Residential Bathroom Code Requirements
Ventilation is a classic example of good design rules picking up where code leaves off.
Residential bathroom code requirements. In addition to general lighting task lighting should be provided for each functional area in the bathroom i e. The latest code provides requirements aimed at new construction or major remodeling jobs where the bathroom footprint is being expanded. These codes determine the distances. To give you the full picture i ll be covering residential bathroom building codes as well as bathroom design recommendations from the national kitchen and bath association that serve as excellent rules of thumb.
The shower door needs to have an opening clearance of at least 24 inches. Existing bathrooms in older homes will rarely meet all these requirements and homeowners are usually allowed to do routine repairs and remodeling without bringing the entire bathroom up to code. Bathroom building code typically says that toilets need at least 21 inches of clearance in front. 2012 international residential code requirements for toilets sinks and showers in bathrooms.
Every bathroom whether big or small needs to follow certain building codes in its construction. In many homes the family bathroom is the only bathroom. All bathroom designers are in agreement that bathrooms need powered ventilation fans as the code minimum requirement for an operable window is considered archaic. I ll be delving into dimensions spacing between walls and fixtures ceiling height and much more.
Section 305 of the international residential code book covers ceiling height requirements required at front clearance of plumbing fixtures. Opting for 30 inches provides a more comfortable space though. Bathroom layout you should know. So says the building code.
Includes headroom size and clearance specifications. Side to side clearance. Dimensions and building regulations for a small bathroom. Irc 307 and 305 section 307 of the international residential code book covers water closet bath and shower spaces.
A minimum of 15 inches from center line of the toilet to the nearest obstruction. If you re doing a bathroom remodel you need a permit and that means you need to be familiar with the bathroom building code for plumbing and ventilation which is based on the international residential code irc and on either the international plumbing code ipc or the uniform plumbing code upc depending on where you live. Too many tragedies involving young child occur with scalding hot water surprisingly coming from the shower or bathtub faucet. The information on this page is taken from the official government code book in sections r305 r307 beginning on page 54 of the 2012 irc.