Loft conversion

[HarryLewth]

Hi everyone i'm new on here,
I am currently converting my loft into a new bedroom and en-suite and i'm looking for some advice with regards to getting the conversion passed to building regulations. I have been told that you can get parts cleared by independent inspectors, is this the case?? I am having problems with fire regulations and the escape route from the loft space.
I live in a early 1900's property in Dorset if that is any help to anyone.
Any advice and help would be greatly appreciated

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Try and be more specific with your question(s). There are private inspectors. Fire regs for loft conversions are pretty straight forward tbh, what exactly are you asking?

 

[HarryLewth]

My issue is with the escape route from the attic to the front door of my property, I have a dinning room that is open to the stairs and have been told I need to either close this off with a partition or put a sprinkler system into that area. What bothers me is that if I was not doing the conversion the issue would still be there but wouldn't be a problem

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

The reason is that in the event of a fire you could easily escape from a first floor window or be rescued from one and even if you jumped onto concrete you'll end up with maybe a broken pelvis or whatever, jumping out of a loft level window is likely to be a hell of a lot more risky as well as being more difficult to aid rescue. Therefore you need that escape route. Should a fire start in the dinning room the whole stairwell is gonna be flooded with smoke. The Regs are pretty straightforward. You won't get around it, fire is one section of the regs BC don't tend to negotiate much on.

You're pretty lucky BC will accept sprinklers tbh, some do not.

A private inspector will be the same.

 

[HarryLewth]

Could you not use a 1st floor window to escape then?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

To get from the loft level to a first floor window you're gonna have to enter your first floor hallway which will be full of smoke.