Room over a garage

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Sussex
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Hi,

I need to check up on something that is niggling in the back of my mind.
We've had a room built over what remains of our garage space - so now the garage becomes integral to the house. We've had proper building work/ building regs done... builders to build. All has gone pretty well.

An observation; we had a small fuel spillage in the garage space. The fumes and smell came up into new the room over and started invading the remainder of the house.

The question : I thought there might be something in the building regs to that says we have to prevent those fume problems occurring ? anything to that or am I just dreaming ?

Thanks
 
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There are regs to do with the fire resistance of the garage ceiling when there is a habitable room above but not sure what they are exactly but must be in the building regs.

Check that the garage ceiling is properly sealed around the edges to stop fumes, and more importantly spread of fire, getting into the house. Also any openings for drains, etc and any boxed in areas where drains and cable run.


I remember my dad removing some boxing in to get to a waste pipe that had blocked and then suffered exhaust fumes into the house every time he started up his car.
 
Has the work been done in accordance with Building Regulations? Did you make a building Regs submission? Has the work been inspected by a BCO? Do you have a compliant completion certificate?
 
I don't "think" there is anything in the Building Reg's in regards to fumes within the air arising from a garage. The only thing similar (to do with fuel spillages, etc...) is the difference in level that is to be maintained between the garage and house floor, if an interlinking door is provided between the two.
 
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Has the work been done in accordance with Building Regulations? Did you make a building Regs submission? Has the work been inspected by a BCO? Do you have a compliant completion certificate?
Thanks for the reply. WE have had inspections along the way. We haven't had a final inspection yet. I was hoping to get some other opinions as to whether I "go out of my way" to be here and discuss it with the inspector on my final inspection. I have brought it up with the builder who has not enthusiastically received it - the cynical part of me says "he wouldn't would he, he'd have to spend money fixing it if there were a problem".

Specifically to your questions
1. I'm not sure... that's why I'm asking questions here :D
2. Yes there was a building regs submission s that was worked upon, improved before it was passed
3. Inspected as it went along but no final inspection yet. I personally haven't seen or talked to the guy although I know he has been present as he granted us a stay or execution on our original staircase (rather than have to have a whole new one).
4. Not yet :D

regards,
 
There are regs to do with the fire resistance of the garage ceiling when there is a habitable room above but not sure what they are exactly but must be in the building regs.

Check that the garage ceiling is properly sealed around the edges to stop fumes, and more importantly spread of fire, getting into the house. Also any openings for drains, etc and any boxed in areas where drains and cable run.


I remember my dad removing some boxing in to get to a waste pipe that had blocked and then suffered exhaust fumes into the house every time he started up his car.

Thanks for that. We do have 30 minute ceilings fitted that was evident as the pink plasterboard went in. Sealing around pipes and wires... that's the one . There are definitely problems here. Should I have expected the builder to have dompleted on that as part of the job ? (I'd have thought so myself).
Regards
 
Well at least your doing everything right so far; I’m not familiar with any specific regulations regarding sealing against fumes although I would have though it would be covered somewhere in the BR’s; not so much for the smell of petrol but carbon monoxide which could prove fatal & fire/smoke will find i'ts way through the smallest of gaps! My previous property was fairly new & that had an integral garage, I would frequently run my classic car in there (with the doors open) & regularly work with petrol & cellulose paint but there was never a hint of any smell in my daughter’s bedroom above.

Some builder’s can get a little disinterested as, sometimes, customers can be extremely pushy & fussy to the Nth degree. I would not, however, put your concerns into this category & if he’s not showing much interest about your concerns, I would certainly have a word with your BCO; you are after all paying a healthy fee to ensure the building works is done in compliance with regulations. You could also do a little digging around the Building Regulations Approved Documents;
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/en...gs/technicalguidance/bcapproveddocumentslist/

I did have a quick look but it’s not immediately obvious which Document may cover it apart from fire so it might take a little digging around or you could even try some very specific Googles to see if that throws anything up.
 
This link may be of some use...

http://greenhomeguide.com/askapro/q...lluting-our-house-through-the-attached-garage

I also found this on the web...

Closed cell spray foam will effectively create an air barrier and high value of insulation .... also it will seal the garage from fumes infiltrating the living spaces above.

There is also mention of a Firecode Sheetrock board that is recommended for both fire and fume protection. It appears this is an American type board and so I'm pretty sure British Gypsum can offer an equivalent.
 
I got in touch with the BCO; he said that apart form the 30 min ceiling there is no requirement to make the garage air tight. So to make it air-tight or fume proof would be between me and my builder or DIY.

Thanks for all your time and information.

David61
 

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