Building Control Problems

[discovery]

I am taking down a structural wall between a conservatory and the house, and I have tried to do all the right things by getting building control involved before we got a builder etc and getting structual calcs, but we are now on our third building control officer, and each has wanted something differant, the latest wants nthe foundations of the hose exposed, which means gigging up 6 inches of concrete.

Can they ask for this ? all we are doing is taking out a central piller as there is a door and window there

 

[Jasonb]

By removing the pillar and inserting a beam in its place the load that was supported by that pillar is now being carried by the walls which support the beam and then down into the foundation. The BCO justs wants to ensure that the foundations are man enough for the job and cover his or her back.

Yes they can ask for this and if they then feel that the existing foundations are not upto the job will require you to alter the foundation accordingly or get your structural engineer to prove otherwise by calculations.

Jason

 

[discovery]

Thanks Jason
I just wish they would have advised this upfront we have already had a number of issues which have been expensive to incorporate which seems to be different BCO's interpratations on what should be a straight forward job


Paul

By removing the pillar and inserting a beam in its place the load that was supported by that pillar is now being carried by the walls which support the beam and then down into the foundation. The BCO justs wants to ensure that the foundations are man enough for the job and cover his or her back.

Yes they can ask for this and if they then feel that the existing foundations are not upto the job will require you to alter the foundation accordingly or get your structural engineer to prove otherwise by calculations.

Jason

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

This kind of problem is always a risk when getting approval on a notice.

 

[^woody^]

If there was a wall there previously, then there is no reason to expose foundations - ie you are bearing onto a section of external wall which would be on foundations

The BCO is being unreasonable, and bordering on being clueless

The only time I would expect foundations needing to be proved, would be if this was an internal wall, and even then only in rare circumstances where there is actual doubt about them