How To Look At A House
McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of
site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes
Does a half bathroom (no shower or tub) require an exhaust fan?
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
The Florida Building Code (R303.3) specifies that any “bathrooms, water closet compartments, or other similar rooms” require either a window or exhaust fan for ventilation, and a half bath fits into that definition. So, yes, a half bath requires an exhaust fan because it has a toilet (water closet). The window must be a minimum of three square feet, with one half openable, or the alternative is an artificial light and mechanical ventilation rated at a minimum of 50 cubic feet per minute. In other words, a light fixture and 50 cfm exhaust fan. The air must be exhausted directly to the outside—not into an attic or crawl space as in the photo below.
Also, see our blog post When did the building code begin requiring bathroom vent fans to discharge to the exterior (not the attic or crawl space)?
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
To learn more about heating and air conditioning systems, see these other blog posts:
• How can I find out the SEER of my air conditioner?
• My air conditioner won't turn on. What's wrong?
• How can I find out the size of my air conditioner?
• How can I tell whether the condenser (outdoor unit) is an air conditioner or heat pump?
• Where is the air filter for my central air conditioner and furnace? I can’t find it?
• Does an old air conditioner use more electricity as it ages?
• How did homes stay cool in Florida before air conditioning?
• What is wrong with an air conditioner when the air flow out of the vents is low?
• Why has the thermostat screen gone blank?
• Why does it take so long to cool a house when an air conditioner has been off for a while?
• Why is my air conditioner not cooling enough?
• What are the most common problems with wall/window air conditioners?
• Will closing doors reduce my heating and cooling costs?
Visit our HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.
Click Below
for Links
to Collections
of Blog Posts
by Subject
Top 5 results given instantly.
Click on magnifying glass
for all search results.
Search
This
Site
Buying a home in North/Central Florida? Check our price for a team inspection by two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors. Over 8,500 inspections completed in 20+ years. In a hurry? We will get it done for you.
