by Jerry Peck - Codeman on Thu Feb 05, 2015 8:27 pm
Brian,
It appears that my first question should have been: What type of bathroom are you asking about? One- and two-family dwelling and townhouse? Apartment and condo?
Makes a difference as to which code go to ... but not really a difference in the use of regular drywall or green board.
The reference you are referring to would be applicable to apartment/condo/hotel/motel buildings - not to single-family homes. Thus the exceptions do not apply to single-family homes ... the exceptions are not needed because there is no requirement for same for single-family homes.
- From the 2010 FBC-Building: (bold and underlining are mine)
- - 1210.2 Walls and partitions.
- - - Walls and partitions within 2 feet (610 mm) of urinals and water closets shall have a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface, to a height of 4 feet (1219 mm) above the floor, and except for structural elements, the materials used in such walls shall be of a type that is not adversely affected by moisture.
- - - - Exceptions:
- - - - - 1. Dwelling units and sleeping units.
- - - - - 2. Toilet rooms that are not accessible to the public and which have not more than one water closet.
- - - Accessories such as grab bars, towel bars, paper dispensers and soap dishes, provided on or within walls, shall be installed and sealed to protect structural elements from moisture. For walls and partitions also see Section 2903.
A "dwelling unit" is not the same thing as a "dwelling".
- From the 2010 FBC-Building definitions
- - DWELLING. A building that contains one or two dwelling units used, intended or designed to be used, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied for living purposes. (Jerry's note: Think of a "dwelling" as being a one- or two-family home or townhouse.)
- - DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. (Jerry's note: Think of a "dwelling unit" as being an apartment or condo.)
- - SLEEPING UNIT. A room or space in which people sleep, which can also include permanent provisions for living, eating, and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not both. Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units. (Jerry's note: Think of a "sleeping unit" as being a typical motel or hotel room.)
The FBC-Building requires moisture resistant drywall in areas that the FBC-Residential does not ... then exempts out the same basic area as not being required where not required in the Residential code.
- From the 2010 FBC-Residential:
- - R307.2 Bathtub and shower spaces.
- - - Bathtub and shower floors and walls above bathtubs with installed shower heads and in shower compartments shall be finished with a nonabsorbent surface. Such wall surfaces shall extend to a height of not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the floor.
Jerry Peck - CodeMan
AskCodeMan.com
Construction Litigation Consultant - Retired
Construction and Code Consultant - Semi Retired