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Attic conversion

  • 29-02-2016 5:53pm
    #1
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi lads.

    Do you need planning permission too convert an attick? I'd ideally like at least 1 velux window if not 2 also fitted would these require planning?
    Thanks in advance


Comments

  • #2
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,691 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    MrMac84 wrote: »
    Hi lads.

    Do you need planning permission too convert an attick? I'd ideally like at least 1 velux window if not 2 also fitted would these require planning?
    Thanks in advance

    Planning is only required if you want to put the velux to the front.

    Bear in mind the strict regulations with regards to structure and fire safety in attic conversions.


  • #3
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭hufpc8w3adnk65


    kceire wrote: »
    Planning is only required if you want to put the velux to the front.

    Bear in mind the strict regulations with regards to structure and fire safety in attic conversions.

    Well I wouldn't be doing it my self I'd be getting a builder too do it(but what are the main regulations?). That's good about the velux as I'd like too put at least one in. In a two story building and the attick been the third story it won't be class as a livable space without two escape routes I belive, is this correct?


  • #4
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,691 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    MrMac84 wrote: »
    Well I wouldn't be doing it my self I'd be getting a builder too do it(but what are the main regulations?). That's good about the velux as I'd like too put at least one in. In a two story building and the attick been the third story it won't be class as a livable space without two escape routes I belive, is this correct?

    Incorrect.
    Your attic can be classed as a bedroom if it meets the requirements of the Building Regulations.

    Part A
    Part B
    Part F
    Part L

    And any other that's required.
    Basically a new structural floor, modified to give 30 minutes fire rating (this is required whether a it's habitable or storage). Fixed stair case. Fire door at the top or bottom of that stairs. At least one escapable velux window in the attic space. Retrofit self closers to all other doors to habitable rooms in the house.

    Most of these are required for storage or habitable, the fixed staircase just determines if it is accessible and if it is accessible then it needs to meet all the regulations as above.


  • #5
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭hufpc8w3adnk65


    kceire wrote: »
    Incorrect.
    Your attic can be classed as a bedroom if it meets the requirements of the Building Regulations.

    Part A
    Part B
    Part F
    Part L

    And any other that's required.
    Basically a new structural floor, modified to give 30 minutes fire rating (this is required whether a it's habitable or storage). Fixed stair case. Fire door at the top or bottom of that stairs. At least one escapable velux window in the attic space. Retrofit self closers to all other doors to habitable rooms in the house.

    Most of these are required for storage or habitable, the fixed staircase just determines if it is accessible and if it is accessible then it needs to meet all the regulations as above.
    There will be a door at the bottom or top of the fixed stair case and escape velux but I may not meet the 8 foot ceiling height. The correct fire rated timbers,floors doors and slabs are something I will be doing no matter what. As well as mains operated smokies all interlinked in the crawl spaces aswell as the converted attick area and stair well. I wouldn't cut cornors there it'll be done too code I'm only looking for information here so I'll have an idea before speaking with builders


  • #6
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,691 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    MrMac84 wrote: »
    There will be a door at the bottom or top of the fixed stair case and escape velux but I may not meet the 8 foot ceiling height. The correct fire rated timbers,floors doors and slabs are something I will be doing no matter what. As well as mains operated smokies all interlinked in the crawl spaces aswell as the converted attick area and stair well. I wouldn't cut cornors there it'll be done too code I'm only looking for information here so I'll have an idea before speaking with builders

    The 2.4m head height is only a suggested head height under Part F of the building regulations. The room height varies from person to person in my opinion. For example, a 2.1m high room might be fine for me but not for someone that's 6 foot 6 if you get me.


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  • #7
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭hufpc8w3adnk65


    kceire wrote: »
    The 2.4m head height is only a suggested head height under Part F of the building regulations. The room height varies from person to person in my opinion. For example, a 2.1m high room might be fine for me but not for someone that's 6 foot 6 if you get me.
    Well it'll only be used as a bedroom/playroom for the kids. Thanks for the info. Any other tips on what I should ensure too get done by the builder or tips on making the most of the space?


  • #8
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,691 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    MrMac84 wrote: »
    Well it'll only be used as a bedroom/playroom for the kids. Thanks for the info. Any other tips on what I should ensure too get done by the builder or tips on making the most of the space?

    plumbed for bathroom, even if you don't do it now.
    maybe plumbed for solar panels for the future?


