Wednesday july 4 2018.
Attic access requirements irc.
The vertical height shall be measured from the top of the ceiling framing members to the underside of the roof framing members.
2015 irc mechanical 1305 1 3 2 access for cooling or heating appliancefor residential application the attic space in which any cooling or heating appliance is installed shall be provided with a permanent ladder for folding away ladder or direct access door opening from the house on the same floor level.
Section r807 attic access r807 1 attic access.
Buildings with combustible ceiling or roof construction shall have an attic access opening to attic areas that exceed 30 square feet 2 8m squared and have a vertical height of 30 inches 762 mm or more.
Minimum vertical height of 30 inches measured from the top of the ceiling framing members to the bottom of the roof framing members.
You will also see that for smaller attic areas no access is required whatsoever in my view some access to all such limited space areas is desirable to permit visual inspection for leaks or damage pest control etc.
Vertical access can be a fixed internal stair ramp or exterior stair.
The rough framed opening.
A fixed stair or ramp is required on an attic that meets the habitable attic criteria unless a door directly to the exterior is installed in the space.
Buildings with combustible ceiling or roof construction shall have an attic access opening to atticareas that exceed 30 square feet 2 8 m2 and that have a vertical height of 30 inches 762 mm or greater over an area of not less than 30 square feet.
Habitable attics require a vertical access and emergency escape and rescue opening.
Attic area exceeds 30 square feet and.
Current international residential code irc 12 13 section r807 attic access.
There you ll see that an access opening is all that is specified not stairs.
Buildings with combustible ceiling or roof construction shall have an attic access opening to attic areas that have a vertical height of 30 inches 762 mm or greater over an area of not less than 30 square feet 2 8 m 2.
Attics containing appliances shall be provided with an opening and a clear and unobstructed passageway large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance but not less than 30 inches 762 mm high and 22 inches 559 mm wide and not more than 20 feet 6096 mm long measured along the centerline of the passageway from the opening to the appliance.
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.
2006 irc residential construction.