1st floor hallway regs help

[mordzy]

Hello. I’m in the midst of finishing off my self build but stumbled across an issue while talking to the staircase contractor.

the hallway that adjoins the landing to a bedroom isn’t wide enough I don’t think. It measures 880mm I’m not sure if it should be 900 or 1200.

1200 would cause me a real issue as I’d have to encroach into the stairwell opening a fair bit reducing the width of the steps.

I thought about moving the entire bedroom wall (most expensive) or perhaps just the door but would mean the hall is redundant.

I could make the door frame wider to allow for a the 900 hall way and bolt on a additional joist below the floor with a ‘strip’ of chipboard on the top.

I presume a oversight from the builder while making stud walls has caused this.

Would someone be able to clarify what the hallway width should be? Help with, or suggesting a solution would also be appreciated.

I’ll try include a pic/sketch. At present the forum won’t allow me to upload off my phone.

thanks in advance

 

[Nakajo]

What's the problem exactly? Wide enough for what?

 

[mordzy]

Hi. Sorry. The problem is that I don’t think it meets with the regs. So wouldn’t pass building control/inspector sigh off

 

[Nakajo]

Which regulation?

 

[mordzy]

Only from my own research online which I know is not gospel so thought I’d ask the experts here.

the resource I found is here

http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/pages/6-internal-doorways-and-hallways.html

which states

“
Doorway widths within dwellings
Head on approach to door within dwelling

The minimum clear opening width of any doorway within a dwelling, when the approach to the door is ‘head on’, is 750mm.

Turning to pass through a door within dwelling

When the approach to a doorway is not head on, and a turn is required to pass through the doorway, the minimum clear opening for that doorway will relate to the width of the approach (typically a hallway or landing), and should be in accordance with the table below:”

Table on the link above. Table says I need a 1200 wide hallway to pass through a standard 750 wide door.

 

[JohnD]

I notice your document uses the word "should" and not the word "must."

This is usually a clue that tells you it is talking about advice or best practice rather than regulation.

But I don't know the answer.

 

[mordzy]

Thanks. Yes, most of the documents say should. My assumption is that this is documented for a reason as such that it must be observed in new builds and compromises made in such a case of an old building. However I want to make sure I’m doing it right do avoid costly changes down the road.

 

[DevilDamo]

Do you have a Planning condition or any other condition that requires you to meet the Lifetime Homes standards?

 

[mordzy]

Not that I’m aware of. It’s not something I’ve heard mentioned or recall. I’ve just used that site as a reference assuming it was a standard reg

 

[^woody^]

You need to stop worrying

 

[mordzy]

Haha. So is there not a minimum width then woody?

 

[Nakajo]

Are you building a lifetime home?

 

[mordzy]

Are you building a lifetime home?

Nope

but I’ve checked building regs on the government website

https://assets.publishing.service.g...BR_PDF_AD_M1_2015_with_2016_amendments_V3.pdf

which states the same. Section 1b page 7

 

[big-all]

2ft 6" door plus 2x 70mm arcatraves set back say 9mm [160mm] so 765+160+4mm so 930mm give or take 100mm now if you have a right angle best to plus 100mm to allow clearance for furniture but not a requirement so 880 tight 1000mm better

 

[mordzy]

2ft 6" door plus 2x 70mm arcatraves set back say 9mm [160mm] so 765+160+4mm so 930mm give or take 100mm now if you have a right angle best to plus 100mm to allow clearance for furniture but not a requirement so 880 tight 1000mm better

To confirm. It’s not a requirement but best practice to be wider than currently is ?