Dividing a shared integral garage - Fire Regs.

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Hello All,

I am a new member and this is my first post, so please forgive me if I've not labelled it or categorized it correctly.

I'm an architectural technician and have recently taken on a job which involved dividing a shared integral garage into 2 halves (one side for each of the owners). It is situated at ground level, beneath a old Victorian house which has been divided into flats.

My question is: what specification does the dividing stud partition need to be? I know it has to be fire rated obviously, but I don't quite understand if it needs to have 2 skins (party wall) or just 1 skin. Does it need to be half hour/1 hour fire rated or more.

I can't find any specific guidance in the Building Regs or online, as this specific situation is not covered.

Please help.

Thanks, Katie
 
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Compartment walls separating two properties should have 60 minutes fire resistance, and meet the party wall standard for sound, and some inspectors may want thermal performance too.

Number of skins is irrelevant in how the walls meets the requirements.

Bear in mind that electric services set into timber partitions impact on fire, sound and thermal performance.
 
Thanks for your reply Woody,

Can I just confirm that sound and thermal performance are definitely required, given that it is just a garage which is being split into two. The garage currently has 2 front garage doors and 2 rear personnel doors (leading to separate gardens). The garages sit directly underneath the flats, which have external steps up to the communal front door.

Thanks in advance for your advice.
Katie
 
I suppose the other question would be is the ownership of the garage and flat above different or the same person?
 
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I didn't think sound regulations apply for walls between non habitual rooms.
 
As the garage is being separated in to two, presumably each will have different ownership, in which case the wall should be treated as a compartment wall and specified as I mentioned previously. You will need to check with whoever is carrying out the building control function regarding thermal performance as differing inspectors may take a different view, and unless you want to argue about it, it's not worth trying to, so just insulate.
 
I agree with you Woody….and I will do exactly that (treat it as a compartment wall with thermal insulation etc). Thank you again for your advice…it’s very much appreciated.
Katie
 
Remember to detail the perimeter to deal with any gaps that may form from movement or shrinkage of the frame
 

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