Rsj or not

[Aishling]

Ok bit of a complicated one. I am in a converted flat in an industrial building that has concrete floors and ceilings think car park! I am removing stud walls to create open kitchen, living room. The stud walls are not structural to the building as they are not supporting concrete however I think they are supporting wooden ceiling joists as they are perpendicular to the stud walls. The total expanse of the new space is 6.2m the stud walls are currently at 1.8m and 4.2m (there is a hallway in between). Question is do I need to put rsj in or is there a cheaper alternative?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

What floor level is your flat on? Because if above 4.5m high you'll not be able to have an open plan arrangement.

 

[Aishling]

Hi thanks so much for the reponse. Why not my flat is an internal structure it is not holding up any of the structures above? My architect signed off on drawings and I have building warrant.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Because if your floor level is higher than 4.5m above ground level then you must have a safe means of escape (in a fire) ie via the hallway (3.18 page 22 of the document linked to below).

If your floor level is 4.5m above ground level or lower then you can get away with open plan provided the habitable room windows (ie the bedrooms) have windows that meet the escape window criteria (3.14 page 21 of the document linked to below).

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/639ae7e98fa8f5069839c7d7/Approved_Document_B__fire_safety__volume_1_-_Dwellings__2019_edition_incorporating_2020_and_2022_amendments.pdf

 

[Aishling]

Awh yeah sorry I should have said I have sprinklers and fire ladders in rooms. Thanks for quick reply

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Yes that might have helped, anyway if the ceiling joists are supported on the stud walls (why hasn't your architect or you checked?) then whatever is replacing the stud walls will need to be sufficient enough to support the ceiling, that could maybe be a pair of beefy joists or steel or otherwise.