Block and beam flooring.

cyclonebri1

Question for the builders here, if there are any?

Not an issue for me or anyone but the guy with the field over the road from me is having a new house built. Today there is a massive crane dropping the beams for the floor into situ.

It just got me thinking as I've never been involved with this type of floor construction although I do understand the principals.

If the underfloor was a decent depth, it would be very easy to create a trap door system in timber to get access to all underfloor areas via gap in skeleton walls. Say in a closet or under stairs area.
But where are services, gas heating and electrics generally run with this system???

Furts

There are no services with this type of floor except a water main rising at the required position - typically under a sink. The incoming gas and electric terminate at the meter box on an external wall position, then rise upwards. But this is no different to an in-situ concrete floor slab - it is simply dry concrete in pre cast form, so the same mindset.

If radiators are installed the pipes would drop towards the rads. But under floor heating will be practical because the floor will have a levelling screed so the pipes can go in conjunction with this.

Builders do not put copper pipes in the screed, nor gas pipes - access, corrosion and risk of damage being the reasons.

daveyjp

Electrics are run in the stud walls.

brightontraveller

Where they run services etc depends on what architect/designers decided
Standard off the shelf so to speak beam and block, hollowcore etc doesn’t have specific Channels Ducts Troughs etc but can be specified much like pre insulation if you want to pay they’ll do it but its more commercial e.g. offices schools hospitals than domestic….

cyclonebri1

Furts wrote: »

There are no services with this type of floor except a water main rising at the required position - typically under a sink. The incoming gas and electric terminate at the meter box on an external wall position, then rise upwards. But this is no different to an in-situ concrete floor slab - it is simply dry concrete in pre cast form, so the same mindset.

If radiators are installed the pipes would drop towards the rads. But under floor heating will be practical because the floor will have a levelling screed so the pipes can go in conjunction with this.

Builders do not put copper pipes in the screed, nor gas pipes - access, corrosion and risk of damage being the reasons.

Cheers fella, out of choice I would never have a solid floored home although all mine have had a section like that, the kitchen diner usually.

But given the B&B is today preferred, would it not be easy to install say 75mm dia free flow pipe under every floor to a service point in each room?. Even with total under floor insulation this would still be possible.

Pipes rising upwards from the basement isn't an issue but who would want drop pipes from the ist subfoor??This throws up the next issue, my friend the farmer had his built with B&B to the upper deck too, hence why not more thought into this because drop pipes there would be awkward to say the least.

Cheers chap.;)

Furts

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Cheers fella, out of choice I would never have a solid floored home although all mine have had a section like that, the kitchen diner usually.

But given the B&B is today preferred, would it not be easy to install say 75mm dia free flow pipe under every floor to a service point in each room?. Even with total under floor insulation this would still be possible.

Pipes rising upwards from the basement isn't an issue but who would want drop pipes from the ist subfoor??This throws up the next issue, my friend the farmer had his built with B&B to the upper deck too, hence why not more thought into this because drop pipes there would be awkward to say the least.

Cheers chap.;)

An upper floor of B+B requires design and thought. Like how to attach the plasterboard ceiling? Hangers are available to hold counter battens because the beams are pre-stressed so concerns here with drilling and shot firing fixings - a no go area generally. Then there is the weight - should not be bearing on typical insulation blocks. Then the stability when building - if not careful the walls can be hit over. Services are another area to be designed - it is not like drilling or notching a timber joist.

I trust your farmer friend has these points and others all weighed up!

Builders go for timber because it is easy!

cyclonebri1

Furts wrote: »

An upper floor of B+B requires design and thought. Like how to attach the plasterboard ceiling? Hangers are available to hold counter battens because the beams are pre-stressed so concerns here with drilling and shot firing fixings - a no go area generally. Then there is the weight - should not be bearing on typical insulation blocks. Then the stability when building - if not careful the walls can be hit over. Services are another area to be designed - it is not like drilling or notching a timber joist.

I trust your farmer friend has these points and others all weighed up!

!Builders go for timber because it is easy!??"

Builders go for timber because it,s easy????, builders go for anything that's easy, :D:D


Yes his build was "weighed up" Services were run within the beam base.

Lightweight bonded ceilings were then applied, (please don't quiz me on that. I just understand the suspended ceiling is chemically bonded to the upper floor beams??