Is a fan required by code in a shop bathroom?

[ericm]

This is in Oregon so reasonably current codes. It'll need plumbing and electrical inspections. Also does the fan need to exhaust out the roof or can it go out a wall? They're 14' high walls if that makes a difference.

 

[duneslider]

Code does call for a fan or a window. Basically, there is a ventilation requirement and that has been in the code since like 1950...

Yes, you can vent out the wall. All the bathroom fans on my house are vented out the wall.

 

[isb cornbinder]

No vent required. Rip out a page from the catalogue and wipe away

 

[WisJim]

Venting out the wall rather than roof is easier to weather proof. I've seen many exhaust fans venting out the roof that get plugged by birds or other debris and never get noticed by the owner, and as a roof penetration they are another possible source of a roof leak. Go out the wall!

 

[ericm]

No vent required. Rip out a page from the catalogue and wipe away

I had to dig a new hole for one of those and move it, back when I was working for the forest service. It was 30 miles in the wilderness, no truck to pump it out.

But I think the state DEQ would take a dim view of an outhouse on my farm in Oregon.

 

[The Cobbler]

even if it's not required, I would install one . they do have their benefits

 

[nicks78camaro]

Ask the local code enforcement department that's gonna be inspecting everything. I'd put a fan in either way and vent out the wall.

 

[BrandonV]

Code does call for a fan or a window. Basically, there is a ventilation requirement and that has been in the code since like 1950...

Yes, you can vent out the wall. All the bathroom fans on my house are vented out the wall.

I completely agree. If I were in that situation, I'd definitely vent out the wall or roof. It seems that at some point, the fan requirement might have taken precedence over the venting aspect at least in some areas. Many homes built in the 80s in Phoenix, like a few I've seen, have a fan in the bathroom that doesn't actually vent anywhere but rather just recirculates the air . They came with a deodorizing tablet of some sort that I assume needed to be replaced regularly.

I imagine most people didn't discover this issue until they went to replace the fan years later.

 

[Adaylate]

I believe if the exhaust exits the wall, it has to be a certain distance from a window. Like Nicks said ask your local code official.
Good luck with your project!

 

[Jeff C]

Code does call for a fan or a window. Basically, there is a ventilation requirement and that has been in the code since like 1950...

This… but just to clarify it’s an operable window or an exhaust fan. Seems obvious that a fixed window wouldn’t work but had to mention just in case.

 

[csp]

The fans in my last home were vented into the attic and then out the soffit instead of through the roof.

 

[jayemm]

I had to dig a new hole for one of those and move it, back when I was working for the forest service. It was 30 miles in the wilderness, no truck to pump it out.

But I think the state DEQ would take a dim view of an outhouse on my farm in Oregon.

Can't have manure on farmland?

 

[russ455]

Code does call for a fan or a window. Basically, there is a ventilation requirement and that has been in the code since like 1950...

Yes, you can vent out the wall. All the bathroom fans on my house are vented out the wall.

 

[russ455]

Common courtesy requires a working fan.

 

[JSutter]

The fans in my last home were vented into the attic and then out the soffit instead of through the roof.

Assuming there's a shower/tub in that bath, and it's a vented soffit, that is a bad idea. You don't want that warm moist air pulled back into the building.

 

[reader2580]

This… but just to clarify it’s an operable window or an exhaust fan. Seems obvious that a fixed window wouldn’t work but had to mention just in case.

My parents had an operable window, and no fan, for 40+ years in their master bathroom. I think my parents could count on one hand how many times that window has ever been opened. My father remodeled the bathroom a few years ago, and a fan was installed that exhausts through the roof.

Just because code allows an operable window for bathroom ventilation it doesn't mean the users of the bathroom will actually open the window for ventilation.

 

[racecougar]

The fans in my last home were vented into the attic and then out the soffit instead of through the roof.

That can dump a heck of a lot of moisture into your attic.

 

[duneslider]

My first house had no fans and only have windows that could open, the windows were rarely opened BUT if you did open the window after showering the bathroom/shower dried out significantly faster.

The ventilation requirement isn't for stinky poops, it is for providing air flow to get rid of moisture. I have a fan in my bathroom now and the time the shower takes to dry if the fan is used vs not used is significantly different. A shower that dries out faster has fewer problems with mold and mildew than one that sits damp longer.

My kid's bathroom also has a fan but they rarely turn it on, their shower stays wet longer and tends to grow stuff in the corners...I am looking at putting in a moisture/humidity sensing fan that will auto turn on and off, or just a motion activated switch or something. Drying out these spaces is better for the house, getting rid of unpleasant smell is also nice to have...

