Building Regs on having door on WC that leads into utility room?

TDA10

Hi there,

Just had an extension finished which amongst other things has a utility room with a very small WC coming off it (i.e to get to the loo you go into the utility room).

The util has its own door (from the kitchen) but as yet the WC hasn't got a door on it - just the door lining. I haven't had the final work signed off yet as there are some other bits to do, but I wonder if any of you can tell me whether I legally have to have a door on the W.C?

I presumed that all openings had to have doors for fire reasons (Although it's not likely that the loo would catch fire I hope!) but before I hack away at the new door I've got ready to fit I thought best to get the advice of you clever folk!

If it's not necessary then I won't bother. I could of course fit one and remove it after inspection, but I just hoped to avoid having to do that so I can return the door for a refund instead. (door from B&Q - got the receipt)

As I said, it's very a small WC and the door would have to open outwards into the util room, which would be a bit tight for space, but feasible. There isn't room for a bi-fold door - I've thought of that already!

There is only me, my OH and our small daughter living at home and any (rare!) guests would obviously make us aware that they wanted the loo so all they would have to do is shut the util door for privacy. I could easily fit a small bolt on the util door if ness.

Any thoughts on this, guys? Thanks

BobProperty

Without seeing plans or the like I have to guess at "probably" it's OK not to have a door. The days of a separating lobby have been superseded by the use of extractor fans.

ormus

i dont know if the regs have changed recently re the wc doors, but it was always that you needed 2 doors between the wc and the kitchen.

in practice you could install a door just to satisfy any inspector, and then remove it.
have you got room for a sliding door?

TDA10

Thanks so far guys - Ormus, there isn't room for a sliding door unfortunately - it would collide with the rad in the utility room.

S'pose the best idea is to phone the BC dept but I hope they aren't as snotty and useless as they have been before on the phone! :rolleyes:

Thanks again - any other advice welcomed

Mesopotania

I think you're fine and you don't need a door - the 2 doors thing mentioned above is not true. Phone the inspector up to double check

Canucklehead

Good morning: See Part G Buildings Regs Section 1 SS 1.2... http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADG_1992.pdf

I would ask your builder/architect if Part M (Access and Use of Buildings) has any implications for the toilet in your new extension.


HTH

Canucklehead

emmy05

yes as far as i know, its 2 doors, xx

designermatt_2

No you don't need a door on it. Depending on your layout and the presence of escape windows it may even be better without one anyway. (inner rooms). A utility room requires a 30ltr/sec mechanical extract and a WC 6ltr/sec so the utility will take preference. The two door rule went along time ago, but you DO need a wash hand basin. This can just as easily be the sink in the utility room. WHen calling it whatever rooms I would be more inclined to call it a WC with washing machine facilities rather than the other way round

vansboy

Similar Q here, sort of.

If I wanted to create a utility room in the garage, together with a toilet, what do I need to consider doing, to accomodate rules n regs?


Would I need to start thinking of insulating it, as if it were a 'habitable room, as this would reduce the size available.

Thanks in advance.

VB

designermatt_2

Yes you owuld need to insulate it. As it is an existing structure you would need to provide a 'U' Value of 0.35 to the walls and 0.25 for the floor (this may be allowed to be lower depending on the relative levels of your floor. Your roof if flat would need to be 0.25 and you may need to consider ventilating it depending on its type etc. You would need to provide a mechanical extract fan to your utility at a rate of 30ltrs/sec and one toyour wc od 6ltrs/sec, if there would be no window in the w/c you would need to provide a 10mm gap under the door or a grill within the door to avoid negative pressure build up. If you are intending to have a door through to your garage you would need to have a threshold of a min. of 100mm between the habitable accomodation and your garage. You would need to make a Building Regulations application and provide a Part P certificate for the electriccs.

TDA10

Thanks for all the replies - just for an update FYI, I rang the BC dept and the guy said that yes you are really supposed to have a door, but there might be room for negotiation depending on the Building Inspector who comes out to sign it off!

So, basically if the B.I. has fallen out of bed the wrong way then you've had it!

So, I'm still unsure of the 100% answer! I'll report back once the final inspection has happened which won't be for a couple of weeks or so. :rolleyes: