Attic area exceeds 30 square feet and.
Irc required attic access drawing.
There you ll see that an access opening is all that is specified not stairs.
The 2009 and 2015 irc verbiage is similar and still applicable.
2009 international residential code irc topic 2006 irc 2009 irc page 469 access hatches none n1102 2 3 access hatches and doors access doors from and doors.
This section makes it very clear.
Attic access requirements after getting help from an internachi inspector we ve come up with irc r807 1 attic access.
The rough framed opening of the attic access shall be not less than 22 inches by 30 inches 559 mm by 762 mm for you canucks.
However if the attic is intended for storage the attic live load or some portion should also be considered for the design of other elements in the load path.
When the access is located in a ceiling minimum unobstructed headroom in the attic space shall be 30 inches 762 mm at some point above the access measured vertically from the bottom of ceiling framing members.
2attic loads may be included in the floor live load but a 10 psf attic load is typically used only to size ceiling joists adequately for access purposes.
See section m1305 1 3 for access requirements where mechanical equipment is located in attics.
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.
See the california mechanical code for access requirements where mechanical equipment is located in attics.
The international code council icc is a non profit organization dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design build and compliance process.
The international codes i codes are the widely accepted comprehensive set of model codes used in the us and abroad to help ensure the engineering of safe sustainable affordable and resilient structures.
Attics that meet the size and ceiling height criteria of the habitable attic definition in chapter 2 are considered habitable.
The international codes i codes are the widely accepted comprehensive set of model codes used in the us and abroad to help ensure the engineering of safe sustainable affordable and resilient structures.
The international code council icc is a non profit organization dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design build and compliance process.
Where the access is located in a ceiling minimum unobstructed headroom in the attic space shall be 30 inches 762 mm at some point above the access measured vertically from the bottom of ceiling framing members.
Minimum vertical height of 30 inches measured from the top of the ceiling framing members to the bottom of the roof framing members.
Please be aware of the definition and egress requirements of a habitable attic as it relates to dwellings built from the 2012 irc.
Wednesday july 4 2018.