Wall removal.fire regulations.

[Donald_diy]

8Hi all,thank you for the previous help.

Were looking at buying a terraced property,the ftont door to the street opens into the lounge and the stairs up to 1st floor.
The kitchen is behind the lounge and acessed via a door.only 2 rooms on ground floor.
Is it ok to remove the dividing wall ?. Iirc there is something re fire regulations.

Eventually we would have a loft conversion but in 5 or 6 years later.

Edit.2 bedrooms & bathroom on second floor.

Ta again.

 

[tony1851]

You can have open plan for two-storey house, but if you add a loft conversion, the stairs would need to be enclosed (or fit sprinklers).

 

[Danrfd]

Hi, I have a very similar question so thought I'd add it here instead of in a new thread. We have standard Victorian terrace layout, two reception rooms then small kitchen in the gable. Upstairs are two bedrooms and bathroom plus possible future loft conversion. We are considering removing all internal walls on the ground floor and opening up the stairs. We would also be adding patio doors to the dining room so there are in effect 3 exits to the outside from ground floor. Does anyone know if this is ok with building regs?

Cheers

 

[tony1851]

Open-plan downstairs OK for two-storey house, but with a second storey added, there must be a protected route to a ground floor exit.
But OK with open plan if sprinklers are fitted - (which are now mandatory in Wales).

 

[lt8480]

Open plan is fine in a 2 storey (without protected stairs) but still subject to meeting other requirements such as windows to bedrooms you can escape from.

That is assuming it is a typical storey height on a flat site too - as the rules are technically heights, not storeys.