I live in Pennsylvania. Is there a building code that states if you have to
have a window and/or a vent in a full bathroom or a powder room (no
tub/shower)?

Thanks

--
Ray

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I live in Pennsylvania. Is there a building code that states if you have to
have a window and/or a vent in a full bathroom or a powder room (no
tub/shower)?

If you are CREATING a bathroom then the new bathroom must have
either a window or a mechanical vent. There is a not-so-subtle
difference between that and saying that you must have such
ventilation in all bathrooms.

I can't see why this should be a problem, though. If the
toilet fixture can be vented, so can the room it's in.

If you are CREATING a bathroom then the new bathroom must have
either a window or a mechanical vent. There is a not-so-subtle
difference between that and saying that you must have such
ventilation in all bathrooms.

I am renovating my full bathroom (which already has a window in it) and
creating a powder room in an old closet that has a window that is nailed
shut. I'm having both windows removed. In the full bathroom, I'm replacing
it with a smaller window. In the powder room, I'm replacing it with glass
blocks and adding a vent.

I was asking the question because I've had two plumbers/contractors in so
far and one told me I needed both while the other said either/or. I'm
siding with the either/or guy.

"Goedjn" wrote in message
...

I live in Pennsylvania. Is there a building code that states if you have
to
have a window and/or a vent in a full bathroom or a powder room (no
tub/shower)?

If you are CREATING a bathroom then the new bathroom must have
either a window or a mechanical vent. There is a not-so-subtle
difference between that and saying that you must have such
ventilation in all bathrooms.

I can't see why this should be a problem, though. If the
toilet fixture can be vented, so can the room it's in.

Ray wrote:

I am renovating my full bathroom (which already has a window in it)
and creating a powder room in an old closet that has a window that is
nailed shut. I'm having both windows removed. In the full bathroom,
I'm replacing it with a smaller window. In the powder room, I'm
replacing it with glass blocks and adding a vent.

I was asking the question because I've had two plumbers/contractors
in so far and one told me I needed both while the other said
either/or. I'm siding with the either/or guy.

Why not call the building inspector for the right answer for your community?

--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

Do you know what code governs your project?
Internationsl Residential Code 2003, Section R303.3 Light, Ventilation
& Heating, Bathrooms - says: Bathrooms, water closet comparments and
other similar rooms shall be provided with aggregate glazing area in
windows of not less than 3 square feet, one half of which must be
operable.
Exception: The glazed areas shall not be required where artificial
light and a mechanical system are provided. The minimum ventilation
rates shall be 50 cfm for intermittent ventilation. Ventilation air
shall be exhausted directly to the outside.

TB

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
Ray wrote:


I am renovating my full bathroom (which already has a window in it)
and creating a powder room in an old closet that has a window that is
nailed shut. I'm having both windows removed. In the full bathroom,
I'm replacing it with a smaller window. In the powder room, I'm
replacing it with glass blocks and adding a vent.

I was asking the question because I've had two plumbers/contractors
in so far and one told me I needed both while the other said
either/or. I'm siding with the either/or guy.


Why not call the building inspector for the right answer for your community?

here in Georgia an answer from a building inspector will greatly depend
on which inspector and what mood they are in at the time. I have never
had any of them able to produce many of their requirements in writing
but what they say goes.

What does "directly to the outside" mean? Can I run a vent pipe from the
bathroom exhaust fan to a point immediately adjacent to the roof vent --
on the inside of the roof?

And if the bathroom does have an "operable" window?

Perce


On 10/26/05 07:00 pm tossed the following
ingredients into the ever-growing pot of cybersoup:

Do you know what code governs your project?
Internationsl Residential Code 2003, Section R303.3 Light, Ventilation
& Heating, Bathrooms - says: Bathrooms, water closet comparments and
other similar rooms shall be provided with aggregate glazing area in
windows of not less than 3 square feet, one half of which must be
operable.
Exception: The glazed areas shall not be required where artificial
light and a mechanical system are provided. The minimum ventilation
rates shall be 50 cfm for intermittent ventilation. Ventilation air
shall be exhausted directly to the outside.

MC wrote:

here in Georgia an answer from a building inspector will greatly
depend on which inspector and what mood they are in at the time. I
have never had any of them able to produce many of their requirements
in writing but what they say goes.

It's all codified in a book...ask them which they use.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

"dadiOH" wrote in message
news:X_28f.8341$Yn4.3895@trnddc03...
MC wrote:

here in Georgia an answer from a building inspector will greatly
depend on which inspector and what mood they are in at the time. I
have never had any of them able to produce many of their requirements
in writing but what they say goes.

It's all codified in a book...ask them which they use.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico



Sounds like the cart is before the horse. To even get a permit for a
bathroom renovation in my city I had to submit plans for approval. In that
process, the city employee made sure I had all the features required by code
and plastered stickers quoting code (at least the ones they pay attention
to) all over my drawing so noone could miss it.

Sounds like you are just discussing plans with contractors so you haven't
really got to that point yet. But by and large, it is an "either/or"
situation. A vent is easy compared to trying to fit a skylight above a
powder room, its just not practical.

I suggest you go out and buy the relevant "code check" books that are
usually at the checkout at HD for less than $20 you have all the answers you
need. Some other issues you may not be aware of is 15" to either side of
toilet (center line) and 24" in front will determine the min dimention of
the room and minimum lighting efficiency standards might be in place.

Outside means outside, not inside your attic. In fact code defines a min
distance from other openings in the house (I think 15") and min distance
from adjascent structures. You also cannot tie into another vent.

Exausting, especially humid bathroom air, into an attic is foolish. It will
saturate your insulation with moisture making it less efficient and promote
frost and other damaging moisture related effects in the winter and cool
months. It could even directly feed mold in worst cases.

If the bath has a window that can open, that will usually serve the purpose
of a vent but area of window vs. size of room ratios may be enforced (not
sure for a bathroom but true for other living spaces)




"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
What does "directly to the outside" mean? Can I run a vent pipe from the
bathroom exhaust fan to a point immediately adjacent to the roof vent --
on the inside of the roof?

And if the bathroom does have an "operable" window?

Perce


On 10/26/05 07:00 pm tossed the following ingredients
into the ever-growing pot of cybersoup:

Do you know what code governs your project?
Internationsl Residential Code 2003, Section R303.3 Light, Ventilation
& Heating, Bathrooms - says: Bathrooms, water closet comparments and
other similar rooms shall be provided with aggregate glazing area in
windows of not less than 3 square feet, one half of which must be
operable.
Exception: The glazed areas shall not be required where artificial
light and a mechanical system are provided. The minimum ventilation
rates shall be 50 cfm for intermittent ventilation. Ventilation air
shall be exhausted directly to the outside.