When does a crawl space become a basement?

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emf10

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I was at a house today where they wanted a receptacle installed for a sump pump. The "basement" is about 4.5' high. So it raised the question is this a basement or a crawl space? There are stairs down to it from inside the house and you can walk around by ducking, but to me it is more of a crawl space. Since we're still on the 2005 code cycle here in PA, if it's a basement that would allow a non-GFCI recpt. installed if dedicated to the sump pump, but if it's a crawl space it will require a GFCI regardless (it is below grade). I think I'm putting a GFCI on it either way, but was just wondering what this space should be called...crawlment?
 
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emf10 said:
..... The "basement" is about 4.5' high. So it raised the question is this a basement or a crawl space? There are stairs down to it from inside the house and you can walk around by ducking, but to me it is more of a crawl space. .................but was just wondering what this space should be called...crawlment?
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In order to meet the definition of "basement" and therefore be subject to the rules pertaining to "basement", the space must fall within the definition of basement. In our BCNYS, it's defined as:

Basement.That portion of a building that is partly or completely below grade plane. A basement shall be considered as a story above grade plane where the finished surface of the floor above the basement is: 1. more than 6 feet above grade plane; 2. More than 6 feet above the finished ground level for more than 50 % of the total building perimeter, or; 3. More than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any point.
 
You have to leave the IRC and go to the IBC to get a better definition of basement VS crawlspace. The post above is correct and what you described is considered a crawlspace.

Is the $8. difference in price for a receptacle VS a regular single outlet worth the trouble of posting or having to go back and change it out anyway?

If this is new construction then the approved prints should let you know.

In PA, the 2006 IRC & IBC are in effect along with the 2005 NEC just in case you did not know that.

You also need to know if the municipality you are working in has any ammendments to the PA UCC. Only those ammendments approved by the PA Dept. of L&I are enforceable. Click here for a list: http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=310&q=211088
 
ivsenroute said:
Is the $8. difference in price for a receptacle VS a regular single outlet worth the trouble of posting or having to go back and change it out anyway?
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It will be on a GFCI breaker. That way if it does trip they wont have to crawl through that space to reset it. Also it might be less susceptible to nuisance tripping than a GFCI recpt. in a potentially humid location.

Cost wasn't the issue. I was concerned of the sump nuisance tripping the GFCI and allowing the place to flood and ruin all their stuff when possibly it wasn't a code requirement. But I would rather that happen than someone get hurt or worse.
 
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I had an argument with a loco inspector once about what constituted an unfinished "basement" VS a crawl space.

I challenged him that IF the tax assessor had classified the square footage as "basement" I would install running boards on the wires fastened to under-sides of the joists. Since the tax assessor was another official department of the county, I would accept that as prima-facia evidence.

I got the last laugh on that one. Seems the homeowner would not stomach having to pay for square footage for a "crawl space" and would have challenged any such assessment put forth by the tax man... :D

Inspector-critter backed off big time!;)


It really was a "Crawl" space ... 3 feet clearance at most!
 
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