. 
   ViviM1 | Sep 11, 2002 05:49am | #3

   Thanks for the info- the mechanical area is centrally located, with the flu (and footing for the masonry chimney) for the basement woodstove on oneside (stairs on the other side of flu).  We have fresh air coming into the basement as needed via a special intake. We can't completely block off the mechanical area as the fresh air also serves the instant on propane water heater, located about 30 feet away... Also, the hvac stuff is actually 2 units, and they wrap around a corner.  This is why I was thinking along the lines of a "cage"- try to do something that might be done in a Manhattan warehouse apartment.  Thanks again- Vivi

2. 
   UncleDunc | Sep 10, 2002 10:59pm | #2

   There was an article on guest bedrooms in a fairly recent Fine Homebuilding magazine. One of the points in the article was that if the mechanicals are audible from the bedroom, it won't be very restful for a guest who's not used to the sounds.

   Building a closet around it will block a lot of the sound, plus, with a door, you can put a lock on the door, which should take care of the 3 year old. If you bring in external combustion air, you might be able to omit vents in the door, which would block a lot of the remaining sound.

1. 
   ViviM1 | Sep 11, 2002 05:54am | #4

   I should go  back & read that article about guest rooms... if I make it noisy enough, would my guests not stay as long ?  ;)  Actually, the guest room would  be a considerable distance from the mechanical area & I was planning on soundproofing the guest room fairly well with insulation, as well as place a large closet on the side closest to the mechanical area.  As for combustion air, we have a special fan that brings air in as needed to service both HVAC units & the instant on propane water heater- but I can't split the air up (water heat on the other side of the basement...)

   Thanks for the help- Vivi

1. 
   rjw | Sep 11, 2002 02:03pm | #5

   Don't forget that any bedroom has to have two exits in case of fire, and a  window has toi be large enough for a firefighter to get in with all equipment on.

   Check with your local building officials for the size required in your area.

   BTW, you aren't using the same flue for the wood burner and a gas furnace or boiler, are you? 

   Edited 9/11/2002 7:04:37 AM ET by Bob Walker

1. 
   ViviM1 | Sep 11, 2002 03:33pm | #6

   Thanks Bob- I'll make sure there are two ways in to the bedroom & will double check the windows- I may have to re-arrange my ideas in my head :)  And no, we aren't using the same flue for everything.  We just finished building the house last year & we managed to pass our inspections with praise (passing is hard enough here, getting praised is unheard of)... Thanks again for your help-

1. 
   exlrrp | Sep 11, 2002 04:29pm | #7

   Escape windows have to be 24" high and 20" wide minimum, thats clear area when open, not Rough opening or window size.

   Also none of the doors to the flame burning equipment can open onto the bedroom.

   I had a basment apartment in a property I owned and it flooded 4 times in the 10 years I owned it--watch for this, a sump pump would be a good idea alsocheck the gutters

   James

   Edited 9/11/2002 9:30:47 AM ET by EXLRRP

2. 
   rjw | Sep 11, 2002 04:52pm | #9

   Escape windows have to be 24" high and 20" wide minimum,

   To avoid possible confusion, there still has to be 5.7 square feet of area; a 24" high by 20" wide window won't do it.

3. 
   rjw | Sep 11, 2002 04:50pm | #8

   Codes vary, but here's a generally applicable set of rules for emergency exits from basement areas:

   What are the requirements for emergency exit windows?In every sleeping room provide an emergency exit window 5.7 sq. ft or 820 sq. inches with a minimum openable height and width of 24” and 20” respectively. Finished sill height to be not more than 44” above the finished floor. UBC 97 Sec. 310.4.

   Window wells shall provide a minimum accessible net opening of 9 sq. ft., with a minimum dimension of 36”. Window wells with a vertical depth of more than 44” shall be equipped with an approved permanently affixed ladder or step.