 

[matvoz]

I am currently building a shop in Benton County Oregon. Not sure if my codes are the same as yours, but I asked the same question about a fan for the shop. This was their answer:

"Section M1505.5 of the ORSC requires 50 cfm fan in rooms that contain a toilet and no natural ventilation. 80 cfm fan outright in rooms containing a shower or tub. If fan installed, see Table M1504.2 for prescriptive duct sizing and material. A timer will be required if you do install a fan."

 

[Debcrow]

If you do not have a fan what will the poop have to HIT????

 

[48windsor]

Common courtesy requires a working fan.

window and a fan.
depending on weather.
agreed

 

[dchawk81]

If not code, at least common decency.

 

[ericm]

My parents had an operable window, and no fan, for 40+ years in their master bathroom. I think my parents could count on one hand how many times that window has ever been opened.

We have the same in two bathrooms in our California house. The third has an openable skylight. I don't think we have ever opened one of the windows just because someone was on the toilet. Which is why I didn't even think of windows as a valid way to ventilate a toilet room.

In any case there's not a window in the shop where I want to put the toilet room and I wouldn't put one there anyhow as there's a barn blocking the view.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Venting out the wall rather than roof is easier to weather proof. I've seen many exhaust fans venting out the roof that get plugged by birds or other debris and never get noticed by the owner, and as a roof penetration they are another possible source of a roof leak. Go out the wall!

Seems kind of dumb. **** stays in the bathroom, no need to vent it out to the shop and make the whole shop smell lol

 

[WisJim]

Obviously you vent it outside.

Seems kind of dumb. **** stays in the bathroom, no need to vent it out to the shop and make the whole shop smell lol

 

[CraigStu]

I put a fan in the outside wall in a previous house. I found one that was made just for that. Had the weighted flappers on the outside and a nice grill on the inside all set up for a 2x4 wall. Bought a hole saw of the proper size and the install was very easy as those prospects go.

 

[acer66]

I believe if the exhaust exits the wall, it has to be a certain distance from a window. Like Nicks said ask your local code official.
Good luck with your project!

Here it is 3’.

 

[captaindiode]

My kid's bathroom also has a fan but they rarely turn it on, their shower stays wet longer and tends to grow stuff in the corners...I am looking at putting in a moisture/humidity sensing fan that will auto turn on and off, or just a motion activated switch or something. Drying out these spaces is better for the house, getting rid of unpleasant smell is also nice to have...

I have these in my rentals so the tenants have to run the fan. I like them:

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Tamarack-AC-SE1W-SmartExhaust-Bath-Fan-Control

 

[junkyardwarrior]

place I used to work at bought an old farm/feed supply place and made it a tractor dealer. The original building became the shop where I was working out of. Concrete falling in, etc-they had to re-do all that, and they hired the cheapest garbage non english speaking laborers they could find to do it, and did a piss poor job. Building was 100x100. They forgot a few things. An office, and a bathroom. They realized this after we made the move from the original store to the "new" (remodeled) store. If you've ever moved an entire business you know how much work it is. Only time in my life I've been so exhausted that I couldn't get in the truck. Anyway, they forgot to put a bathroom in and a shop office and a place to store special tools. The GM was a sales person so all he knew was "SELL", neglecting the parts and service departments. Totally neglecting. I griped and moaned about not having a bathroom and an office for almost 6 months until one day a customer showed up to drop off a tractor and looked around, saying man your place is big but it's missing a few things. I agreed on that and he went on to say that he was an OSHA inspector. Anyway they hit the business and forced them to put a bathroom in. They didn't want to (supposedly didn't have the money...which was BS) but ended up doing it. Well they forgot ventilation. OSHA came back to inspect again and made em put a fan in and they used the cheapest residential fan that they could get (probably not $20). It was fine by OSHA but if you had to take a dump, might as well just go out back like we had to do before. That or hurry up because you did NOT want to be in that teeny tiny bathroom very long!!

That whole business was like that. They forgot everything. They store the special tools in another building down the street. What a nightmare to find it, all in boxes, no organization, nothing. If you need a power trim cap socket, you had to run down the street, dig through 40 or 50 boxes to find it and hope it was the right one the first time. Would have been easy to buy a $1200 tool box set and put the tools in the drawers but they paid the sales guys so much money that they couldn't afford to help the service guys. Hence, I left.

 

[partsguy5768]

This is in Oregon so reasonably current codes. It'll need plumbing and electrical inspections. Also does the fan need to exhaust out the roof or can it go out a wall? They're 14' high walls if that makes a difference.

