Loft "walkway"

[ReggieStrant]

Whilst contemplating upgrading loft insulation on my 1960's bungalow, I encountered the usual problems of inspection access (for roof leaks, vermin, electrical junctions, water pipes etc) to a space with joist depths of a mere 100mm.

Like a few others, I decided it would be best to have some kind of "walkway" (perhaps ~3ft wide). Because of the depth of joists I would prefer if this "floated" above said joist and had bearings only upon internal / external load bearing walls (ie boarding sat atop beams sized according to TRADA guidance for floors).

Obviously access will be only ~ four times a year (to adjust CH pressure & put the Xmas tree baubles up / down).

Would this structure require PP or fall under BRegs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DevilDamo]

In simple terms, no.

 

[cornishbuilder]

In simple terms, no.

What he said..

 

[ReggieStrant]

In simple terms, no.

I feel like Citizen Smith sat behind the desk in No.10 Downing St. All reved up and nothing to rail against! Is this normal?

 

[DevilDamo]

I could go into the reasons why but thought... what's the point as the answer is a simple no

If others would like to know why PP or BR would not be requried, then happy reading

Planning Permission... http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/buildingwork/projects/workcommonloftconversion/

Building Regulations... http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/en...s/workcommonloftconversion/workmorebrloftcon/[/url]

 

[^woody^]

Does anyone actually go up in the loft and inspect the roof/electrics pipes etc on a regular basis?

Some LA building control dept will require an application for boarding or boarding a certain amount of area, and will require proof that ceiling joists are suitable or binders wont be removed etc. How they enforce this I don't know, but technically this would be controlled work

Many properties only have 3" joists and quite large spans, which may not cope with boarding and loading

 

[ReggieStrant]

Does anyone actually go up in the loft and inspect the roof/electrics pipes etc on a regular basis?

I think people generally bury their heads in the sand until a problem becomes manifest.

Some LA building control dept will require an application for boarding or boarding a certain amount of area, and will require proof that ceiling joists are suitable or binders wont be removed etc. How they enforce this I don't know, but technically this would be controlled work

Many properties only have 3" joists and quite large spans, which may not cope with boarding and loading

I concur with all that, and I'd add that the inadequacy of ceiling strength as a means of flooring support of any kind goes beyond the fink truss means of construction to which you might have alluded. My own property has as original ceiling framing 4"x 2" throughout, including hangers/binders as well as joists, spanning 4.5 x 4.5m rooms. The idea that a couple of 2"x 4" 4.5m binders could add any stability, other than twist prevention, to a 4.5m x 4.5m room is not one I've come across in my perusal of TRADA span tables ... and yet that is what I have.

Then again, a neighbour of mine seemed to get on fine even w/o these binders ... well, for the first 20 years anyhow: then his perimeter load bearing walls collapsed against the outer skin of course, this was not a joist problem per se, but untied rafters which began to splay, but it gives one an idea of the quality of build. My guess is, if we had anything like a serious quake in the UK, we'd lose a good tenth of the affected housing stock.


Needless to say, I'm thinking of upgrading my own binders, but that's another story.