Is it a bedroom or just a room?

Question

I Just had my walk out basement finished. It now has a laundry closet, 3/4 bathroom, mechanical closet next to the sliding glass doors and space for a bedroom. The mechanical closet is attached to the room, can I still call it a bedroom?  Is there anything that I can do to make the mechanical closet safe and acceptable next to the bedroom?  Being able to market this house as a 3 bedroom instead of 2 makes a HUGE difference.

Lynnette E. · Answer

Make sure that the mechanical closet is vented to the outside if anything in the closet produces CO2, put in a closet, have either 2 doors or a door and window that is large enough for escape in case of a fire.  Then ask the local planning department if it could be classified as a bedroom.  Oh, and make sure you have permits for everything you did!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Yep, check with zoning. You typically require two modes of egress and a closet. You also have to ensure the mechanical room is properly separated and vented to prevent gases from entering the sleeping area. It sounds like you meet that but I would definitely have P&Z confirm.

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

@Patty Capson

There a few things to meet code compliance.  It is always subject to the inspector, but here are the rules.  The gas furnace cannot be located in the bedroom.  If the bedroom closet contains the furnace and you can access it from the bedroom it’s illegal.  An emergency escape window is required in the bedroom.  A sliding glass door in the walkout basement area does not suffice for the emergency escape for the bedroom. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide are required as well.  Bedroom ceiling height must be 7 feet in height.

Good Luck.

Owen Dashner · Answer

As others have mentioned, check with your local building department, but most municipalities require 2 points of egress, a heat source, a closet and a minimum ceiling height of 7 ft.  Is the furnace electric or gas? This matters because of the cold air return/venting calculations for carbon monoxide/dioxide emitting  heat sources.Pics would be helpful - is there no way to make another entry point to the mechanical room, close off the entrance to it from the bedroom and add a separate closet?  That would seem to be the best way to solve the mechanical closet issue.

Patty Capson · Answer

I won't need an egress window because it's a walkout, through a sliding glass door.

John Teachout · Answer

This will be determined on a local level. Talk to your county/city inspector and see what if any requirements must be met to call it a bedroom. I assume it has the required egress windows, etc.

Is it a bedroom or just a room?

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