The basement should not be living space. The exposed wiring, plumbing and mechanical makes it unsafe for habitat. I'm guessing you don't have egress out the basement to the exterior or egress (escape) windows out the bedrooms, required by code. I doubt your Home-owners Insurance would cover any death or accident as the space is not ready for living in. Be safe, G
Finishing a basement ceiling/Covering up floor joist/insulation/sound barrier
please take a look at these pics:
www.flickr.com/photos/ismaili
I live in the basement of a house that we are renting and the ceiling in the basement is exposed. I wanted to try and cover it up the best I can for many reasons such as; in the winter its very cold and there is not much heat retention, sometimes if a drink is spilled up stairs it can leak a little if not cleaned up right away, and to try and have some type of noise barrier. Of course the wiring, HVAC, and plumbing are all over the place which makes it difficult. I was thinking of a drop ceiling but it would make it very low, or some type of heavy vinal I heard was good for sound. Also I wanna do this as cheap as possible prob no more then 200.
Thanks.
www.flickr.com/photos/ismaili
I live in the basement of a house that we are renting and the ceiling in the basement is exposed. I wanted to try and cover it up the best I can for many reasons such as; in the winter its very cold and there is not much heat retention, sometimes if a drink is spilled up stairs it can leak a little if not cleaned up right away, and to try and have some type of noise barrier. Of course the wiring, HVAC, and plumbing are all over the place which makes it difficult. I was thinking of a drop ceiling but it would make it very low, or some type of heavy vinal I heard was good for sound. Also I wanna do this as cheap as possible prob no more then 200.
Thanks.
1 - 2 of 5 Posts
The plumbing, wiring, and mechanical are supposed to be covered with 5/8" drywall on ceiling, 1/2" on walls. As per code for fire safety.
Google any of these code numbers.
Separation in two family dwellings: 2-family reqs 1 hr construction at common walls and floor/ceiling... IRC 317.1 UBC 310.1
EXC....1/2 hr OK if automatic sprinkler system present.. 317.1X
The bedrooms are required to have their own egress window as a second means of escape to the outside in case of fire. http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuil...code-violations-emergency-egress-windows.aspx
They would not sue the landlord, and if you did, I doubt you would win. They would just deny your claim. Call your local Building Department and ask them, explain the living conditions, you don't even have to use your name. Google: basement requirements
Is your furnace in it's own room, with outside air supplied to it if gas fueled? Is the furnace room door weather-stripped and solid core for fire?
Are the stair down to basement 3' wide? Door at the bottom 3' from last step? Door at the top swings away from stairs? Possible codes required.
Be safe, G
Google any of these code numbers.
Separation in two family dwellings: 2-family reqs 1 hr construction at common walls and floor/ceiling... IRC 317.1 UBC 310.1
EXC....1/2 hr OK if automatic sprinkler system present.. 317.1X
The bedrooms are required to have their own egress window as a second means of escape to the outside in case of fire. http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuil...code-violations-emergency-egress-windows.aspx
They would not sue the landlord, and if you did, I doubt you would win. They would just deny your claim. Call your local Building Department and ask them, explain the living conditions, you don't even have to use your name. Google: basement requirements
Is your furnace in it's own room, with outside air supplied to it if gas fueled? Is the furnace room door weather-stripped and solid core for fire?
Are the stair down to basement 3' wide? Door at the bottom 3' from last step? Door at the top swings away from stairs? Possible codes required.
Be safe, G
1 - 2 of 5 Posts
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