loft boarded out with electric and spiral staircase.

meoldmukka · 31 Jul 2009

Hello DIY ER'S

I have recently bought a 2 bedroom split level maisonette with its own loft and high pitched roof. I have basicly built a new floor off 3 beams which are concreted deep into the walls and completely boarded the room out with plug sockets and a light. Also i installed a spiral stair case which all has been carried out to a high standard.

The question is doe's the 4 year rule apply to this alteration. I really want to put a MOE Velux in but don't want to draw attention to the project.

Doe's anyone have any good advise?

I am going to use the space as an office!

Shytalkz · 31 Jul 2009

Why didn't you just get BRegs appro? If/when you come to sell, it will only cause you problems.

^woody^ · 31 Jul 2009

You would be hiding this unnecessarily for 4 years as it would most likley have been and will be permitted development. So would the velux

There is no time limit for b/regs though - especially if the conversion is a safety issue.

And your business insurance for the office/home may be invalid if working in an unlawful/unsafe room.

Does the "high standard" staircase include fire protection and warning and protection of the other rooms off the hall/landing?

Roof windows to a 2nd storey are no longer acceptable means of escape, BTW

meoldmukka · 4 Aug 2009

could i still get Building regs approved now?

I want to get a means of escape roof window that apparently is B/Regs approved.

Could the council or building regs make me take the whole lot out?

^woody^ · 4 Aug 2009

meoldmukka said:
I want to get a means of escape roof window that apparently is B/Regs approved.

^woody^ said:
Roof windows to a 2nd storey are no longer acceptable means of escape, BTW

Yes the council can require that you make the work conform, or reinstate the loft space .... but the choice will be yours

meoldmukka · 7 Aug 2009

so if i went to the council to try to get all the work approved as long as it was all approved by building regs it would be ok.

As for the MOE roof window, it is a special type of roof window that opens all the way out. If this is not acceptable what is?

The stair case is only 1200mm wide with 600mm risers. Is that acceptable for a single habitable room?

'It is so tricky knowing what way to go with all this'

what would you recomend i do about it?

^woody^ · 10 Aug 2009

meoldmukka said:
As for the MOE roof window, it is a special type of roof window that opens all the way out. If this is not acceptable what is?

The stair case is only 1200mm wide with 600mm risers. Is that acceptable for a single habitable room?

No windows are acceptable .... your main means of escape must be via a protected route through the house, or a door and external staircase. You can have a window in addition to , but not instead of this

And I don't think that you have 600mm risers, or you will need a ladder to get up the stairs

meoldmukka · 10 Aug 2009

the risers are standard about 150mm but they are only 600mm wide. 1200mm in total its like a space saver stair case.

Should i try to get it all approved or just keep it the way it is?

^woody^ · 10 Aug 2009

You need to assess this a bit more thoroughly in terms of..... if it does not currently conform, then what work will be required to make it conform. A proper staircase (not a space saver one) is a prerequisite.

But at the same time, even if you determine that the work required is too costly or onerous, then you should still consider the safety aspects so that even if you don't apply for proper approval, then at the very least ensure that it is safe to use - loadings and support, means of escape and warnings of and prevention of fire spread are a priority.

meoldmukka · 13 Aug 2009

thankyou for your help, i really just want a window so at least if there was a fire who ever was inside could crawl along the roof and get far away till the emergency services arrive.

Really i should seek some professional help by someone who know's there stuff. It is all pretty safe i had my friend who is a structural surveyer take a look and he said i've done a very good job on it and it is definately strong enough.

For now it is and will be a great benifit having the space anyway and it really has not cost that much.

Combover · 14 Aug 2009

meoldmukka said:
could i still get Building regs approved now?

I want to get a means of escape roof window that apparently is B/Regs approved.

Could the council or building regs make me take the whole lot out?

They could not make you take the whole thing out if it was (is) technically correct but the problem you have is that your means of escape are now via a protected route (i.e fire sterile stair enclosure leading to the ground floor front or rear door). An escape velux is dead legislation and quite rightly so.

Combover · 14 Aug 2009

It could technically be viewedas a criminal act to create an uncontrolled room in a roofspace as there is increased risk over and above those people who live on the ground and first floor. If something went wrong, the LA could take legal action against you.

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loft boarded out with electric and spiral staircase.

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