California IDEX Practice Exam

When planning a small bathroom under an attic ceiling, what condition must be met regarding the position of the bathroom relative to the sloped ceiling?

1. The entire bathroom area must be under the flat ceiling.

2. At least 20 s.f. of the bathroom must be under the flat ceiling.

3. The 40 s.f. must be positioned such that no portion of the ceiling is lower than 6'-6".

4. The plan is not feasible because the minimum ceiling height is 7'-6".

The correct answer is: At least 20 s.f. of the bathroom must be under the flat ceiling.

When planning a small bathroom under an attic ceiling, it is important to ensure that a portion of the bathroom has adequate headroom. The requirement that at least 20 square feet of the bathroom must be under the flat ceiling addresses the need for usable space where the headroom is sufficient for regular activities. This stipulation helps to provide a functional layout that allows occupants to stand and move around comfortably. Options suggesting that the entire bathroom should be under the flat ceiling or that a minimum height of 7'-6" is required do not align with standard building codes in most areas, which often accommodate sloped ceilings in certain areas of a space. The requirement regarding ceiling height also implies that while adequate height is necessary for portions of the bathroom, it is not mandatory for the entire area. Thus, maintaining at least 20 square feet of space under the flat ceiling ensures usability without restricting the design options for smaller or uniquely shaped bathrooms.