HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 International Residential Code Tiny Homes Appendix201 5 lnternational Residential Code
APPENDIX V TINY HOUSES
CHAPTER PART AVIOI_ GENERAL
AVl0l.l Scope. This appendix shall be applicable to tiny houses used as single dwelling units. Tiny
houses shall comply with this code except as othenruise stated in this appendix.
CHAPTER PART AVI02_ DEFINITIONS
AVl02.l General. The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this appendix, have the
meanings shown herein. Refer to Chapter 2 of this code for general definitions.
EGRESS ROOF ACCESS WINDOW. A skylight or roof window designed and installed to satisfy the
emergency escape and rescue opening requirements in Section R310.2.
LANDING PLATFORM. A landing provided as the top step of a stairway accessing a loft.
LOFT. A floor level located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the main floor and open to it on at least
one side with a ceiling height of less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm), used as a living or sleeping space.
TINY HOUSE. A dwelling that is 400 square feet (37 m) or less in floor area excluding lofts.
CHAPTER PART AVI03_ CEILING HEIGHT
AVl03.l Minimum ceiling height. Habitable space and hallways in tiny houses shall have a ceiling
height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm). Bathrooms, toilet rooms, and kitchens shall have a
ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 4 inches (1930 mm). Obstructions shall not extend below these
minimum ceiling heights including beams, girders, ducts, lighting and other obstructions.
Exception: Ceiling heights in lofts are permitted to be less than 6 feet I inches (2032 mm).
CHAPTER PART AVIO4_ LOFTS
AV104.l Minimum loft area and dimensions. Lofts used as a sleeping or living space shall meet the
minimum area and dimension requirements of Sections 4V104.1 .1 through AVl04.l .3.
4V104.1.1 Minimum area. Lofts shall have a floor area of not less than 35 square feet (3.25 m)
AV1O4.1.2 Minimum dimensions. Lofts shallbe not less than 5 feel(1524 mm) in any horizontal
dimension.
AVíO4.1.3 Height effect on loft area. Portions of a loft with a sloping ceiling measuring less than 3 feet
(914 mm) from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not be considered as contributing to the
minimum required area for the loft.
Exception: Under gable roofs with a minimum slope of 6:12, portions of a loft with a sloping ceiling
measuring less than 16 inches (406 mm) from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not be
considered as contributing to the minimum required area for the loft.
AV1O4.2 Loft access. The access to and primary egress from lofts shall be any type described in
Sections AV 104.2.1 through AV104.2.4.
AV104.2.1 Stairuvays. Stairways accessing lofts shall comply with this code or with Sections AV104.2.1 .1
through AV104.2.1.5.
AV1O4.2.1.1W¡dth. Stairways accessing a loft shall not be less than 17 inches (432 mm) in clear width at
or above the handrail. The minimum width below the handrail shall be not less than 20 inches (508 mm).
AV104.2.1.2 Headroom. The headroom in stairways accessing a loft shall be not less than 6 feet 2
inches (1880 mm), as measured vertically, from a sloped line connecting the tread or landing platform
nosings in the middle of their width.
AV1O4.2.1.9 Treads and risers. Risers for stairs accessing a loft shall be not less than 7 inches (178
mm) and not more than 12 inches (305 mm) in height. Tread depth and riser height shall be calculated in
accordance with one of the following formulas:
1. The tread depth shall be 20 inches (508 mm) minus 413 of the riser height, or
2. The riser height shall be 15 inches (381 mm) minus 3/4 of the tread depth.
AV104.2.1.4 Landing platforms. The top tread and riser of stairways accessing lofts shall be constructed
as a landing platform where the loft ceiling height is less than 6 feet 2 inches (1880 mm) where the
stairway meets the loft. The landing platform shall be 18 inches to 22 inches (457 to 559 mm) in depth
measured from the nosing of the landing platform to the edge of the loft, and 16 to 18 inches (406 to 457
mm) in height measured from the landing platform to the loft floor.
AV104.2.1.5 Handrails. Handrails shall comply with Section R311.7.8.
AV104.2.1.6 Stalnrvay guards. Guards at open sides of stairways shall comply with Section R312.1.
AV104.2.2 Ladders. Ladders accessing lofts shallcomply with Sections 4V104.2.1 and AY104.2.2.
AV1O4.2.2.1Size and capacity. Ladders accessing lofts shall have a rung width of not less than 12
inches (305mm) and 10 inches (254 mm) to 14 inches (356 mm) spacing between rungs. Ladders shall
be capable of supportin g a 2O0 pound (75 kg) load on any rung. Rung spacing shall be uniform within 3/8-
inch (9.5 mm).
AV104.2.2.2lncline. Ladders shall be installed at 70 to 80 degrees from horizontal.
AV104.2.3 Alternating tread devices. Alternating tread devices accessing lofts shall comply with
Sections R31 1.7.1 1.1 and R31 1 .7.1 1.2. Tlrc clear width at and below the handrails shall be not less than
20 inches (508 mm).
AV104.2.4 Ships ladders. Ships ladders accessing lofts shall comply with Sections R3l1 .7.12.1 and
R311.7.12.2. The clear width at and below handrails shall be not less than 20 inches (508 mm).
4V104.2.5 Loft Guards. Loft guards shall be located along the open side of lofts. Loft guards shall not be
less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height or one-half of the clear height to the ceiling, whichever is less.
CHAPTER PART AVIOS_ EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS
AVlOS.l General. Tiny houses shall meet the requirements of Section R310 for emergency escape and
rescue openings.
Exception: Egress roof access windows in lofts used as sleeping rooms shall be deemed to meet the
requirements of Section R3l0 where installed such that the bottom of the opening is not more than 44
inches (1118 mm) above the loft floor, provided the egress roof access window complies with the
minimum opening area requirements of Section R310.2.1.