Loo in Understairs cupboard - do i need an extractor fan ?

[stevebamford]

Hi All

We are thinking of putting a downstairs loo in our understairs cupboard.

Its a semi with no outside wall near the stairs - hence no windows

Question is - do I need to put an extractor fan in ?

And if I do - can be 'low'level' ? i.e. extract from near the floor and go under the floorboards to the outside ?

Cheers

s

 

[WabbitPoo]

Yes, you need one or the other. As for whether low level is OK, I cant help. Cool idea though, if it is OK. And I THINK you need to tell BC anyway, so ask the BCO!

 

[Chri5]

No natural opening so a fan is a requirement.

Fans work better at height due to air rising upward.

Why not build in to a stud wall at height and duct with flat ducting ?

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  see http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Ventilation_Index/Ducting_Flat_5/index.html

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[Chukka63]

Technically you dont need one.Only the quthorities tell you you need one but the toilet will function fine without one,lol.i always disconnect them when i move in cos i HATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE them.lol

 

[Richard C]

Forming a new room with a loo in it is notifyable building work which must comply with a number of Building Regulations & the requirement for an extractor fan is just one; foul drainage & possible sound insulation of any stud walls are others.

Positioning the fan at low level is pointless & won’t provide any air circulation, the fan will just suck air directly through the gap under the door & into the duct; unlikely the BCO would accept it but without checking, I’m not actually sure of any dimensional requirements. Is there to be a hand wash basin in there?

 

[nozspark]

How about one of those seats with an extractor built in???

Something like

http://www.ventalu.com/bathroom_idea/toilet_seats_d.html

Don't know what your LABC think of them though,, you'd have to check

 

[Richard C]

How about one of those seats with an extractor built in???

I didn't know you could get such things, would love to know if it's BR compliant

 

[stevebamford]

Good job its 12V - you wouldn't want to pee on the connections would you !

 

[mikhailfaradayski]

What does the door of your new loo open into? (hallway, dining room etc)?

Whether theres a need to or not, consider the consequences of not installing one. Im sure you and your guests would not like to witness the smell of the last near-death-experience to take place in there.

Also, good point about the sound insulation, for much the same reason as the fan - the sounds of a splash down at ground zero might not be conducive to the dinner party you are hosting.

 

[stevebamford]

Thanks all - it opens into the hallway so there will be two heavy wooden doors between it and our dining guests !

We won't be building any stud walls as the space is there already (currently used as a storage cupboard)

Just need to check if its big enough for a WC and a sink - and to still get a person in !

re. the ducting. We could have a high-level extract then run it down through a cupboard and then under the floor - would be very long though- maybe 5m or so

 

[Chukka63]

i saw a toilet on tv last night that had the basin in the top (cistern position) and the waste water is used in the flushing of the toilet.

 

[Ejaz]

cool, i'm thinking about doing the same thing with my stairs, what are your dimensions? I'm still trying to figure out if I've got enough room. luckily I have room for a window so won't need a fan.

 

[stem]

My downstairs loo is in a similar position. I have installed a shower type extractor fan that includes a light. The fan is located in the void between the ceiling and upstairs floor. A flexible duct then travels along the same void over the utility room to an outside wall. A small ceiling hatch in the utility room provides access the fan for repair/maintenance.

Toilet Fan

• stem
• 9 Sep 2009
• 3

 

[Richard C]

We won't be building any stud walls as the space is there already (currently used as a storage cupboard)

But if any of the existing walls between the new loo & another habitable room (lounge!) are studwork, they will require sound insulation to comply with BR’s.

re. the ducting. We could have a high-level extract then run it down through a cupboard and then under the floor - would be very long though- maybe 5m or so

Make sure you get a suitable fan; many budget units won’t extract properly over that duct length.

Don’t forget what I said, the provision of a room with a w/c in it is notifyable work!

 

[bloxy]

And if I do - can be 'low'level' ? i.e. extract from near the floor and go under the floorboards to the outside ?

Like this
(Courtesy of RF Lighting see the Hall of Shame //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:hs:pic3)

Sorry couldn't help it