Hello
I have a first floor flat which is part of a 3 storey Victorian conversion (3 separate flats). Approximately 10 years ago, I swapped the kitchen and the 2nd bedroom around (they were next door to each other).
I was very naive at the time and relied too much on the guidance from my builders. I vaguely remember them saying I didn't need planning permission. However, I don't remember either me asking or them advising me about building regs. I wasn't aware of them! Needless to say, the kitchen was moved without notifying building control.
Now I am older and wiser, my concern is that I should have contacted building control as this arrangement is a potential fire risk. Am I right?
The kitchen is now directly next to the communal stairs whereas previously there was a small lobby between these stairs and the original kitchen. As far as I am aware there is a normal plasterboard wall between the kitchen and these stairs. I suspect the ceiling is the same. There is no entrance to the kitchen from the communal stairs and I don't need to go through the kitchen to get out of the flat.
I know ventilation can be an issue but I think I am ok there - There is an extractor over the electric cooker through an external wall and a gas boiler, also with its own external flue. The sink is underneath a window which can opened.
I don't want to get into trouble with building control or move the kitchen. However, I am thinking of selling in a couple of years and in any event I am concerned about the current risks to my neighbours.
Can I resolve this by explaining the error to building control and installing fire-resistant plasterboard between the kitchen and stairs? would I need to do this also for the ceiling? Can fire resistant plasterboard be laid over the existing wall?
Any advice gratefully received.
Thank you
Munchen
I have a first floor flat which is part of a 3 storey Victorian conversion (3 separate flats). Approximately 10 years ago, I swapped the kitchen and the 2nd bedroom around (they were next door to each other).
I was very naive at the time and relied too much on the guidance from my builders. I vaguely remember them saying I didn't need planning permission. However, I don't remember either me asking or them advising me about building regs. I wasn't aware of them! Needless to say, the kitchen was moved without notifying building control.
Now I am older and wiser, my concern is that I should have contacted building control as this arrangement is a potential fire risk. Am I right?
The kitchen is now directly next to the communal stairs whereas previously there was a small lobby between these stairs and the original kitchen. As far as I am aware there is a normal plasterboard wall between the kitchen and these stairs. I suspect the ceiling is the same. There is no entrance to the kitchen from the communal stairs and I don't need to go through the kitchen to get out of the flat.
I know ventilation can be an issue but I think I am ok there - There is an extractor over the electric cooker through an external wall and a gas boiler, also with its own external flue. The sink is underneath a window which can opened.
I don't want to get into trouble with building control or move the kitchen. However, I am thinking of selling in a couple of years and in any event I am concerned about the current risks to my neighbours.
Can I resolve this by explaining the error to building control and installing fire-resistant plasterboard between the kitchen and stairs? would I need to do this also for the ceiling? Can fire resistant plasterboard be laid over the existing wall?
Any advice gratefully received.
Thank you
Munchen
