Urgent advice needed on lighting in new extension / building regs

GClyde

boots_babe,

I'd ask the BCO what regulation that he is applying for clarity.

As far as I am aware, the regs state that a room should have provision for 4 socket outlets and a downlight with a switch - and that's it!!

However, i can see the point regards to heat loss and air infiltration as the vapour control layer would be breached on the sloping ceiling.

Also, spot lights generate a lot of heat and that heat needs to escape from above it........speak to an electrican on this one.

Someone mentioned a velux............that's different my friend - it's a window with it's sides sealed (well, should be) and the window has a U value of around 1.8 - mcuh higher than the roof with a U value of around 0.2.

G

iamcornholio

GClyde wrote: »

boots_babe,

Someone mentioned a velux............that's different my friend - it's a window with it's sides sealed (well, should be) and the window has a U value of around 1.8 - mcuh higher than the roof with a U value of around 0.2.

G

I mentioned a velux (yes I know what one is) in context of it would be acceptable to a BCO and yet would create more heat loss than a few holes for lights. The OP's BCO seems to be a numpty robot who can't think for himself

GClyde

Sorry, I was implying that the area around the velux would be sealed - preventing heat loss through air leakage. Whereas, holes penetraing the vapour control layer would leak warm air.......I didn't mean that you didn't know what a velux was..sorry:o

boots_babe

KillerWatt wrote: »

You can't negotiate with building control, what they say goes if you want it signed off.

Thought I would post back here the outcome, if nothing else so that others searching for advice will have some hope.

The building control inspector came back and after discussing it again with my husband, he somehow persuaded him into allowing us to have the lights :j

SO pleased! It does make me wonder why he refused in the first instance though, as it can't really be much of an issue if he has backed down, which makes me a bit angry (we almost had to spoil our room for no reason - this is not the first issue we've had problems with, our builder believes him to be very awkward to deal with). We've not had to make any concessions, he has thankfully just changed his mind :T

Just to mention as well, I know someone compared this situation with wanting a velux window - we do actually already have a large velux window on one side of the sloping roof (this WAS on the original approved plans, just the lighting that was not included).

I am so relieved - thank you to everyone for all your help and advice. Hopefully this thread will be useful to others in the future - it is definitely worth questioning the building control inspector, it has worked for us thankfully.

booty40uk

It does make me wonder why he refused in the first instance though

Because he is a building control officer which, by definition, makes hime an !!!!!!!

muckybutt

Definately question the building inspector.

A good few years back I converted out loft ( bungalow ) into a very large living room, first inspection sound no problems, second inspection came when stairs went in, different inspector this time. "where is your fire door" was the first thing he said, dont need one i replied, fire door only needed if going upto a second floor eg a three storey house, we had installed two fire escape velux windows as well when we only needed one. "well im saying you have to have one" i beg to differ and he refused to sign off, so did research and sure enough I was right he was wrong, also asked brother in law as he is a chief fire officer and he confirmed I was right.

So a swift letter went to head of building control and two days later a phone call from the said head of BC, confirming I was right and the bci was indeed wrong, the inspector came around that afternoon and apologised and signed it off, so moral of this senario is if you dont agree with the iotollahs then do your homework and appeal to the head of BC