Egress from BR to garag = not a bedroom

[Atlanta CG]

In reading updates to an August posting, I noticed a comment regarding egress from a bedroom to a garage is not allowed and therefore the bedroom must be considered as some other room. While I've been in the business years, and have seen this condition a few times, I've never known it to be an "illegal" (is that the word?). Does anyone know the basis for this? Is it UBC code or local?

 

[larryhaskell]

John:

I don't think the room is actually illegal, it just can't be called a bedroom. In most jurisdictions, egress from what would be identified as a bedroom would be a fire code issue. Seems logical doesn't it, fire in the middle of the night, wake up and escape out your window into the garage or escape out your window to the outside. I've seen homes where people have placed their kids in places and called them bedrooms where there would be no hope for escape if there were a fire. Some bedrooms I would equate more to a dungeon than a bedroom.

 

[Rob Bodkin]

I think it also speaks to utility and perhaps marketability.

I think that most people, certainly I, would not want their bedroom to be a hallway to another room or the garage. I think that would be better described as a family/bonus/rec room.

Rob Bodkin
Freestone Partners

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Call it a "den" and quite worrying about it.

 

[Cowgirl]

I don't think it is a legal issue. But, it probably comes from the HUD/FHA requirements for being considered an actual room and part of the living square footage. That can be found in the HUD handbook and I am sure on their website.

 

[Mike Simpson]

Mike G.

I thought you were taking a 1 month vacation from the appraisers forum? Not as easy as it sounds is it--you be addicted? You need a Forum Patch!

I had the same problem years ago...I weaned myself off by reading only, no posts for nearly two years.

Uh...Oh...I hear my wife coming--I gotta go (she thinks I'm working).

Good Luck

-Mike

 

[Verne Hebert]

Call the building department. In a home the garage is considered a "hardardous area" (gasoline, paints, other flammables) hence the special requirement for the garage wall assembly.

There is a lot of ongoing reference to HUD, FNMA, etc..

Well, this all came from the UBC. Before all of these lending manuals, the UBC is what we used. I was certified in three of the eleven areas of the Uniform Code in the early 80's.

The most important issues in the code are EGRESS, and FIRE REQUIREMENTS. These areas are the ones that change more than any other every year.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Yes Mike, I am totally addicted, but it sure beats hanging out in AOL chat rooms asking "what are you wearing?. Now I ask it here, LOL!

Have to have something to do while the reports are being printed out. Actually I prefer live chat much more. Lets all meet in the chat room at 6PM EDT.

 

[Rob Bodkin]

Mike,

What are you wearing??

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Is that a speedo, fruit of the loom, or boxers?

(Please, don't answer!) :lol: