Regularisation of loft conversion

southwales1

Were fire doors a requirement under building regs prior to 2004?

I have recently bought a house which didn't have building regs for a loft room. It has proper stairs, but no fire doors and was completed prior to 2004 [says the old owners]. I have proof that the conversion was definitely already there in 2014 as planning permission documents that were obtained for an extension in 2014 are on the council's website. So I can prove that the loft has been converted since before that date. 

I want to regularise the building control and am happy to expose beams and floors to ensure that the work was carried out safely. However I have been told I will have to put fire doors on every room.  It seems unfair to make an old conversion applicable to today's standards and the door frames will not fit a standard door, so I would have to pay an extortionate amount for bespoke fire doors. I'm fine with putting in smoke detectors and other safety features applicable to today's standards.

Doozergirl

Yes, there was a requirement before 2004.  Not sure when it came in, but there was a stricter requirement for fire doors with self closing devices on before the current regs which were in place 'around' 2004 and removed the requirement for the self closers.  

user1977

southwales1 said:

I want to regularise the building control...

It seems unfair to make an old conversion applicable to today's standards 

Well, those contradict each other - if you want to regularise it, that means bringing it up to current standards. You are of course free to make whatever improvements you want, which won't necessarily tick all the boxes.

I presume the rest of the house doesn't comply with current building regulations either?

Ramouth

You may be able to upgrade the existing doors using a fire paint or paper system.  We used envirograph (or similar - I’m not great at spelling!).

Don’t forget that building regs are for your safety not just a box ticking exercise as many seem to think.

Swipe

Ramouth said:

Don’t forget that building regs are for your safety not just a box ticking exercise as many seem to think.

Pull the other one 

canaldumidi

You are focussing on the wrong issue (in my opinion). 'Regularising' is pointless. Building Control cannot enforce Building Regs after 12 months have passed, so whether they were, or weren't a requirement really does not matter now.

What matters is how safe you feel!

If you feel that fire doors would make you /your family / visitors safer, then fit fire doors (and insulation or any other upgrades you deem desirable).

If you aren't that concerned and feel confident you could get out if there were a fire/whatever, then leave well alone - certainly no point opening that can of red tape-worms unless it benefits you.

sheramber

Check whether lack of fire doors would negate any claim for fire damage.

canaldumidi

sheramber said:

Check whether lack of fire doors would negate any claim for fire damage.

It wouldn't. Unless the policy application form asked: "Does the property have fire doors?" and you lied, but I've never seen that question.