The new language more clearly defines an attic space that can be considered habitable by mandating compliance to other areas of the code that fall under habitable spaces.
Habitable attic space.
Ft and emergency escape and rescue access.
To pass code there must be at least 70 square feet where the ceiling height is 5 feet or.
Habitable attics require a vertical access and emergency escape and rescue opening.
For example a habitable attic space now has to have minimum headroom heights per section r305 a minimum square footage of 70 sq.
A finished or unfinished attic that has all the makings of a living space is a habitable attic.
An attic designation is appropriate only if the area is not considered occupiable.
The term habitable attic is relatively new to the residential code.
A floor area of 70 square feet or more.
Nothing improves a claustrophobic attic space like natural daylight.
This is applicable to finished and unfinished spaces.
Attic section 202 identifies an attic as that space between the ceiling beams at the top story and the roof rafters.
Attics that meet the size and ceiling height criteria of the habitable attic definition in chapter 2 are considered habitable.
Therefore where the conversion of an attic is required for habitable space then the rest of the house would also need to be upgraded if the completed house is to comply with building regulations.
If you intend to make your attic space a welcoming habitable space you may want to consider skylights dormers with windows or other wall openings to let light and air into the space perhaps even a door and exterior roof deck.
The criteria for a habitable attic is.
Habitable attic space must satisfy the same requirements that govern rooms in the rest of the house.
Where this area has a floor it would be defined as a story.
Therefore the attic must be designed up front to support its potential future state.