Understairs cloakroom (again)

[billybookcase]

I was reading that all new houses are built with a downstairs toilet for access by wheelchair users.
My understairs "cloakroom" has a step down to it, does this mean that it won't pass the building regs rules?
Thanks.

 

[Bahco]

Phone your local Building Control Officer.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Is yours a new house? If its not you won't need to worry about a step down.

 

[alpcon]

Beware. Have you enough room to fit a toilet and possibly a basin? as many building control departments will insist on a basin being fitted if the location is close to the kitchen. You will also have to fit an extractor fan.

You will need to weigh up all this V the cost

 

[billybookcase]

Thanks.
No, it's an old house, and yes there is room for a toilet and basin.

Not sure about the extractor fan though, it would have to cross about 5 foot of hallway (under the floorboards) to reach the outside wall, and then it would exit into the alleyway at shin level, is this acceptable?

Which end should the fan be? In the cupboard or on the outside wall?

 

[alpcon]

Correct me if im wrong - you intend to run the ducting for the fan under the floorboards to an outside wall

Ducting is best in a ceiling void and it will help if the joists run in your favour. Or you could run the ducting on the surface of the ceiling and box it in.

Ideally the fan should be on an outside wall and vented directly through the wall to the outside. It will also have to be on a timer with a 15 min overrun which is normally operated when the light is switched on.

It sounds, by your description, that fitting the fan is not feasable.

 

[billybookcase]

Not feasible if it needs to run through a ceiling void, no.

Is there a problem with running it under the floor? (That's just a ceiling void at ground level isn't it? )

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

If you have the door undercut which is at low level and a vent at high level you'll achieve a circular air movement which should extract a lot more efficiently than an extract at floor level which may well do bugger all as heat rises etc. Building regs does actually state that you should get the fan as high as possible, as previously mentioned if you want to get it certified run your proposals past building control. The building regs are not all mandatory and do not necessarily need to be adhered to if it can be justified. On the other hand if you're not gonna bother with approval, stick it where you like, its you who has to live with the smell.

 

[billybookcase]

I plan to put a sign above the toilet.

"NO SOLIDS!"