Does this downstairs WC layout satisfy building regs?

[r_c]

I know you will have more experience of building regs than I have, and I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on whether this layout would satisfy building regs.

I have read somewhere about disabled access, and this is what worries me.

• The room is 1.4m deep x 1.02m wide.
• Toilet in yellow is 605mm deep Vitra S50.
• The sink in green is 216mm deep from Saneux.
• The door is 700mm wide.
• The toilet is centred on the window.

In case of regional variations, I am based in North Herts.

2017-01-21 15.45.31

• r_c
• 21 Jan 2017

 

[stem]

I had a similar issue. Part M of the building regulations deals with it. You can see a copy here. Whilst new build homes must comply with Part M, I was informed that if the building is existing, any modifications made must ensure that the building must not be less compliant with Part M, than before the work started. As I did not have a downstairs WC before, even though the new one was not compliant that was OK.

If however, before I started work, there had been a downstairs WC that was complaint, and I wanted to remove it and construct a non compliant WC somewhere else, that would not be acceptable.

Anyway, mine was passed OK, but it was several years ago, however though, looking at the Part M document the relevant part (Page 11 Extensions and Material Alterations; Dwellings) doesn't seem to have changed since then.

 

[^woody^]

Building regs don't apply to layouts. Part M only applies to new builds.

 

[r_c]

Yes Part M looks like the regulation I was worried about. From what I can read on page 11 (Section 0.1) the requirements apply if "an existing non-domestic building is extended, or undergoes a material alteration" and also goes on to confirm what you say about not being allowed to make it less compliant. In this case I would struggle to find plans and photos of the old downstairs WC. (We never lived in the house.) But I have a feeling there was a step down into the WC ... so I hope that in light of the fact that there is no longer a step into the WC, then this means we are more compliant.

Thank you both for your input.

 

[Nakajo]

Honestly, you're worrying about something that's completely irrelevant.

 

[r_c]

Thank you.