Changing the Hallway into a WC??

[SkipFeeney]

Hi all,

I have moved into a 1950s Semi and with two young kids would really like a toilet downstairs.

Is it permissible to block off a hallway at all and install a WC? We don't currently use the hallway anyway, and plan to make the other rooms open plan. See below for idea - :

Hallway Plans

• SkipFeeney
• 24 Feb 2014
• 1

I am not sure if this is allowed in case of a fire? Although there would still be two accessible exits and some new houses are setup like this? (there are no problems connecting to soil stack - it is accessible, and i understand we would need an outside extractor etc)

Thanks

 

[tony1851]

That arrangement is perfectly acceptable.

 

[Ricardus]

I belevie the applicable regs are : http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/bu...artb/bcapproveddocumentsb/bcapproveddocbvol1/

And the way I read that you should be okay from an emergency escape route angle (Disclaimer - I am not an architect / builder)

 

[mattylad]

Where is the soil pipe going to go?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

One assumes that some excavation will take place.

 

[SkipFeeney]

Thanks all - will Planning Permission or Building Control be required?

Soil pipe currently runs on the outside wall next to the stairs so can connect there

Thanks

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Thanks all - will Planning Permission or Building Control be required?

No and yes.

Soil pipe currently runs on the outside wall next to the stairs so can connect there

Thought about how far below ground it will be by the time it gets there?

 

[Ricardus]

Soil pipe currently runs on the outside wall next to the stairs so can connect there

Thought about how far below ground it will be by the time it gets there?

Raise the toilet!

 

[SkipFeeney]

Thanks all!

Once submitted, will the building inspector visit before the work starts? Don't really want to start only for them to come out and say no chance when its nearly finshed!

 

[tony1851]

Once submitted, will the building inspector visit before the work starts?

Almost certainly not.
He/she will visit once you've got everything installed. If it's wrong, it's your reponsibility to put it right. If you're not quite sure what you're doing, read up or get advice.

 

[SkipFeeney]

Thanks for all your help, one last question! How much detail would you go into for this submission?

I am guessing i will need to outline the following:

- Layout of room and exact measurements
- Plumbing - proposed soil stack connection
- Ventilation - proposed outlet fan
- Electrical - any electrical connections planned.

Thanks

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Don't really want to start only for them to come out and say no chance when its nearly finshed!

Surely you will be doing a full plans submission, and the plans will be drawn up by someone competent?

 

[tony1851]

For fitting a wc in, I would think that a Building Notice application would be more appropriate - if only to avoid the cost of having plans drawn.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Anybody (other than an experienced builder) who goes the Building Notice route is arguably certifiably insane.

It costs no less, and incurs risk. You'd have to be barmy to go for a risk:reward ratio > 1.


If someone is competent to design and construct drains etc, then there are no costs for drawing up plans - they can do that themselves. If they can't then I submit that they similarly cannot do the work.

 

[noseall]

Don't really want to start only for them to come out and say no chance when its nearly finshed!

Surely you will be doing a full plans submission, and the plans will be drawn up by someone competent?

Whilst i'm the first to spout about drawings, reg's and information forthcoming (especially on my own jobs), this sort of job is ideally suited for a building notice submission.

Let's not forget that you as a customer you will pay over the odds for a building notice but at the same time place the design criteria into the hands of building control.

They will babysit you (to a certain degree) through the stages but will also expect a certain level of competence from the installer.

It would not hurt to get an initial visit from b.c. to outline what they expect.
They may suggest a mini access chamber, an AAV, certainly a mechanical extractor and likely a swept bend as the pipe changes direction to vertical.

Otherwise go with a building notice. BC will expect questions and a bit of head scratching. That is what Building Notices were invented for.

Trust me, I've done both many times.