Is Attic Access Required By Code

Suitable access your attic may presently have a fixed ladder a pull down ladder or no ladder at all.

Is attic access required by code.

The rough framed opening. Wednesday july 4 2018. A 30 inch 762 mm minimum unobstructed headroom in the attic space shall be provided at some point above the access opening. Where the access is located in a ceiling minimum unobstructed headroom in the attic space shall be 30 inches 762 mm at some point above the access measured vertically from the bottom of ceiling framing members.

To convert your attic to living space you cannot provide access via a ladder. Attic access is required international residential code 2003 requires any attic area exceeding 30sf in area and that have a vertical height of 30 inches or more. Hatches ad f ditid and doors access doors from conditioned spaces to unconditioned spaces e g attics and crawl spaces shall beattics and crawl spaces shall be weatherstripped and insulated to a level equivalent to the insulation on. The 2012 international residential code requires an attic access opening for attics with an area greater than 30 square feet and a vertical height in excess of 30 inches.

The florida building code fbc and international residential code irc both require a minimum of one attic access opening for homes with combustible such as wood roof construction if the attic space meets these two criteria. It appears that no code applies here locally as this was accessable on from a bedroom closet hatch and the decking was not installed as a permanent floor or walking surface. The attic is a. See the california mechanical code for access requirements where mechanical equipment is located in attics.

In summary building codes have changed topic 2006 iecc 2009 iecc access hth none 402 2 3 access hatches and doors.