Slope/bulkhead question

[UncleJon88]

Building advise question if possible please? Sorry if this is the wrong section.

Has anyone ever removed the slope coming up/down the stairs which has a bulkhead in a small bedroom to make the bedroom bigger? I think the head clearance would drop by about 20-25cm. Is this a building regs issue if it’s an older house built 1950s/1960s?

Wall is not load bearing.

Thank you.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You ought to maintain a height above the risers of 2m, irrespective of Building Regs, it's just common sense and safe.

 

[UncleJon88]

You ought to maintain a height above the risers of 2m, irrespective of Building Regs, it's just common sense and safe.

View attachment 403949

Thank you. Fully appreciate the reply.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thank you. Fully appreciate the reply.

I once saw good use of that awkward space being made, by cantilevering the foot end of a bed, part out, over the triangle.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Aye there's a been a few threads on suchlike over the years I think, maybe have a search: https://www.diynot.com/diy/search/8913034/?q=bulkhead+stairs&o=relevance

bulkhead over stairs ideas uk - Google Search

 

[UncleJon88]

Aye there's a been a few threads on suchlike over the years I think, maybe have a search: https://www.diynot.com/diy/search/8913034/?q=bulkhead+stairs&o=relevance

bulkhead over stairs ideas uk - Google Search

Thanks. I did search but nothing really answered my question hence the post.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks. I did search but nothing really answered my question hence the post.

Basically, you can remove the box frame timber above the slope, as you would to have already begun to do - but there is unlikely you could make any alteration to the slope itself, due to headroom clearance, above the stair.

 

[UncleJon88]

But what if we took the slope out and boxed off the area? It seems doable but just curious about builders regs on an old house really.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

But what if we took the slope out and boxed off the area? It seems doable but just curious about builders regs on an old house really.

If you mean, take the sloping ceiling out, and put a new ceiling in, at the upper level of that slope, then yes, you could do that. I have a similar boxed in part, in my own small bedroom, and that last method, was how mine was originally built - no sloping ceiling, just a step-up to a flat ceiling. Above the box, is a useful full height cupboard.

 

[big-all]

keep in mind a six foot person striding down the stairs and leaning forward a slight bit on the way down will be roughly a step height taller on an arc down so 1830mm plus say 210mm so not much less than 2m as your head reaches the point
try wedging in a bit off wood/plastic /any material at the height you think and walk under it and see iff whats in your head would give you what you think

also keep in mind you need to get furniture mattresses and other items under the now extra low point

 

[jj4091]

As far as I am aware building regs state that there has to be 6' 6" ( 2metres ) from any tread to the lowest part of the ceiling. I considered doing a similar thing but by creating a built in wardrobe with a raised floor.

 

[UncleJon88]

As far as I am aware building regs state that there has to be 6' 6" ( 2metres ) from any tread to the lowest part of the ceiling. I considered doing a similar thing but by creating a built in wardrobe with a raised floor.

Even on an older house? What if it was done without telling them?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

If you want to make the clear height less then go ahead nobody can stop you. The Building Regs that apply are the ones that existed at the time your house was built. I don't think there were any regarding stairs at the time. But is it sensible.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Even on an older house? What if it was done without telling them?

Fine, providing you limit all visitors, to under 5feet in height, along with potential purchasers in the future.

 

[jj4091]

Even on an older house? What if it was done without telling them?

It does not matter what age the house is. Buling work, which that would be classed as, needs to comply with building regulations. In this case it's a matter of safety.
I once had a cousin died through an accident where the ceiling did not comply with this regulation so I am accutely aware of the need for it.
Whether there is a need for you to apply for approval I don't know.