Requirement for heat in a restroom 1

[mjr6550]

I am a structural engineer and am trying to help out someone with church alterations. They are dividing one restroom into two. The building code official says they need a heat source in each restroom. The one has a heating source and is on a exterior wall. I am told that the other has not exterior exposure on all six sides. Is a heating source typically required per the IMC. Here is what I believe is the relavent code: "1204.1 Equipment and systems. Interior spaces intended for
human occupancy shall be provided with active or passive
space-heating systems capable of maintaining a minimum
indoor temperature of 68°F (20°C) at a point 3 feet (914 mm)
above the floor on the design heating day.
Exception: Interior spaces where the primary purpose is
not associated with human comfort."

Can I assume that passive heating is the heat transfer from the surrounding areas?

 

[lilliput1]

If there is a roof or unheated attic above, the lights and exhaust fan are turned off at night and the door to the rest room is closed, you need to put in heat.

 

[cdxx139]

Where is the church located?

knowledge is power

 

[willard3]

You will have to do a heat gain/loss to know the answer. If you are not conversant here, hire someone who is.

 

[trashcanman]

Just install a small 1 kw, 120V electric wall heater, surface mounted. Available at your friendly neighborhood Home Depot for probably no more than $100.00. This will easily provide freeze protection and probably keep the bathroom warm. End of problem.

 

[mjr6550]

Located in Philadelphia suburbs. I have not seen the building, but was told it is surrounded by other portions of the building. From the conversation I assumed these were heated rooms. Is so, then a heat loss calculation would be zero.

 

[cdxx139]

I second trashcanman, easy way out and no worries.

knowledge is power

 

[chicopee]

I would be more concerned about an exhaust system than a heating system. On the other hand you could keep the bathroom as is and designate it as an all gender bathroom