Loft Conversion Building Regulations Advice

maybe_tomorrow_2

Could someone please explain in layman's terms when/where building regulations are required for a loft conversion, specifically the difference in regulation requirements whether the loft is converted for storage or for habitable purposes. Is there a difference type of building reg sign off for habitable and storage?

Many Thanks
Matthew

muckybutt

Ask your local council its that simple !

If you are in a house and going up an extra floor then theres a whole load of building regs stuff especially if you want to make it habitable.

Gloomendoom

Essentially, if you are just going to board it out for use as storage, building regs probably don't apply, just common sense.

If you start adding rooflights, windows, fixed staircases then building control will start to get interested.

As the poster above said, ring your local building control and ask them.

Yorkie1

Bear in mind that attic joists are not designed for much weight-bearing, so don't store lots of heavy stuff up there without doing some strengthening work anyway.

maybe_tomorrow_2

Thanks, I have spoken with my local building officer who stated that they would expect loft converstion to comply with building regulations in terms of fire, structurally etc etc but said there was no less strict regulations for use as storage only?? Is this the case? Has anyone had a similar experience. I thought it could be signed off as storage and not be listed as a bedroom, but having spoken to him it does not seem to be the case. confused now.

Just for the record there is a staircase and new joists but no door... just a staircase from landing to loft.

Edwardia

The planning dept will want to check it over when finished and they will decide whether it meets specs or not. If you're intending to sell house with it as extra bedroom then it would need insulation and a door and other stuff. Maybe you could find a book or plans on Amazon ??

Next door but two neighbour had builders in to do conversion and then it was declared unfit for human habitation by local council which annoyed her no end.

muckybutt

Some 12 years ago we lived in a bungalow which we converted the loft into a living room, we had full bc approval - sent them some drawings we had done ourself. They came out and had a look when we had put the floor joists in, then looked again when stairs and fire escape velux had gone in then signed it off. It really was that simple.

They did decide to try to throw a spanner in the works by saying we had to put a fire door in at the top of the stairs which isnt a requirement for single story to two story dwellings but he was insistent he dwanted one or he wouldnt sign it off, all it took was a letter from by brother in law who is an assiatant chief fire officer setting out the requirements in the building regs, the bco was around pretty sharpish after getting a rollocking off his boss apologising profusely and giving us the certification :rotfl:

MX5huggy

If you have put in the stair case then it should be considered as a loft conversion now. Just get the building regs sorted.

muckybutt

Boarding-out for storage
In most homes, the existing timber joists that form the "floor" of the loft space ( i.e. the ceiling of the rooms below) will not have been designed to support a significant weight (known as "load"). The joists tie the pitched members of the roof together to prevent them spreading and support the ceiling lining of the rooms below.
An excessive additional load, for example from storage, it may mean that the joists are loaded beyond their design capacity. If you decide to lay flooring boards over the existing joists in the loft space, then this may require a Building Regulations Application to Building Control. Your local Building Control body will be able to advise you on this issue.

Creating a liveable space
If you decide to create a liveable space (a 'livable space' is where you intend to use the room as a normal part of your house, this includes spare bedrooms which may be used infrequently) in an existing loft space of a home it is likely to require a range of alterations.
Many of these could have an adverse impact on the building and its occupants if they are not properly thought out, planned and undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.
Fire safety

Loft Conversions

When converting an existing roof space into a room or rooms the provisions for escape need to be considered throughout the full extent of the escape route. This often means that additional fire protection will be necessary in the existing parts of the house.
For example, a typical loft conversion to a two-storey house will result in the need to provide new fire-resisting doors and sometimes partitions to protect the stairway (see Approved Document Part B Volume 1 FAQ bullet points). This is because it is too dangerous to escape via windows from floors above first floor level.
Mains powered, interlinked smoke alarms will also need to be provided within the stairway at each level.
It may also be necessary to upgrade the fire protection to some parts of the structure of the house such as the floors.
You may also wish to consult 'Approved Document B (Fire safety) – Volume 1: Dwellinghouses (2006 Edition)' .

Taken from planning portal.gov

Sgt_Pepper_2

maybe_tomorrow wrote: »

Thanks, I have spoken with my local building officer who stated that they would expect loft converstion to comply with building regulations in terms of fire, structurally etc etc but said there was no less strict regulations for use as storage only?? Is this the case? Has anyone had a similar experience. I thought it could be signed off as storage and not be listed as a bedroom, but having spoken to him it does not seem to be the case. confused now.

Just for the record there is a staircase and new joists but no door... just a staircase from landing to loft.

I don't think they will sign it off just for storage. As you've gone to a third floor I think you will need self closing fire doors and maybe even one on the kitchen.

macman

maybe_tomorrow wrote: »

Thanks, I have spoken with my local building officer who stated that they would expect loft converstion to comply with building regulations in terms of fire, structurally etc etc but said there was no less strict regulations for use as storage only?? Is this the case? Has anyone had a similar experience. I thought it could be signed off as storage and not be listed as a bedroom, but having spoken to him it does not seem to be the case. confused now.

Just for the record there is a staircase and new joists but no door... just a staircase from landing to loft.

New joists and a staircase are structural, so yes, you do require building regs approval. Planning permission is a separate issue.
If the conversion is to living space, rather than storage, then the fire regs in particular must be complied with, which means a properly fixed and sized staircase, and possibly fire doors on the floors below.
If you do no structural work and only board it out for storage, then BRA is not required.