Basement Remodeling

Applicable Codes:
2024 International Residential Code
2023 National Electrical Code
2021 Illinois Energy Conservation Code
2014 Illinois Plumbing Code

Please submit the following information:

1. Architectural plans that include:
   1. Floor Plan, including electrical layout and location of escape window.
   2. Cross-section wall detail
   3. Plumbing plan, concrete cross section, and riser diagram IF adding new plumbing fixtures, including the addition of overhead sewers.
2. Combustion Air Calculation Worksheet
3. Water Service Line Sizing Form (only if adding additional plumbing fixtures to the residence)

Significant Codes - Building

Smoke Alarms

The 2024 International Residential Code requires that all smoke alarms shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 217.

Smoke alarms are required to be installed in the following locations:

• Within each sleeping area.
• In the hallway directly adjacent to sleeping areas.
• On each additional story of the dwelling unit, including basements and habitable attics, and not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics.
• Not less than 3 feet (914 mm) horizontally from the door or opening of a bathroom that contains a bathtub or shower unless this would prevent placement of a smoke alarm required by this section.
• In the hallway and in the room open to the hallway in dwelling units where the ceiling height of a room open to a hallway serving bedrooms exceeds that of the hallway by 24 inches (610 mm) or more.
• Within the room to which a sleeping loft is open, in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping loft.

Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit, the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual dwelling unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed, and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm.

Egress Windows
Basements with habitable space are required to have a least one emergency egress window. Each sleeping area within a basement also must have a minimum of one egress window located within the room. When a sleeping room with the required egress window is present in a finished basement, that window is adequate to serve the remaining adjoining non-sleeping room areas of the basement.

The egress window must meet the following specifications:

• Minimum 5.7 square feet clear opening with the normal operation of the window
• Minimum clear opening height of 24”
• Minimum clear opening width of 20”
• Maximum sill height of 44” above the finished floor
• No special knowledge, hardware, or equipment is required to operate the window.
• If there is not an egress window that adheres to these minimum standards present, then one must be installed. (2024 IRC R310.6; Wheaton Ordinance).

Overhead Sewer
If a residence does not currently have overhead sanitary service, then an overhead sewer system shall be constructed when there is an addition to, or remodeling/alteration, of the lowest level (basement) of the residence. In most cases, this can be accomplished by installing an ejector pit. Please indicate whether the existing sanitary pit or the proposed location for the new sanitary pit along with a plumbing plan diagram indicating the new overhead service and any other plumbing fixtures that are going to be added to the residence. If the residence has a history of sewer backups that is documented with the City of Wheaton Public Works Department, the residence may be eligible for the sewer reimbursement program. Please contact Public Works at 630-260-2110 with any questions on the requirements for this program. (Ordinance O-2020-05, Section 22-7, Wheaton City Code).

Combustion Air
The 2024 International Residential Code requires that anytime gas-fired mechanical equipment is placed in a confined space or within a structure deemed of “unusually tight construction, makeup combustion air that is obtained exclusively from the exterior of the structure must be provided to allow for the proper operation of the mechanical equipment. Please refer to the document titled Combustion Air Calculation Worksheet in order to determine the required size of each of the supply vents (one opening must be within 12” of the ceiling, the other within 12” of the bottom of the enclosure) that must be installed. (2024 IRC G2407 - Combustion, Ventilation, and Dilution Air).

Insulation Requirements
The 2024 International Energy Efficiency Code states that all walls separating finished and unfinished space and exterior perimeter walls are required to be insulated. A minimum of R-19 insulation is required in all basement walls that surround the finished area. Exposed insulation must have a flame-spread index not to exceed 25 and an accompanying smoke-developed index not to exceed 450. The vapor barrier is to be installed on the warm side of the perimeter wall. (2024 IECC R402.1.3).

Inspections

The inspections listed here are required for all Residential Remodeling projects. Adjustments to the required inspections may be needed based upon the scope of work for your project. A complete list of your required inspections will be listed on the Plan Approval Notice that will be attached to the approved plans.

To schedule an inspection, please call 630-260-2050 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Inspections must be scheduled no later than 3:30 PM the day before the desired inspection date.