New bathroom regs

btedds

Hi,

I have been looking on Google all morning and I can't find anything on this.
My architect has specified on our building regs documents that our bathroom door will open outwards to meet the regs regarding access for wheelchairs.

But this will mean that the door will open into a hallway which is only a little wider than the door itself. The hallway leads to a bedroom and so if you come at it from the bedroom it will be very awkward to open away from you and it block the hallway completely when open.

Does the bathroom doorway have to open outwards to meet building regulations?

We are just renovating our house and putting in a new bathroom in the new extension.

If anyone has any knowledge on this it would be REALLY appreciated.
:think:

Kiran

That doesn't really make much sesne but I would say that refurbishment and new installations are not governed by the same rules. For example on a new house the sockets need to be 450mm up from the floor for disabled access but if you are having a full rewire then you are able to keep them lower. You have also said that it would block the hallway which doesn't seem DDA compliant to me. I would ask the architect to to change it, after all they work for you, if building control question it ask them how exactly DDA would take account for the fact that you can't open the door from one end of the hallway and get into the bathroom? Common sense will hoepfully prevail!

btedds

Sorry it is difficult to explain...........

The bathroom is in the new extension (so it a completely new bathroom) which I presume means that it needs to meet building regs?

Does building regs specify that a new bathroom door HAS to open outwards?
I know nothing about building regs and I find it all VERY confusing!

I would ask our architect but our architect is less than helpful, I have called him twice this week with no response. He said building regs would take 5-8 weeks and that was in November last year - still not gone through, as they have unanswered queries on it! I am guessing that he doesn't know much about regs either!

Canucklehead

Hi

Building Regs part M

Section 5.

Outward opening doors will allow the door to be opened should someone collapse in the bathroom.
Obviously a lock that can be opened from outside will be fitted.

GSR.

WestonDave

If you look on the planning portal website for "doc M" it does appear to state that there should be an accessible toilet facility on the entrance floor of dwellings, and that for it to comply with being an accessible toilet, the door needs to open outwards amongst other things.

What you need to establish (and it may be easiest to phone the council building regs people and ask) is whether this applies in your case or whether its just to do with new build homes.

Incidentally if you do "have" to do it - the work around is to let them put it up that way round, and once the building regs people have been to inspect - reverse it - OK so you'll have some holes to fill etc but if they insist on sticking to the rules it might be the only way round it!

ginvzt

Can you have the doors that open to both sides?... Double hinged or whatever they are called...

wallbash

reverse it - OK so you'll have some holes to fill etc but if they insist on sticking to the rules it might be the only way round it!

Thats the easy way , the paper pushers are happy . and us who live in the real world
ecstatic.

btedds

VERY VERY big thanks!

Hmmm, looks like it will have to open outwards then, although it does seem really silly to meet regs and then turn it around. My mum is actually in a wheelchair and if I put the door opening outwards then she will not be able to access the bathroom from the guest bedroom as it will block the hallway!

I also have an ensuite bathroom on the ground floor, this has doors which already open outwards, would this mean I already meet the regs or does an ensuite not count?

WestonDave

I would say that the ensuite should cover the requirement because it is about providing one facility on the entrance level - as you already have this, you are covered. Is the architect aware of this - if not then you should be able to get the plans changed.

However its possible the ensuite doesn't cover some of the other requirements such as room to turn a wheelchair (if applicable in Part M)

wallbash

When it comes to it , you have to do what is best for you .

If your builder, is informed about the regs AND you tell him your problem AND
solution he can help.
i.e just lightly pining on door jam.

btedds

I hope my builder will be more help than my architect!!!!!!!!!!

Is it ok to alter building reg plans after they have been passed - as long as the amendments still meet the regs?

I only ask as the builder is due to start in the next few weeks and the regs have still not been passed.