Which volume of Approved Document B should I use when dealing with fire precautions in Self Catering Holiday Homes?

In many cases, premises which are similar to a family home can be designed in accordance with Volume 1 (Dwelling houses). However, such premises are subject to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and it may be necessary to take account of the duties imposed under that Order in the design of the premises.

The Department’s leaflet, Do You Have Paying Guests? provides some useful guidance on the application of the Fire Safety Order to B&Bs, guest houses and self-catering properties. Regardless of the design guidance that is adopted, it will still be necessary for Building Control Bodies to consult with Fire and Rescue Authorities on work relating to buildings where the Fire Safety Order is (or will be) applicable. This should ensure that any potential problems can be identified before building work is started.

Further guidance on the consultation process is given in the Department’s publication, Building Regulations and Fire Safety Procedural Guidance.

Can a conservatory be erected on top of a first floor extension?

It is possible to build a conservatory on top of an extension provided: -Local Authority Planning Permission has been granted – Local Authority Building Control are content with respect to all the relevant parts of the Building Regulations. Conservatories at first-floor level are not exempt from the Building Regulations.

What needs to be done to create a basement in an existing or new house?

Basements require both Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval whether constructed as part of a new property or as a retrofit to an existing property. You will need to consult your Local Authority Planning and Building Control offices
The Basement Information Centre publishes a useful industry guide ‘Basements for dwellings’ on basement design and construction and they can be contacted at the following address:
The Basement Information Centre
Riverside House
4. Meadows Business Park
Station Approach
Blackwater
Camberley
Surrey
GU17 9AB
www.basements.org.uk

Timber sizes for floor joists – Where can I obtain the timber sizes for floor joists and roofing members that are no longer directly contained in the current version of Approved Document A?

This information is contained in the guidance document published by the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA) titled: – ‘Span tables for solid timber members in floors, ceilings and roofs (excluding trussed rafter roofs) for dwellings’, obtainable from:

TRADA Technology Ltd,
Chiltern House
Stocking Lane
Hughenden Valley
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP14 4ND

Or alternatively technical guidance is given in British Standard BS 8103 Part 3 2009 ‘Structural design of low-rise buildings – Code of practice for timber floors and roofs for housing’, obtainable from:

British Standards Institution
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL

17) How do I go about applying for Building Regulations Consent in retrospect?

“I have recently moved into a three-bedroom house which has had a loft room constructed. Building Regulations Consent was not obtained before doing this work though we are informed that the works conform to the required standards. How do I go about applying for Building Regulations Consent in retrospect? I know that planning permission was not required.
You will need to contact your local authority Building Control office and apply for a Regularisation Certification for this ‘unauthorised building work’. This could be very disruptive as some of the covered building work may need to be exposed, e.g. to verify the size of a steel beam or the spacing and size of floor joists.”

15) What is the Party Wall Act?

“Some kinds of work carried out to a property may not be building work that is controlled by the Building Regulations but may be work covered by the rules about the Party Wall.
Put simply, the Party Wall is the dividing wall or partition between two properties which is shared by the owners or tenants of each side.
The Party Wall Act introduced a procedure for dealing with disputes between owners of neighbouring properties.
There will be some cases where both the Party Wall Act and the Building Regulations will apply to work being carried out.
You must find out whether work you intend to carry out will be affected by the Party Wall rules.”

14) What if you find an issue after the job is signed off?

“The process of plan checking and subsequent number of site inspections will never guarantee fully compliant buildings but on the whole it ensures a high proportion of building works meets the high standards we have in the UK.
The Building Regulations are not a substitute for a Clerk of Works and in any case generally concerned with the bigger picture being health and safety in and around buildings. You should have a formal contract with a reputable contractor and in the absence of your own knowledge hire a designer or architect to provide quality construction plans for your contractor to build to – doing none of this and simply choosing a contractor based on the lowest price could mean problems during and even after the building works.”

13) Invoicing

Our accountants reconcile the invoices once a month. If you want a remittance of your payment contact the office.