Mechanical Ventalation for finished basement

Ted_9

I have a customer that cant get the occupancy permit because he finished half of the basement in his house thats almost complete. The inspector said he needs to have mechanical ventalation because there arent enough windows.

Any idea on what can be installed?

EDIT: this is not for a mechanical room. The boiler has its own fresh air intake.

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JimGPE_3

Could be as simple as...

a register from his central furnace. I'm guessing (and you could ask) that he just wants some air movement down there, not necessarilly outside air ventilation.

If this home does not have a central a/c system, I suggest a very small mini-split (pretty high price), or perhaps a window air conditioner (pretty economical) in the window you do have. Whatever you do can be undone after they get their c of o....

Matt_21

if you just

want ventilation to appease the inspector, install a small supply fan and duct it to an opening outdoors (maybe through one of windows). You can always remove it later. It's going to be bringing cold air in the winter. If you want something permanant install a HRV unit. JimGPE is right. If there is a furnace a small register should suffice.

Ted_9

I forgot to add that its a forced hot water install.

That was one problem, use a fan or duct at the window but the air is unconditioned especially a problem in the winter.

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ed wallace

mechanical ventalation

the inspector must want a permenant air supply to the heating or water heater try a field fan in a can system

ed wallace

mechanical ventalation

the inspector must want a permenant air supply to the heating or water heater try a field fan in a can system

ed wallace

mechanical ventalation

the inspector must want a permenant air supply to the heating or water heater try a field fan in a can system

ed wallace

mechanical ventalation

the inspector must want a permenant air supply to the heating or water heater try a field fan in a can system

Ted_9

Its for the living space. He said there were not enough windows and there fore needed mechanical ventalation.

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Matt Clina

Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Would the inspector settle for a bathroom exhaust fan? Some codes require these in bathrooms that do not have windows. There is nothing saying that the HO ever needs to run the fan, and if he did, the result would be several tiny leaks throughout the rest of the house to make up for the lost air.

Or could this possibly create pressure problems which would impact the draft on the boiler, causing CO issues and potentially killing everyone?

Probably best to just ignore my advice.

Good luck.

Matt_21

install a hrv unit

lifebreath (www.lifebreath.com) and several other companies make them. they recover the heat from the exhausted air and transfer it to the fresh air coming in. you can use them without a furnace but you may need to add a small elec duct heater to make up the temp differential with the winter outdoor air.

Ted_9

Matt Clina: Thats not a problem since the boiler is sealed combustion.

HRVs are a great idea but totally unnesisary for a basement room.


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Constantin

Hi Ted!

I must be dense but perhaps you can clarify the cobwebs that shroud this problem. If I understand you correctly, we are dealing with a half-finished basement. Said basement contains a sealed combustion boiler. However, no mention was made of the WH... what type is it?

Next, is the inspector denying the permit on the basis of a lack of ventilation or because of the combustion appliances? The latter can be solved elegantly with an IDWH, whereas the former will probably necessitate some form of ventilation system... an HRV is not necessarily a bad thing under the circumstances, it can dump fresh air into the basement as well as the return ducts of the AC system.

Ted_9

Thanks for the responses.

Hello Constantin. Yes there is an indirect. This is not a mechnical ventalation issue for appliances. It is because there are not enought windows to venalate the finished basement are. An HRV is a substantial cost for this situation . We are looking for a more basic solution.

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jackchips_2

Ted,

has the inspector given you the chapter and verse of the code that applies? It would seem that would tell you what has to be done.

Inspectors responsibilty should include what has to be done to pass, not just it doesn't pass. It will be interesting how you solve this, keep us updated.

Jack

Ted_9

The builder is looking at the building code now. I think that uf an inspector can enforce such a code, he should be able to give an example of a solution too.

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don_52

Ted

I,looked this up, 8% natural light and ventilation per
square foot of floor area which means "windows".

There are some differences on how to accomplish this,ie;
4% light, 8% ventilation, adjoining rooms, etc.

There are also "exceptions" to rehab of existing structures.

Suprised he ( inspector ) didn't bring up "means of egress"
as well?

Also curious as to how "the builder" missed that?

oh brother!

The figures above are pretty much standard for new const.,
most locals, that I checked have adopted this.

The good ( or bad ) news is that they can supplement with
mechanical or put in some small "hopper" windows.

I can post this here or email it.

Regards,

Matt_25

Means of Egress

I am pretty sure that the means of egress in a basement is only a requirement if you have a bedroom down there. There is a minimum window size and height above the floor requirement in order to use a basement room as a bedroom, otherwise it can be finished and used as a playroom or other living space.

In one of my previous houses, the builder finished off a room in the basement for us, but he couldn't build a closet in the room. Instead of a bedroom, it had to be called an office, because it only had one of those small, high, basement windows. Even though right outside this room was a walk out basement.

don_52

100% correct Matt

That's all covered in article 12, authorities having
jurisdiction will vary, some want two means, like your
"walk out" and an escape well.
However under "rehab codes" there are some "exceptions"
for existing structures,like your previous home, depending on where your at.

Regards,

RoosterBoy

ted here you go

here ted use this problem solved

http://www.tjernlund.com/Freshairintake.htm

brings in fresh air to your house easy to install

Darin Cook_3

How About

doing a blower door test and prove that the house meets the required amount of air exchanges per hour? It is one thing to do something if it is needed and a waste to do it if it is not. Hope this helps.






Darin

Robert O'Connor_7

Ted and the air.....

Did the inspector give verbal orders or was it put on a red sticker/and or a violation notice? What code and or code section was referenced? If nothing was written, a call to the inspector may be in order so we may properly understand what air he/she is speaking of. I know I could help, I just need more info from the AHJ...Robert O'Connor/NJ

Uni R

Although useful...

That blower door test would cost about the same as just sticking in a bathroom type vent.

joel_19

mass code

The Mass code official is correct that is code in our state although I can't remember where at the moment .I do remember bieng called on it a few years ago and looking it up and it was there. An HRV is very good for a basement we have used them to fix the typical basement dank/ musty air smell with great succses . Another way is with areally good dehumidifer such as the Sahara . These blow away any regular dehumidifier and can bring in fresh air , two birds one stone.