Purlin support

[Hpd]

Hi I’m wanting to remove a small stud wall in the loft to put a handrail with spindles instead. I’ve removed some plasterboard and found how the purlin is being supported. Is there any way to support it differently so I could remove the highlighted timber? (Yellow line drawn in the photo) It’s in the way of where I wanted to have the new handrail.

 

[Hpd]

any ideas?

 

[bobsuerita]

it can be done but you will be losing your fire protection

 

[Hpd]

it can be done but you will be losing your fire protection

The room will only be used as an office and not for a bedroom. I doubt it meets any regs as it is, there’s not enough head room on the stairs leading up there etc etc. How would I go about supporting the purlin differently? Thanks

 

[catlad]

I should re think were you are going to put your hand rail as that sounds a lot easier.

 

[^woody^]

it can be done but you will be losing your fire protection

And his home insurance cover

 

[Hpd]

So could you all elaborate a bit?

1) yes it can be done.. okay how?

2) re-think where the handrail goes but with no suggestions? It’s really not much of a space to come up with many options

3) home insurance? Can you tell me more?

 

[Hpd]

Any help on this would be awesome

 

[^woody^]

That strut is transferring load from the purlin so should not be removed. Sand it and include it in an alternative design.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

You need a structural engineer. All that propping is (I suspect) to compensate for the purlin having been cut short instead of running all the way to the end wall. The purlin is being supported- happy days- but what is supporting the 2 or 3 rafters above the stairs?

 

[Keithmac]

You need a structural engineer. All that propping is (I suspect) to compensate for the purlin having been cut short instead of running all the way to the end wall. The purlin is being supported- happy days- but what is supporting the 2 or 3 rafters above the stairs?

Bloddy hell!, that is the end of the purlin as you say. Looks loke it has been cut short after the house was built/ loft converted?.

 

[Hpd]

yeah you're correct its been cut, i did wonder about those rafters above the stairs, presumably they were doubled up to give them enough strength? Its a loft conversion that was done about 12 years ago by the previous owner.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

yeah you're correct its been cut, i did wonder about those rafters above the stairs, presumably they were doubled up to give them enough strength? Its a loft conversion that was done about 12 years ago by the previous owner.

You can assume what you like but when reality bites you'll be sorry you didn't have a look. From the way that purlin is supported I'd be amazed if building control were involved, did you get any completion certs when you bought the place? If not then get a structural engineer in and be prepared to drop the ceiling above that staircase to see what is holding the roof up.
How's the fire separation on that staircase anyway? Any means of escape from the loft room if the main staircase is unavailable? Sorry to rain on your parade but you may have a few more urgent items to address than modifying a handrail.