Attic Conversion

will1212

Hello guys

I'm looking into converting my attic into a habitable space. Now I understand there's a few regulations I have to stick to but there's one I just can't get my head around.

Now I understand there must be a fire door to stop the spread of fire to the attic, but does that mean the main stair case in the house I have to put up walls and fire door. Or put walls and fire door on the stair case leading to the attic room.

I would appreciate any and all help.

Thanks guys

Gumbo

will1212 wrote: »

Hello guys

I'm looking into converting my attic into a habitable space. Now I understand there's a few regulations I have to stick to but there's one I just can't get my head around.

Now I understand there must be a fire door to stop the spread of fire to the attic, but does that mean the main stair case in the house I have to put up walls and fire door. Or put walls and fire door on the stair case leading to the attic room.

I would appreciate any and all help.

Thanks guys

The Fire Door is not there to stop fire getting into the attic, its there to keep the escape route down through the house clear of smoke and fire for sufficient amount of time as to allow the rest of the house to escape.

You have 2 options here, you can place a new stairs from the existing landing up to a new landing at attic level, and put the fire door there, or you can put the fire door at the existing landing level which opens to the new stairs and then no door up at attic level.

Bear in mind that the new walls up the attic need to be 30 minute fire rated construction, the attic floor needs to be a modified 30 minute fire floor and that self closing devices need to be fitted to every other habitable room door that opens onto the stair core.

You also need to extend the smoke detection system up to the attic level and have at least one window in the attic bedroom that complies with means of escape windows in TGD Part B (Fire Safety).

Calahonda52

OP, before the smoke gets in my eyes, will the new attic make it a two storey or 3 story house?
http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad%2C1657%2Cen.pdf

which you may have

Scruff

Regarding "habitable Space" guidelines in ventilation req part F, if you do not meet the guideline on 50% roof height above 1.5m must be at least 2.4m will you not get planning approval for a habitable conversion?

/edit i can move this out to a new thread in Construction and Planning parent forum if its not the right place for this qustion

BryanF

Scruff wrote: »

Regarding "habitable Space" guidelines in ventilation req part F, if you do not meet the guideline on 50% roof height above 1.5m must be at least 2.4m will you not get planning approval for a habitable conversion?

/edit i can move this out to a new thread in Construction and Planning parent forum if its not the right place for this qustion

Planning has little to do with building regulations

You apply for planning for the conversion
You comply with the building regulations to ensure the conversion is deemed habitable

SCOL

I also looking at converting my attic. As the moment I have it sheeted with 8 x 4 chip board. I assume this is not good enough what's
the standard 30 min fire rate flooring and walls made up of ?

Calahonda52

SCOL wrote: »

I also looking at converting my attic. As the moment I have it sheeted with 8 x 4 chip board. I assume this is not good enough what's
the standard 30 min fire rate flooring and walls made up of ?

http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad%2C1657%2Cen.pdf

ilovepizza

Hey guys, sorry for intruded, but as there are some experienced guys here, id like to ask for similar advise.
Just bought a house and the atttic is converted fully, the height is over 2 metres, but just less than legal minimum for room.

Never the less, we want to put a stairs case to it, to make the room more practical for for visitors to stay.
are there any implications to this.? do i need planning permission.
If i was to sell the house in the future will this give any problems.

Thanks
Nick

Gumbo

ilovepizza wrote: »

Hey guys, sorry for intruded, but as there are some experienced guys here, id like to ask for similar advise.
Just bought a house and the atttic is converted fully, the height is over 2 metres, but just less than legal minimum for room.

Never the less, we want to put a stairs case to it, to make the room more practical for for visitors to stay.
are there any implications to this.? do i need planning permission.
If i was to sell the house in the future will this give any problems.

