Bathroom Non-Venting

Definitely was not one of these. Flipped each switch and heard no sound.

No, but you can perform code inspections to cover the builders ass and I’ll perform Home Inspections and look out for the buyers.

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And it sounds like your calling this out without any significant observable adverse condition, other than someone could take a dump while someone is in the shower and shut a door?

Everyone on the internet has an opinion. Does your licensing board require you to report Internet opinions?

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The bathroom looks like a fairly recent construction therefore the exhaust fan is required in shower area.
If you dont want to use word “required” or quote the code section, you can say “recommended”. Its about moisture control.

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The OP was looking for a source to support his position and I posted one. You should direct your grievance to the OP.

Professional trade organizations such as the one I posted have a significant influence on changes to the IRC.

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The code says vent or window and does not specify location. I think you are ok with this. Its like the co device .one on each floor there is a bedroom but does not specify where exactly…to go any deeper is beyong the scope of the inspection.

Where is it in the code?

R303.3 Bathrooms. Bathrooms, water closet compartments
and other similar rooms shall be provided with aggregate glazing
area in windows of not less than 3 square feet (0.3 m2), onehalf
of which shall be openable.
Exception: The glazed areas shall not be required where
artificial light and a local exhaust system are provided.
The minimum local exhaust rates shall be determined in
accordance with Section M1505. Exhaust air from the
space shall be exhausted directly to the outdoors.

M1505.2 Recirculation of air. Exhaust air from bathrooms
and toilet rooms shall not be recirculated within a residence
or circulated to another dwelling unit and shall be exhausted
directly to the outdoors. Exhaust air from bathrooms, toilet
rooms and kitchens shall not discharge into an attic, crawl
space or other areas inside the building. This section shall not
prohibit the installation of ductless range hoods in accordance
with the exception to Section M1503.3.

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Shall we attempt to interpret code?

R303.3 Bathrooms. Bathrooms, water closet compartments
and other similar rooms shall be provided with aggregate glazing

Bathrooms - a place to bathe
Water closet - a place to pee
Other similar rooms - other places you might bathe or pee?

You guys should start reading those codes right.

Bathroom exhaust fans are required by codes

Capture

TABLE 403.3.1.1
MINIMUM VENTILATION RATES


You have been advised, in a previous thread about this, that the section of code you’re referring to is a “table”, not a requirement!, that lists rates to be used “when required”. I don’t mean to be rude, but you either pretend to or have some sort of comprehension issue with the way you’re reading the code.

Let me give you an analogy one last time:

IF it rains, you will need to use an umbrella not to get wet. The umbrella should be at least 5 feet in diameter.

In the statement above, even though the umbrella should be 5 feet in diameter, you do not need it unless there is going to be rain! That’s exactly how the code for the bathroom exhaust is written. It gives you the rates for the fan when the bathroom is to have the fan. The bathroom is to have a fan when an approved operable window is not installed.

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Or, put another way, bathroom fans are not required when an operable window that meets the minimum sizing is installed.

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Can’t make it any clearer than that, I think, anyways.

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Thank you sir for helping me with this, again. I value your expertise.
However, the code section you are reading is not describing a required mechanical exhaust requirement. Section R303 is describing a general Light, Ventilation and Heating for all areas of the house that include subsection R303.3 Bathrooms. Bathrooms must have 3 sf of windows and half of them must be openable, that’s pretty much the same as a living room or dining room or any other bedroom. Right? Bathrooms have an exception to this requirement if they have a mechanical exhaust fan installed, meaning that you can have a window but you don’t have to. The exception is applicable to the window requirement, only. Then if you really want to know about exhaust systems you flip pages to Chapter 15 - Exhaust Systems because says this:


and then you see table M1505.4.4. Please note, that table does not have any exceptions because you have a window in the bathroom, nor you could find any such exception in the code.
I hope that this time I was able to at least give you a different perspective on the subject and maybe understand my point and how I look at the bathroom ventilation.

Lastly, let’s assume for a minute that you are correct about the windows meeting the ventilation requirements, and that ‘the exhaust fans are just for idiots who don’t know shit’, please scroll up to OP and point out the window that is openable in that bathroom. I may be wrong and there could be another wall with windows but these two are not operable.

Windows are not the exception, exhaust fans ARE. For bathrooms M1505 is referenced ONLY with the exception (the required operable windows are not present).

You cannot assemble anything starting at the LAST instruction (backwards). Nor can you pick and choose which instructions you will follow. If you read ass backwards you will get backwards results.

Now’s the point where you tell me how long you’ve been doing your job wrong and how much more experienced you are than the rest of us. See if I’m impressed. Wrong is wrong!

Well, this is not my problem it seems to be your problem. You think you know everything because you’ve done it for long time. Remember, it’s never too late to learn new stuff.

Let’s move on.

As has been said by many that know what they’re talking about; if a bathroom has an openable window it does not need additional mechanical ventilation. It’s as simple as that.

Though you will rarely see an openable window in new construction, they are all fixed, so mechanical ventilation is installed.

ALSO, there is no specific requirement for a shower/tub area to have additional mechanical ventilation.

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You’re entitled to be as wrong as you want to be. You shouldn’t reference code if you can’t read it.

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I’m having good time here. Any more CMIs that want to discredit themselves? :smiley:

  • Bathrooms require natural ventilation OR mechanical ventilation per Section R303.3.
  • When natural ventilation is used, a window that is not less than 3 square feet where at least one-half of the window area is openable must be provided.
  • When mechanical ventilation is used, an exhaust fan having a minimum exhaust rate of 50 cfm intermittent or 20 cfm continuous must be provided.
  • The bathroom exhaust fan must be vented directly to the outside
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