Basement Finishing Question

[torontochris]

very good point

If I may make a couple of suggestions.
Since you're turning the basement into usable space. Install sound insulation in the walls and use a fire rate door, it will also cut down on noise migration. You don't want to hear the fan cycling everytime the furnace or AC is in use.

"safe and sound" is both fireproof and soundproof. i put it between the furnace and spare room in the basement and it makes a HUGE difference. same for bathroom/bedroom walls.

cheers

 

[torontochris]

ok genius

Another fountain of misinformation. You need a permit for just about everything not cosmetic in nature. You DO need a permit to install new partition doors because there are by-laws that limit the size of door you can use (if it is the only bathroom it has to be handicapped accessible), the location of outlets and the number of them required, the size and type of wire used and where junctions are made etc etc etc.

you're right about the electricity, but the building code says nothing about door sizes for internal doors on private dwellings.

e=mc2, that was you right? hahah

 

[tboy]

you're right about the electricity, but the building code says nothing about door sizes for internal doors on private dwellings.

e=mc2, that was you right? hahah

Sorry BZZZZZZZZ wrong answer.....building codes require that at least one bathroom have a door at least 34" wide in order to allow wheelchair access...Now this doesn't apply to pre-existing conditions but if you do a complete remodel, the new code comes into effect.

Also on new construction (don't know if this also applies to remodels) but the light switches also have to be wheelchair accessible (I think it's 36" from the floor)......

 

[Grind]

haha look what I started... I guess I should clarify.. I'm not moving my furnace behind a door. I'm putting a wall/door in front of it. I would never even touch any of the gas pipes. I can frame walls and do drywall and minor electical, but gas I do not touch. I've learned to actually kind of enjoy that stuff.. wasn't really my thing before I had a need to do it last year.

 

[tboy]

haha look what I started... I guess I should clarify.. I'm not moving my furnace behind a door. I'm putting a wall/door in front of it. I would never even touch any of the gas pipes. I can frame walls and do drywall and minor electical, but gas I do not touch. I've learned to actually kind of enjoy that stuff.. wasn't really my thing before I had a need to do it last year.

GOOD, not to sound arrogant but you'd be surprised at how many times I hear about people doing the stupidest things such as: removing load bearing walls, playing with live electrical wiring, and fucking around with gas lines (while there is still gas in them I might add).

 

[oldjones]

So follow the advice about permits and inspections; if you ask them, "Must I get a permit from you?" they'll tell you, and it's a knowledge, safety and quality control check your taxes pay for.

Whenever you enclose servives—and a basement is just a hole in the ground where we stash all the services—you need to think about how repair guys will access them. From experience: Furnaces do not last forever and rising energy prices make the higher efficiency ones more attractive all the time. Higher efficiency often means shorter life. Will it be replaced while you're in the house?

Plan the enclosure for straightforward furnace replacement, big door or doors ,as you mentioned, and 'permanent' walls built as independent units, screwed (round or washer heads please, and marked) in place. Leave slight gaps you can cover w/ trim, so they can be moved instead of demolished. That way, if you were over-optimistic about what the furnace guys could do thru a door, your rebuild will be minimal. Movie carpenters would call it a 'wild wall'.