Requirements for a "legal" bedroom

tcb1003 · #1 Jul 2, 2009, 08:57 PM

I have a downstairs room with a door that opens to the inside of the lower lever - but no windows. My neighbor says that's not "legal" for a bedroom. What are the requirements for a legal bedroom? I would like to modify it to comply, if possible. Thanks.

hkstroud · Jul 2, 2009, 09:25 PM

Most local codes require that a bedroom have a window or door to escape to the exterior in case of fire.

caibuadday · Jul 4, 2009, 06:12 PM

.......and the bottom of the window couldnot be more than 3 ft from the ground

glassdoc · Jul 8, 2009, 09:02 AM

Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet with a minimum width 20", minimum height 24", maximum sill heigt of 44" above the floor.

ballengerb1 · Jul 10, 2009, 02:57 PM

All good answers but glassdoc nails it best. tell tcb why the dimensions are important and what constitutes an egress.

Stratmando · Jul 12, 2009, 05:44 PM

You will also need a Smoke Detector inside and out of Bedroom door, and Wireless Interconnected Smokes may be a solution for a distance between areas, and no way to get interconnect wire, between the 2 sets of Smokes.
Also a Switch for a Light(s), or switched recepticle.



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