fire break in 1900s open loft Terrace

thebullsback

We need to have a fire barrier constructed between our house and adjoining neighbour.

I have heard I need to use the party wall act but would like to know what sort of access workers would need to my neighbour's property to carry out this work so I can explain it to them as they are quiet reclusive .

Thank you

stuart45

Is it going to be brick or studwork?

thebullsback

Stud work.

stuart45

They can get the materials up from your side. They will stand on next doors joists at some point for the work, so there is the possibility of some cracks appearing in the ceiling below.

thebullsback

so no need to enter property via front or back doors ? I ask because their house is in a state of disrepair and better if all work could be done in loft .

stuart45

If they are plaster boarding their side, they'll need to get out of the loft from their side.

WIAWSNB

If it can all be done from your side, ensuring the far side/studs are positioned just touching the invisible boundary line but not crossing it, then just get on with it.

And surely it can?

It's of no business of your neighb what you are building fully within your loft.

sheenas

I had one constructed years back. It was plasterboard and stud work. No access need to next door, but of course we informed them. While it's not stopping thieves it does help with insurance at there is no easy access to your property.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82176581#Comment_82176581

They also act as a firebreak.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82176328#Comment_82176328

And surely it can

Not if you want it to be effective.

If there's no plasterboard on the neighbour's side then the studwork won't be protected from fire and the studwork won't support the plasterboard on the OP's side if it burns through.

As stuart45 says, if there's plasterboard on the neighbour's side of the studs [as there should be] then at some point the worker(s) would need to exit the neighbour's loft through the neighbour's house.

It may be possible to contrive a complicated way to fix the last piece of plasterboard on the neighbour's side by glueing it in place with a suitable fire-rated adhesive, but as the worker(s) would need permission to go in the neighbour's loft anyway then it would be a lot of hassle to find a way of not going out through their house rather than just ask permission to exit that way. It can be made clear that access and all materials will go in via the OP's side, there will just be one worker (/with a ladder) to go out through the neighbour's house.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82176875#Comment_82176875

Or coat the studs in intumescent paint - would that work?

If the neighbs are somewhat 'reclusive', they may well also be a touch paranoid, and a simple task like this could end up being a real hassle.

Of course it's best to openly discuss such matters, but in some cases you could truly regret doing so.

Obvs the OP knows best re this, so looking at 'get on with it' solutions for him.