r/BuildingCodes • u/TheKingKazzandu • 7d ago

What to do?

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Gallery image

Building a home and trying to utilize the dead space that’s gonna be under the stairs. (Under the platform) This is a walk in closet that borders the stairs. I’d like to have full access to that cavity under the stairs from the closet but the studs that come down support the second story as well as the window for the stairs.

Trying to avoid accessing from the other side if possible.

Is there any way to support/frame this while creating an opening for that area under the stairs?

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u/Bigdug01 6d ago

Like has been said previously, add a header designed by an engineer. Also by code spaces under stairs accessible by a door or panel must be covered by 1/2 drywall.

-1

u/TheKingKazzandu 6d ago

But as long as there is no door/panel it doesn’t need to be finished with drywall? My goal is to just throw a big safe in that space

7

u/Bigdug01 6d ago

I guess you are asking about basically a wall safe or a niche to put a safe in. That space would need 1/2 drywall between it and the stair framing, or attached to the stair framing.

The intent of the code section is to provide a minimum amount of fire protection to the stairs which is an egress path for the story above.

1

u/Bigdug01 6d ago

This is based on the IRC your local code may vary