General starting out questions

I'm finishing my basement, and just got the permit (Illinois). A few questions for the experts as I plan and begin framing. Hopefully I'm not asking too many questions at once!

1) My village says that I have to have an outlet every 12 feet, pretty standard. I understand how to compute a circuit using volts x amps = watts. However, there are going to be many, many outlets in my basement that simply are probably never going to be used for anything, and will only be there just to meet code. How may rarely used outlets am I allowed to have on one 20 amp circuit? I don't know how to figure this out as they will probably never carry a load.

2) My village says that each room has to have a cold air return. Generally, what do I have to do to meet this requirement? Does the duct have to have a certain area in square feet? Can I just run a duct from each room to the main cold air return and just attach it anywhere to the main cold air return going into the furnace? What kind of ducting do I have to use?

3) If I build a full bathroom with a shower, a shower that will rarely be used, does code generally require that the bathroom have a ceiling vent fan?

4) What can I expect from my Village inspector when he/she comes for rough in/final visits? I'm definitely not an expert and this is my first major project. I took some classes at the community college on framing, plumbing, electrical, so between that and helping others finish their basements, I'm probably a guy of average skill (hopefully). Are these inspectors looking for "perfect" work? Do they tend to give the do-it-yourself guys a hard time?

Thanks,
Steve

 

Steve,

I will answer what I can but suggest that you post the electrical and heating questions over in Repair.

The issue of what is or might be required should have been given to you at time of picking up your permit. Here is some good examples that might help which includes info on bath fan, which is required if no window is present and must be vented to the outside.

http://www.co.larimer.co.us/building/basement.htm

http://www.whitebearlake.org/Buildin...ent%20Info.htm

http://www.cityofmarion.org/bldg_ins...nt_finish.html

As long as you are installing things to code, being an expert is not required but meeting code requirements is. This is not the place to slack off in wiring, plumbing and heating and framing. Read the attached links for help. If needed, call the inspector if you have questions. Bear in mind they are not there to tell you how to do things so don't be surprised if lack of information is withheld.

Hope this helps!

 

ualdriver,

Just thought this might be of interest to you on your first question....

divide the total wattage by 1440 to figure how many 15-amp circuits you need or by 1920 if using 20-amp circuits.

Confirm this with the electrical forum under Repair

 

1. See discussion of your question in the electrical forum.
3. Either an exhaust fan or a window.
4. Ask how many inspections will be required, and when. The inspector will expect complete code compliance, but it doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Some inspectors are patient and supportive with DIYers; others relish in making your life hell. Let's hope for the former. They do expect that you will have done your homework, and aren't past making you rip everything out if that's the only way to achieve code compliance, or to view something you have concealed. Make sure you understand the codes. The important ones are: egress, HVAC, egress, plumbing vents and drains, egress, furnace clearance and fresh air supply, egress, electrical, egress, firestopping, smoke detectors, GFCI, and finally egress. And don't forget egress.

 

John, so do you thing egress is important?

Thanks for all of your input!!

 

And speaking of egress, I looked up the code in one of those do-it-yourself books, and I have found that my escape window is .3 sq feet too small! It meets all the other requirements for max sill height and min length x width, and just by looking at this window, unless one is extremely obese one could easily crawl out of it!! If it matters, the room next door has an extremely large window that meets code for egress, but it won't be a bedroom either.

But code is code, and my village rules clearly say that a bedroom must have an egress window. The question I have is that when I submitted my plans to my village, I labeled the room as a "bedroom" even though I could care less if it is ever used as a bedroom and is just used as my study instead. If the village inspector walks into this room and says, sorry that window is not adequate, what do I do? Can I tell him that I just won't use it as a bedroom and leave the window as is? My semi-knowledgable friend says that if a room has a closet (this "bedroom/study" will have a 5' x 6' closet for storage) it automatically is a bedroom no matter what I use it for. So if this room has a closet, does it have to have an egress window no matter what I use it for?

Thanks,
Steve

 

Sometimes the code may seem extreme, but they have to apply to the broad spectrum of people (and their body types) who may one day inhabit the space. Plus, if you ever want to sell your house, meets code, always sounds better on paper than almost-to-code.

 

Any room with a door and a closet is a bedroom. It matters not what you intend to use it for, nor what you tell the inspector.

If it's really not a bedroom, you might ask your inspector if you can reframe the doorway as an unclosable opening. Or perhaps you can close off the closet door and provide access to that storage area from another room.

By the way, the 5.7 square feet is intended not only for you to get out, but for a fireman and his backpack to get in to rescue you.

 

Excellent point about the firefighter needing to get in. Thanks for everyone's time and all the input.

Steve