[archiero]

I have a finished basement, but the staircase down is wide open from the front foyer (townhouse). I was thinking of framing and installing an interior door (with small windows) at the bottom of the stairs so that light would still get in the basement, but I could be down there with my little one and not worry about her trying to climb the stairs. Any ideas on codes I should know about before I start? Any advice?

Thanks

 

[bjbatlanta]

Why not a child gate until she gets bigger?? Don't know of any code that would affect what you put in....

 

[archiero]

thought about just doing that, but also thought of the door as a sound barrier as well so that having someone in the basement working out to music won't disturb the person upstairs watching tv and vice versa.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

As long as you have a 3' landing you should be good
Door min height I think is 6' 8" ?

 

[Gary in WA]

Egress: A second means of egress to the exterior is needed for each bedroom and for basements with habitable space. Doors: required exit is 3' wide x 6'8" high (side-hinged) door (1005.3.2.1 UBC)

Landings: landing required at top and bottom of stairs EXC door at interior stair may open away from top step (1003.3.5 and 1003.3.1.6X UBC)

Landing minimum 36" deep X width of door or stair (1003.3.3.5 UBC) Be safe, GBAR