SAMPLE GUIDE FOR FINISHED BASEMENT REQUIREMENTS IN

ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS

EFFECTIVE Jan 4, 2010 there will be a Zoning Permit Fee of $50.00 payable to “Bernards Township” due upon submittal of any Construction Permit Application that requires Zoning Review. This fee is applicable to all basements that will include a bathroom, kitchen/kitchenette or bedroom.

1. Complete the following forms and technical sections as applicable

(a) Construction permit application folder.

(b) Building Subcode technical section. (include estimated cost of building work)

(d) Plumbing Subcode technical section. (See note below. *)

(e) Fire Subcode technical section. (See section 9 also.)

*NOTE: If anyone other than the homeowner performed Electrical or Plumbing work, the applicable technical section MUST BE SEALED by the contractor who is performing the work.

2. Submit 2 copies of scaled drawings. All drawings should indicate owner’s name, address of job site, block and lot number. To draw your own plans, you must be the owner and occupant of said property. If not, you will need drawings by a New Jersey Registered Architect. The homeowner’s signature must be on the plans that they prepare.

3. The drawings submitted shall include the following information:

(a) Show entire basement floor plan, indicating partitions, doors, windows, stairways, guardrails, handrails, closets, columns, electric layout, heating layout, furnace, hot water heater, chimney, floor covering, smoke detectors, plumbing and or gas riser diagram if applicable.

(b) Show wall cross section, indicating stud sizes, stud spacing, fire stopping, optional insulation, wall covering materials, ceiling material, ceiling height, height to girders, and height to heat ducts, if applicable. (See sample)

4. When constructing walls, if using wood, any wood in contact with concrete must be treated. Unless separated by an impervious moisture barrier.

5. A room in the basement may not be used as a bedroom unless the room has a means of egress, an approved door, directly to the outside, or a means of egress window.

6. Guards: Any newly created walking surfaces and open sides of stairs more than 30” above grade shall have guards not less than 34” measured vertically from the stair nosing and not less than 36” above a walking surface. Balusters or spindles shall be constructed so a 4” sphere cannot pass. (Exception: The triangular opening at the bottom rail of a guard and stair shall not allow the passage of a 6” sphere. Guards shall be constructed to withstand a 200 pound load in any direction along the top rail.

7. Handrails: All newly created stairways with four or more risers require continuous handrails. Handrails shall not be less than 30” or greater than 38” measured vertically from the stair nosing. Handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs. Handrails shall be returned or shall terminate to a wall or post. Grip sizes shall have a cross section of 1 ¼” min. to 2 5/8” max. Other shapes that provide equivalent grasping surface are permissible.

8. Combustion air is required to keep your furnace and hot water heater burning properly. Consult the manufacturer’s instruction manual. The minimum combustion air which must be provided is based on the Combustion Air Calculation Sheet

To assist you in planning and providing enough combustion air we are providing you with a Combustion Air Calculation sheet. Complete this form and submit it along with your plans. If you have any questions regarding these calculations contact Dennis Bettler, Fire Subcode Official at 908-204-3030.

9. Clearance to combustibles must be maintained for the equipment and the venting. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions or provide a minimum of 2” clearance to all vents.

10. Every space intended for human occupancy shall be ventilated by natural or mechanical means.

Natural Ventilation: The minimum open area to the outdoors shall be 4 percent of the floor area being ventilated. If natural ventilation cannot be accomplished, mechanical ventilation shall be provided or a combination of both natural and mechanical ventilation can be used.

11. Interior finish to be not less than class III material which has a maximum flame spread between 76 - 200 and smoke-developed rating not greater than 450. Check packaging of material to be used for specifications. For paneling the label is on the back. Finished materials less than ¼” must be installed directly against a non-combustible backing.

12. Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors must be installed in accordance with the Rehabilitation Subcode.

13. Required inspections: Call (908) 204-3172 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to schedule inspections.

CALL ONLY WHEN YOU ARE READY FOR INSPECTION.

(a) Rough electric

(b) Rough plumbing (if applicable)

(d) Framing, rough mechanical i.e.: Exhaust fans

(e) Insulation (if applicable)

(f) Final electric

(g) Final plumbing (if applicable)

(h) Final fire protection

(i) Final building

If you have any questions about these or any other requirements please call

Dennis Bettler, Construction Official @ 908-204-3030 or e-mail dbettler@bernards.org

COMBUSTION AIR CALCULATION-Gas & Oil Fired Appliances

Date: ________________ Name: ____________________________________

Address: _____________________________________ Phone #: _____________________

______________________________________ Block________ Lot ______________

Combustion air or make up air is needed by all fuel burning appliances in order to ensure a clean burning flame and to replace the air that passes out through the chimney. Failure to provide adequate combustion air will result in inefficient combustion, raise fuel usage and possibly lead to excessive carbon monoxide production. Performing the following calculations will help to arrive at total volume of air, series of vents or full louvered doors that will be sized in accordance with the International Fuel Gas Code & International Mechanical Code 2003 and provide for safe operation of your appliance.

1. Total firing rate of all appliances located in the space: BTU Input (found on appliance label)

Furnaces, Water Heaters, Gas Clothes Dryer, Range, Oven, Gas Fireplace etc.

____________ + _____________ + _____________ + ______________ = ________________ Total BTU

2. ______________ Total BTU -:- 1000 x 50 = ____________________

Total BTU (#1) Required cubic footage

3. Available air from adjacent rooms (Cannot be from a Garage or Bathroom). Open to enough rooms so the total cubic feet equals or exceeds # 2 above.

Indicate room volume starting with room appliances are located in. Indicate all room sizes as they are to be finished.

Room Length Width Height

___________ __ ___________ X ____________ X __________ = ______________cu ft.

Total Cubic Feet = ______________

4. Required unobstructed opening size:

____________-:- 1000 = ____________ square inches (minimum of 100 sq. in. required)

BTU input (#1) Required opening size (#5)

5. Unobstructed openings = Vents/Louvered Doors

Length x Width Coefficient = Unobstructed Openings

_______ x __________ : 1.25 = _________________ Metal

_______ x __________ : 1.75 = _________________ Wood

Total (#4)

NOTE: Two openings (high & low) are required of size indicated in #5 above in each room in #3 above so as to connect enough rooms to provide available air to equal the total in #2 above. Care must be taken when locating vents so as not to obstruct them with furniture, storage, etc. If you have any questions please call Dennis Bettler at 908-204-3030.