Creating a third storey invokes greater fire protection requirements to the building, it matters not if the third story is the top of a house, or part of 50 storey Tony Towers
That is how it has been since the 60's at least
URGENT - Firedoor requirement
- Thread starter sgrech
- Start date
Creating a third storey invokes greater fire protection requirements to the building, it matters not if the third story is the top of a house, or part of 50 storey Tony Towers
That is how it has been since the 60's at least
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In terms of the escape route, and the construction of the new loft floor, then yes.
But the 2000 edition specifically refers to loft conversions to a two-storey house. There is a specific concession on the existing doors (which don't have to be fire doors) and it is these the OP is concerned about, not any other requirements.
You seem to be missing his point
If the inspector raises this as an issue, ask on what authority, and post back here.
Am I missing the point about the conversion being done in 1981 and the 2000 regulations or whatever having no relevance?
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Am I missing the point about the conversion being done in 1981 and the 2000 regulations or whatever having no relevance?
Building Control wouldn't even entertain a regularization application from that date. It may as well have been converted in 1875 or 1066.
So who cares? Would a mortgage company, or an insurance company, or (heaven forbid) a purchaser's solicitor know any better?
Maybe, maybe not, but the point is you are wrong [again] on the interpretation of fire regulations and what will apply to the OP.
The implications for insurance are much more pertinent when it comes to what is and is not required
He was concerned about what the Building Inspector would say, not an insurance company.
You're going off on a tangent.
You're going off on a tangent.
The regs that were place at the time of construction need to be adhered to, any regs previously or since are irrelevant when the legality of the situation is questioned. You can't cherry pick which modern regs you'd like to achieve.
I've mislaid my 1875 copy of the Building Regs.
Can't help it if you're wrong tony.
So to summarise (if I have understood correctly)
The only building regulations that apply and can be enforced legally for work completed (i.e. my loft conversion) are those which were in force at the time of construction (1981). Tony has only confirmed that the 2000 regs had a specific concession regarding existing doors which didn't have to be fire doors.
We don't know what regs were in place back in 1981, but when we bought the property in'98 the solicitor have checked that the relevant BR sign off was received. The doors that were on the first floor when we moved in are those currently there which are not fire doors. There was a self closing fire door to the loft conversion room.
Given that the conversion is more now than 30 years old then building then regs would not be interested in anyway - would they?
If the regs in force at the time of instruction only apply then that would be imply that the fire door in the loft conversion should be fitted with a self closing device despite the regs changing in 2007 which negated this need.
It is worth noting that during previous 4 BR visits (each time they have been up the loft conversion as a en-suite is being constructed), no mention has been made of the fact that the fire door does not have a self closing mechanism.
Is this a fair summary?
The only building regulations that apply and can be enforced legally for work completed (i.e. my loft conversion) are those which were in force at the time of construction (1981). Tony has only confirmed that the 2000 regs had a specific concession regarding existing doors which didn't have to be fire doors.
We don't know what regs were in place back in 1981, but when we bought the property in'98 the solicitor have checked that the relevant BR sign off was received. The doors that were on the first floor when we moved in are those currently there which are not fire doors. There was a self closing fire door to the loft conversion room.
Given that the conversion is more now than 30 years old then building then regs would not be interested in anyway - would they?
If the regs in force at the time of instruction only apply then that would be imply that the fire door in the loft conversion should be fitted with a self closing device despite the regs changing in 2007 which negated this need.
It is worth noting that during previous 4 BR visits (each time they have been up the loft conversion as a en-suite is being constructed), no mention has been made of the fact that the fire door does not have a self closing mechanism.
Is this a fair summary?
@OP; Building Control would not ever consider giving a regularization certificate for any work completed before 11.11.85. Presumably this is because it is harder to keep track of older regulations and to know what was in force at any particular time.
For the same reason, it is highly unlikely that any council would (or could) take action after all this time.
This thread turned into a simple debate on whether or not fire doors were required for such work 30-odd years ago.
No matter who's right or wrong, you have no cause for concern.
A simple repair, such as when door are damaged, replacing like-for-like is no problem.
Just get on with it.
For the same reason, it is highly unlikely that any council would (or could) take action after all this time.
This thread turned into a simple debate on whether or not fire doors were required for such work 30-odd years ago.
No matter who's right or wrong, you have no cause for concern.
A simple repair, such as when door are damaged, replacing like-for-like is no problem.
Just get on with it.
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