Attic Room Regulations

Superdude · 14 Jul 2006 at 17:45

We have just recently had our attic boarded out and a retractable ladder fitted and now I have lots of space to set up that dream scalelectrics track

Anyway are there any serious regulations I should be aware of? The space is only being used as half storage, half mans area

Coolasmoo · 14 Jul 2006 at 18:03

As far as im aware, there are no regulations to follow as long as the space is used as storage.

R.O.S.S.I · 14 Jul 2006 at 18:54

We've done exactly the same, and its used as a bedroom.

Ak!ta · 14 Jul 2006 at 19:03

There are a lot of regulations concerning this. However unless the regulations are followed, then legally it's still only classed as an attic (all be it a floored one), not a loft coversion. The only thing to watch out for is your house insurance, with regard to fire and electrical safety ?

Coolasmoo · 14 Jul 2006 at 21:11

CDj-Rossi said:
We've done exactly the same, and its used as a bedroom.

If you ever need to sell the property on, without building regs you will have to say its storage only.

AJUK · 14 Jul 2006 at 21:49

If the room is habitable (i.e. a bedroom or living room) then there are lots of regulations applicable. Most importantly Approved Document B of the Building Regulations : Fire Safety. Contravention of this regulation is a criminal offence and punishable by a prison term of which ignorance is no defence. A suitable means of escape in the event of a fire should be provided for all occupants of the building from all floors without passing through a room. Therefore, a protected corridor needs to be provided from the attic and all floors below right down to the exit. This is usually acheived by fire doors and walls around the stairs.

The second factor that needs to be addressed is the structural performance of the attic floor and roof structure. Light domestic storage is one thing, you and eight of your fat mates getting excited over Scalextric is another loading scenario all together.

I strongly suggest that you get a local structural engineer to look into these aspects to ensure that your attic is suitable for the purpose you intend to use it for. An architectural consultant should also be consulted with regard to the fire regulations.

If you think that all this isn't worth it, think again. People die everyday in housefires in well designed houses that comply with the building regulations. You do not stand a chance should the unthinkable happen in a house that doesn't comply.