Building regs for new toilet

travel_freak

Hello,

I would like to put in a new downstairs toilet.

I had several different builders round to quote on Saturday (for this and other works) and I'm waiting to receive their quotes but they all told me different things - some said building regs is required others said it isn't.

I have two options for the location of the toilet, either under the stairs, which would involve running the waste pipe under the kitchen floor and out to the existing waste pipe which takes waste from the toilet in the bathroom upstairs. I was told that building regs wouldn't be required for this and this builder said he would simply add a new manhole cover so that it could be "rodded" if needed. The other potential problem here is there is a gas meter under the stairs and I wasn't sure if I would be required to move this. One builder said I would, another said it could stay but be boxed in.

The alternative option is that there is an outbuilding on the back of the house where there used to be an outside toilet. I was thinking about reinstating that toilet and making an entrance from what is the breakfast room into that area. One builder said that building regs would require a lobby area and two doors separating the toilet from the kitchen/breakfast room area which is a problem because space is tight.

Another builder said that the lobby and two door rule no longer applies so long as you have an extractor fan.

So I'm v. confused now. Please does anyone know which information is correct?

Many thanks.

Regards,

real1314

The 2 door rule went years ago!

it was based on the pre-victorian fallacy that germs and diseases from human waste, like typhoid, could be transmitted though the air (or miasma).

the idea was that 2 doors would stop this. however all it really does is spread the germs of those who don;t wash their hands onto an extra set of door handles.

it might be better to do a couple of quick sketches of what you're thinking of, and popping into the local council planning office for a bit of free and unbiased advice. Otherwise you may end up paying extra for work to meet regs that are not relevant.

travel_freak

Hi real1314

Many thanks for your helpful reply - it's alarming that there are builders who are so out of date with the rules and regs considering this is their specialism!

Your suggestion is a good one and I think I'll make some time to pop into the Council to try to get some correct advice.

Thanks again.

Kind regards

Canucklehead

Good morning: You can find further details on building regulations here...

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/hhg/houseguide.html

HTH

Canucklehead