  • #9
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    Correct air-tightness, roof ventilation, room ventilation & insulation

    Your putting a lot of trust/risk straight on the builder, will the builder accept this? Should N eng/arch be providing drawings?


  • #10
    bemak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 909 ✭✭✭bemak


    If it's a two storey currently and you're converting the attic you'll need to have self closing doors everywhere and I think you may need to enclose the existing staircase. Regulations are fairly strict on this.


  • #11
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,691 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    bemak wrote: »
    If it's a two storey currently and you're converting the attic you'll need to have self closing doors everywhere and I think you may need to enclose the existing staircase. Regulations are fairly strict on this.

    He can retrofit self closers to the existing doors to habitable rooms only as per my previous post.
    Protected shaft to final exit, is preferred but in a loft conversion may not be possible so TGD Part B asks for the self closers to make the existing shaft as escapable as possible. The new vertical shaft from 1st floor to the attic will be 30 min fire rated construction and truth be told, most existing wall build ups will meet thos if done to a half decent standard.

    I'd be more worried about advanced warning of fire, so interlinked smoke detection and an escapable window/velux in the attic room is a life saver.


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  • #12
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭hufpc8w3adnk65


    kceire wrote: »

    I'd be more worried about advanced warning of fire, so interlinked smoke detection and an escapable window/velux in the attic room is a life saver.

    The velux is something I think (in my non expert opinion) is very important aswell hence why I asked did it need planning permission. As I said above I'll have 3 mains operated interlinked smoke detectors in the attick 1 in the new room area in the middle of the ceiling, 1 in each crawl space in the center of the pitched roof screwed too the timber roof joist. I will have 1 in the new stair well/landing area rising too the attick room, and also 1maybe 2 even in the new hallway/old landing leading too the new stairs.

    The way my house is laid out I'll be making 1 bedroom a bit smaller so as too have a hallway leading too the stairs too the attick.

    Would Ye lads have a door at the bottom of the new stairs or at the top leading into the attick room or both?


  • #13
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,691 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Personally speaking, at the top would be my preference subject to space etc.


  • #14
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭hufpc8w3adnk65


    kceire wrote: »
    plumbed for bathroom, even if you don't do it now.
    maybe plumbed for solar panels for the future?

    The hotpress with the gas boiler and copper cylinder are both on the first floor and will easyily be accessible from the crawl space in the attick as will the roof so this is something that ( I imagine) could be fitted afterwards without too much trouble as all the areas they need too tie into are local ??


  • #15
    bemak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 909 ✭✭✭bemak


    dont forget, with Velux's there are minimum requirements on positioning in the roof as well as in relation to the room for escape. Was trying to post a link to a very useful document last night but was on the phone, didn't seem to work.

    here it is now. (note this is just guidance and not a checklist):

    http://www.loftstyle.ie/assets/pdf/ref[1].pdf


  • #16
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭hufpc8w3adnk65


    bemak wrote: »
    dont forget, with Velux's there are minimum requirements on positioning in the roof as well as in relation to the room for escape. Was trying to post a link to a very useful document last night but was on the phone, didn't seem to work.

    here it is now. (note this is just guidance and not a checklist):

    http://www.loftstyle.ie/assets/pdf/ref[1].pdf

    Thanks for that info. The builder who'll be doing my one will be doing an identical house too mine before he's starts my house so I'll be able too keep an eye on that job (it's my cousins house) as it progress's but having this info is great lads!


  • #17
    bemak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 909 ✭✭✭bemak


    MrMac84 wrote: »
    The hotpress with the gas boiler and copper cylinder are both on the first floor and will easyily be accessible from the crawl space in the attick as will the roof so this is something that ( I imagine) could be fitted afterwards without too much trouble as all the areas they need too tie into are local ??

    have you seen the size of the storage tanks for solar panels though. Different gravy!


  • #18
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭hufpc8w3adnk65


    bemak wrote: »
    have you seen the size of the storage tanks for solar panels though. Different gravy!

    No I can't say I have. Whilst solar panels are something I'd like too have down the line right now the extra space in the attick is more important too us.


  • #19
    bemak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 909 ✭✭✭bemak


    MrMac84 wrote: »
    No I can't say I have. Whilst solar panels are something I'd like too have down the line right now the extra space in the attick is more important too us.

    of course. just bear in mind its not something that can just squeeze into a corner somewhere when you do


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