Thanks
Nick

are the fire provisions up to standard?
structural floor in place and any alterations to the roof engineered?
fire doors
smoke detection
means of escape

http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad%2C1657%2Cen.pdf

ilovepizza

ok lets forget it will be used as a bedroom, its more gonna be a hangout spot and storage etc. Im assuming the floor is structural enough as there is a supporting double brick wall under the middle of the floor, thats supporting the beams running across it.
smoke detection can be installed. there is also a small velux window there already, so in theory there is a way of escape (enough to put my mind at ease)

Are there planning restrictions to putting a stairs up to make the conversion more practical and if we where to sell the house int he future, would be ok saying its a storage room/loft

sydthebeat

ilovepizza wrote: »

Hey guys, sorry for intruded, but as there are some experienced guys here, id like to ask for similar advise.
Just bought a house and the atttic is converted fully, the height is over 2 metres, but just less than legal minimum for room.

Never the less, we want to put a stairs case to it, to make the room more practical for for visitors to stay.
are there any implications to this.? do i need planning permission.
If i was to sell the house in the future will this give any problems.

Thanks
Nick

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057811585

read the above thread and see what problems can arise

Gumbo

ilovepizza wrote: »

ok lets forget it will be used as a bedroom, its more gonna be a hangout spot and storage etc. Im assuming the floor is structural enough as there is a supporting double brick wall under the middle of the floor, thats supporting the beams running across it.
smoke detection can be installed. there is also a small velux window there already, so in theory there is a way of escape (enough to put my mind at ease)

Are there planning restrictions to putting a stairs up to make the conversion more practical and if we where to sell the house int he future, would be ok saying its a storage room/loft

No. Even for storage you need the floor to be structurally upgraded and the fire resistance as the permanent stairs requires sign off. Yes you will have trouble selling without a cert and a cert cannot be given without the above upgrades.

lunamia

Hi all,
I'm thinking to convert my attic, 3 bed house, 55 square m per floor.

I'm wondering if there's any restriction about installing a real open fireplace to a converted attic.

Many thanks!

BryanF

lunamia wrote: »

Hi all,
I'm thinking to convert my attic, 3 bed house, 55 square m per floor.

I'm wondering if there's any restriction about installing a real open fireplace to a converted attic.

Many thanks!

No specific restriction

Obviously you’ll be complying with building regulations and planning permissions etc. so your arch will advise during the design, permitting, tender and construction stages.

Gumbo

lunamia wrote: »

Hi all,
I'm thinking to convert my attic, 3 bed house, 55 square m per floor.

I'm wondering if there's any restriction about installing a real open fireplace to a converted attic.

Many thanks!

Have you got an existing chimney breast that passes through the attic space?
Your engineer will want the floor designed correctly, you’ll have fire safety precautions to adhere to along with ventilation and carbon monoxide.

lunamia

kceire wrote: »

Have you got an existing chimney breast that passes through the attic space?
Your engineer will want the floor designed correctly, you’ll have fire safety precautions to adhere to along with ventilation and carbon monoxide.

Thanks to you and BryanF for replying!

Actually there's no chimney at all at the moment, so the only one fireplace will be installed in the attic.

I know about all the fire regulations, let's see what the architect will say!

Which are the prices (roughly) for a 3 bed attic converted (55sq m the normal floors). I just need one room for the fireplace and maybe just a large sink to help if I want to barbecue into the fireplace...

Gumbo

lunamia wrote: »

Thanks to you and BryanF for replying!

Actually there's no chimney at all at the moment, so the only one fireplace will be installed in the attic.

I know about all the fire regulations, let's see what the architect will say!

Which are the prices (roughly) for a 3 bed attic converted (55sq m the normal floors). I just need one room for the fireplace and maybe just a large sink to help if I want to barbecue into the fireplace...

What will you build this fireplace from?
What will support it at floor level?

You may have to build a breast all the way down to ground floor level and construct foundations to support.
My opinion would be that it’s a non runner.

BryanF

I doubt it’ll be 55m2. Come in from the eaves until you’ve a height of say 1.2M

Would you consider a stove with a plate on top for cooking? Fire places went out with the last century.

Gumbo

BryanF wrote: »

I doubt it’ll be 55m2. Come in from the eaves until you’ve a height of say 1.2M

Would you consider a stove with a plate on top for cooking? Fire places went out with the last century.

Feck you Bryan I only put in a new fire place last month