srs
Veteran Member
Some counties now require a dam to keep liquids and volatile gases from going down the stairs into the basement along with a metal door with special seals at the basement level. If this is required in Nelson county, then the area between the top of the stairwell and the Genset wall will have to be poured another step height, 6"+ higher than the garage floor.
Steps, stoops and other tripping hazards are not a friend to us as we age.
Ron
Ron, I know what you mean about having a step before going into the basement. I told my builder (this is my second house with him) that I did not want a step before I go downstairs. He said code required it, like you said to keep gases, oils, etc. from going to the basement. If I recall correctly the block layer installed a cinder block "step" with an extremely thin layer of sandmix or sort to allow it to pass inspection. Once I got the occupancy go-ahead the step came out. It makes no sense to me that you would be in the garage, step up, then step down to go into the basement. Talk about a tripping hazard. Also the double door in the basement is an exterior door with very good seals all the way around. And when I start the car the overhead door is always open to keep fumes to a minimum.
The distance from my man door to the basement first step is around 11 feet so I have a very safe distance.