habitable room , definiton
- Thread starter calvin1
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kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I don't like the NEC's use of the word "habitable" without a definition as to what it means when used by the code. If there is no definition for a word in the publication then the common language definition of the word is what is used. Merriam-Webster online dictionary says it means "capable of being lived in".
That is too subjective to interpretation. Go to some third world countries and see what some people live in, or even some of the homeless people near where you are, and you will see that a habitable space for some doesn't have very high standards compared to others. Climatic conditions can have a great impact on those standards also.
That is too subjective to interpretation. Go to some third world countries and see what some people live in, or even some of the homeless people near where you are, and you will see that a habitable space for some doesn't have very high standards compared to others. Climatic conditions can have a great impact on those standards also.
rcarroll
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
From the building codes, Habitable Space: A space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces & similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
It only helps if using the term as it associates with that particular code. If I were the framer, drywaller, etc then that might mean something to me, as the EC and having NEC being the standard to follow, it means nothing. NEC does not define habitable space and does not refer us to another publication for any definition either. So we must go to the general definition of the word as used in general language when applying that word to the NEC.
gotmud
Senior Member
- Location
- some place cold
or talk to your inspector...mine says a finished laundry room is a habital room therefore requiring arc fault:happysad:
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Article 100 SCOPE, says the NEC does not define terms that are in general use by other codes.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
OK, now what happens when you come to places like where I am when NEC is pretty much the only code that is being enforced? I have never seen or used any other codes, read about them in places like this forum.
Some may laugh, but I'm serious. Electrical licensing and inspection is statewide thing here, local jurisdictions can have their own program, and that is also where you see other codes. But everywhere else - especially dwellings there is pretty much no codes except for electrical. State Fire Marshal does inspect commercial buildings - but generally only looking for items that pertain to spread of smoke and fire, emergency egress and illumination, and for some reason ADA compliance.
It makes it a little hard to work with other trades at times when they don't understand you have to pass an inspection and they are used to doing things any way they want. Getting a GEC to a footing is a big problem, those guys don't care if you are there to do what you need to do or not, they show up on job - usually have concrete delivery scheduled before they even seen the site and have it poured before you even knew they were going to be there that day.
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