Building Control Approval - Loft Conversion

Leif

keithgillyon wrote: »

i was trying to get the OP to do a basic check without making the home owner wonder what he was doing but i think he may find it odd if the OP gets his tape measure out & starts measuring the thickness of the doors

Surely there is nowt wrong with measuring the thickness of a door. Taking brick samples might be going a bit far ... You are just doing your own survey, and the Home Buyers Report is pretty pathetic is it not?

southcoastrgi

Leif wrote: »

Surely there is nowt wrong with measuring the thickness of a door. Taking brick samples might be going a bit far ... You are just doing your own survey, and the Home Buyers Report is pretty pathetic is it not?

yeh he could just say he was measuring up for the amount of gloss he'd need :rotfl:

iamcornholio

Its a waste of time checking this and that. Pay a professional for a survey, and check at the council for an application

cyclonebri1

maybe_tomorrow wrote: »

This surly must be a common thing, having a loft conversion which isnt control approved. Do people just not tell the insurance company?

Yes, it is common, and so is cutting corners during an unapproved conversion, I've seen the wrong end of that.

As said the structure of the conversion will not be visible, ie, the roof strengthening, the purlins and their support or the steels and there's and the ventilation and the replacement floor structure plus much much more. I don't see how on earth any authority could safely issue a cert without the room being virtually gutted to gain access.

You also need to consider the auto door closers, fireseals on doors, fire retardant varnishes on woodwork on the 3rd floor, the list is pretty endless not to mention the snow load and roof load calcs that without access to the upper roof and the work of a struc eng would be impossible to determine.

Is it a semi or detached, if a party wall is involved then any alterations will invoke the party wall act, I'm pretty sure.

maybe_tomorrow_2

Thanks for all the advice.
One thing that hasnt been discussed is the fact that there are 4 small (very small) velux windows rather that a typical large one. Not big enough for a large adult to climb out of.

What effect will this have on fire safety/BC approval? Or is this negligable provided the staircase and door has 30min fireproofing on a two story house with loft conversion.

Thanks

cyclonebri1

There has to be an escape widow of a certain size and a maximum distance from the floor, don't have the sizes to hand)that's more likely to be your issue.

I had 2 velux windows in the 1st 1 I did, but had to cut an opening window in the house gable end at the correct height, this incidentally was invaluable in getting 5mtr 9 x 2s inside:D:D, straight off the scafold tower.

The council in our area are very keen on luft conversions and I know would not put their name to anything they cannot see or have proven.

iamcornholio

Escape windows are no longer a requirement or a permitted escape route for third-storey loft conversions

But if regularisation is applied for, may well have been a requirement when the conversion was done.

But it would be negotiable

southcoastrgi

iamcornholio wrote: »

Its a waste of time checking this and that. Pay a professional for a survey, and check at the council for an application

it's not a waste of time at all, checking the things described will give the OP a good idea if it has been through building control & isn't costing him a penny, & i believe i've already said check with building control.

iamcornholio

Of course it is.

Many people go through building control and then change the doors from the ugly fire doors with self closers to some nice ones

The OP is surely not going to make a decision to buy or not, or be any the wiser by checking a door and a lining stop.

In any case, he should probably be more concerned if the loft floor and roof are structurally sound, than the presence of a few fire doors

He is not experienced to check the level of non-compliance if any. So the first step if to determine if the work was subject to any required approvals, and then have the property checked for compliance or other issues

southcoastrgi

iamcornholio wrote: »

Of course it is.

Many people go through building control and then change the doors from the ugly fire doors with self closers to some nice ones

The OP is surely not going to make a decision to buy or not, or be any the wiser by checking a door and a lining stop.

In any case, he should probably be more concerned if the loft floor and roof are structurally sound, than the presence of a few fire doors

He is not experienced to check the level of non-compliance if any. So the first step if to determine if the work was subject to any required approvals, and then have the property checked for compliance or other issues

oh how stupid of me & there was me thinking this was MSE, where certain things could be checked for free, but yeh let the OP go with your suggestion of getting a full structural survey costing hundreds on a property they may not even buy & i'm sure the owner will be more than pleased to let his ceilings be taken down & floors taken up to check insulation levels, & of course most people pay a great deal of money on solid fire doors only to throw them away & replace them with cheap panel doors.

Check with planning & building control for.................guess what, for FREE.