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I’m not a builder but this seems to be my best bet for getting some answers….so here goes….. Does anyone know the ceiling height requirements by code for a finished space over a garage (in Maine)? I had specified that I wanted finishable space over the garage, ie. living space to my builder. I decided to go with a standard attic truss which he claimed would have plenty of headroom to finish later on (it’s 10/12 pitch). Today I drove out to the site and saw the trusses on the ground and put a tape measure to it and found that it was only 7ft opening, due to the cross bracing at the top being so low. |
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I dont know what the code in Maine is but the UBC(uniform building code) states min ceiling heights as 7ft.6in,but kitchens & bathrooms can be 7ft. (section 310.6.1) dont mess with the trusses,inspectors dont like that at all. You might want to spend $15.00 and buy a booklet called Code Check by Redwood Kardon its a Taunton product. You can get it at any good bookstore. Buy 2 if your Builder does not have one , money well spent!
Edited 3/21/2002 11:14:17 PM ET by G80104
If they're trusses forget about altering them period. I doubt there's any where in the country you could get away with that unless you had an architect/engineer sign off on it.
Seven foot would be IMO fine for ceiling height in something like an upper garage room, but you might want to take a look at the sides ......where the GC could put in half walls for head space/storage.
We once worked for a guy who owned a number of small apartment buildings. Most of these buildings had attic apartments with very low headroom. A short man himself, he called these his short people apartments and rented them out, at a slightly diminished price, to short people. The apartments were actually quite nice and the tenants were quite satisfied.
Also, were the trusses designed to carry live loads on their bottom chords?
I've been told that they are rarely designed for that use
I believe so Bob, I downloaded a spec sheet that specifies TCLL @ 42 PSF and BCDL @ 10 PSF. I'm assuming the LL is live load and the DL is dead load, though I don't know what the TC and BC are.
Ceiling height requirements are set and/or enforced by local codes. You need to ask locally, not around here. Your truss manufacturer probably knows those codes so I doubt that they would not meet code. (But anything is possible)
You don't say how wide your attic trusses are But if they're a fairly short span (Like 24' or so) that's probably all the headroom that was possible.
Moving the collar tie up may or may not be possible, depending on the span of the attic, lumber grades, and other things. But to do so you would have to have an engineer review the design and come up with a repair. The truss manufacturer can help with this.
BTW - "TC" means "Top Chord", and "BC" means "Bottom Chord". So the 42# TC live load is the snow load for your area. The 10# on the bottom chord is for a ceiling below the truss. There should be additional loads listed for the room area.
Also - What do you mean you "downloaded a spec sheet" ???
To Bob Walker - Attic trusses are, in fact, designed for storage and actually have a "room" built into them. Check out the attached drawing - It's probably what the attic truss in question looks like.
Edited 3/22/2002 7:35:42 AM ET by Boss Hog
The 10 #/sf rating is for ceiling weight and storage of light materials. The bottom chords will not support the load requirements for a room....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
The spec sheet that I obtained I downloaded from http://www.wsitruss.com/pb_trs03.asp
after further reading it does specify that the bottom chord live load is 30 psf and has an additional bottom chord dead load of 5 psf
the span of the garage is 24 feet, the kneewall chords (whatever you call them.....bear in mind I'm not a builder) are ~55 inches (inside dimension) and the length of the upper chord is ~70 inches (inside dimension)
30psf load is adequate for light storage or sleeping room only, not standard room loads. This is noted on the drawing files available on the link.
...that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Edited 3/22/2002 7:57:10 AM ET by Bungalow Jeff
that's pretty much what I was looking for ......having the ability to finish this area later on as a bedroom, also the spec sheet is for 24 inches on center, whereas I will be putting them 19.2 on center, not a big gain, but a gain nontheless
Interesting - I didn't know that anyone had their truss drawings online like that. And I've never heard of a truss company stocking attic trusses.
I assume your attic truss is type "A2410" ? That particular drawing won't open with my browser.
A met Steve Cabler a long time ago, back in my early days as a truss designer. He's a nice guy, and very sharp. (It's his seal that appears on the truss drawings)
I would say that based on the minimal designs of those trusses that it's unlikely that a repair could be drawn that would allow you to raise the collar tie. Only the truss company that made them could tell you for sure.
If you can't live with them as is, and can't repair them, look into having a custom set made. It will be more expensive, and will take some additional time. But theyu can play with the heel heights and get the room height/size you want.
Thanks for all the replies guys.........I'm off to go see if I can work something out with the builder.
Seems like we will be able to straighten things out.........I talked to the builder, he said that the collar ties have been higher on the ones that he had been using in the past. I made a few phone calls and was able to locate some trusses that have a 7'8" opening (from the bottom chord to the collar tie for 24 foot w/ 10/12 pitch). He said that he would order some and return the others.
Thanks for your help guys.
In addition to the 7'6" rule, UBC also states that 50% of a bedroom ceiling area must be over 7'. (Maybe Maine is different) If it's built as a closet and the project is signed off by the inspector, there's nothing keeping you from putting a bed in there later. BTW, does it have a window? (egress). Darrell
yes it will have an egress window, thanks for the tidbit about the 50% over 7ft...........I think I will be all set with that, but will double check