Yes... it is required. But personally I don't give a rip about inspections as it is nothing more then a scam. ( they stand behind nothing if it fails) I'm also in southern Oregon and currently building a large shop with 14 foot ceilings also. I got final with nothing but the absolute bare minimum required. ( 2 circuits for example in my 200 amp panel) shop doors going in today, continuing work on wiring and wood stove setting. Next up drywall, paint booth,lifts etc and covered breezeway on outside three walls. Get your final and then go to work. Do what you want. Do it correctly and all good...

 

[ericm]

Yes... it is required. But personally I don't give a rip about inspections as it is nothing more then a scam. ( they stand behind nothing if it fails) I'm also in southern Oregon and currently building a large shop with 14 foot ceilings also. I got final with nothing but the absolute bare minimum required. ( 2 circuits for example in my 200 amp panel) shop doors going in today, continuing work on wiring and wood stove setting. Next up drywall, paint booth,lifts etc and covered breezeway on outside three walls. Get your final and then go to work. Do what you want. Do it correctly and all good...

Your shop(s) look very well done as does your Ranchero,

I'm on ag land so I don't even have a final inspection, just electrical and plumbing inspections. So I'm probably worrying over nothing.

 

[Stelzer]

The fans in my last home were vented into the attic and then out the soffit instead of through the roof.

I've removed lots of mold in lots of attics because of this very reason.

 

[Sumboodie]

I don't have a fan and it's very recommended.
No code inspection and the builder was tighter than 2 coats of paint, $80 for a fart fan? Hell no.


Go back in an hour later and have to wonder if the turd is still there

Window... yeah, im not opening windows while pooping when it's -20*

 

[partsguy5768]

Your shop(s) look very well done as does your Ranchero,

I'm on ag land so I don't even have a final inspection, just electrical and plumbing inspections. So I'm probably worrying over nothing.

Thanks. I wouldn't worry about anything. Just do it right and nice and move on. I am a local businessman that has done lots of building and other things ( continue to so) and the whole permit thing has gone off the rails . The cost is ridiculous and getting worse all the time. What does a permit ultimately get you? Absolute nothing as they stand behind nothing. What area in southern oregon?

 

[acer66]

I work in a house for a while now where several generations of people worked on who are most likely the reason for codes.

Its almost like they deliberately did almost everything against common building science.

Anyway I would still build everything in a
way that it satisfies the building code or even better since a lot of times the building code is a pretty low bar inspection or not.

 

[partsguy5768]

I work in a house for a while now where several generations of people worked on who are most likely the reason for codes.

Its almost like they deliberately did almost everything against common building science.

Anyway I would still build everything in a
way that it satisfies the building code or even better since a lot of times the building code is a pretty low bar inspection or not.

I believe in pride of workmanship, but I get what you are saying. The issue at least here in oregon ( a very blue state) is common sense is gone and so much silly stuff is being done in the name of saaaaaaftey driving the costs up tremendously. You pay for ones permit ( really a permission slip ) and then the " professional comes out and gives their ok and all is good untill something goes wrong. They then magically have absolutely no liability. So ultimately what good are they? Here is a example. Approved by the professionals... take care https://www.oregonlive.com/clackama...ter-mistakenly-approving-plans-suit-says.html

 

[ericm]

Thanks. I wouldn't worry about anything. Just do it right and nice and move on. I am a local businessman that has done lots of building and other things ( continue to so) and the whole permit thing has gone off the rails . The cost is ridiculous and getting worse all the time. What does a permit ultimately get you? Absolute nothing as they stand behind nothing. What area in southern oregon?

I'll PM ya.

So far I don't find the permits and zoning there to be much of a burden and all the planning people I have talked to have been super responsive. But I'm coming from a county in California whose planning dept became severely disfunctional. The full story is in my build thread (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/i-bought-the-farm.536525/) but the short version is that it took four years to get a permit for a shop on acreage in a rural area.

 

[acer66]

I believe in pride of workmanship, but I get what you are saying. The issue at least here in oregon ( a very blue state) is common sense is gone and so much silly stuff is being done in the name of saaaaaaftey driving the costs up tremendously. You pay for ones permit ( really a permission slip ) and then the " professional comes out and gives their ok and all is good untill something goes wrong. They then magically have absolutely no liability. So ultimately what good are they? Here is a example. Approved by the professionals... take care https://www.oregonlive.com/clackama...ter-mistakenly-approving-plans-suit-says.html

That ***** and unfortunately that is the same in a different colored states.
Don’t ask me how I know.
I should have known better.

 

[Wrench97]

That can dump a heck of a lot of moisture into your attic.

If they are like mine they are piped to the soffit outlet.

 

[CraigStu]

If they are like mine they are piped to the soffit outlet.

The problem is that the soffit is an inlet meant to flow air in and up out through the ridge vent.