Open plan apartment

LiamoSail

I live in a small 2 bed apartment, and wanted to question, in terms of building/fire regs, if I could make the whole place open plan?

Essentially I'd like to knock the walls at the kitchen and hall, so that there is no hall as you enter the apartment, just one big area consisting of my kitchen and living room, with the bathroom and bedrooms being accessed directly from this bigger living room, much like on TV shows such as Friends.

Is this allowed, or is there something obvious I'm missing in not wanting a hallway? Appreciate any thoughts

B-D-P--

Probably missing the fact that there could be load bearing walls, knock them and your in trouble.

LiamoSail

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Probably missing the fact that there could be load bearing walls, knock them and your in trouble.

Yea I understand that and obviously would have that checked out prior to doing anything. I just wanted to check if, theoretically, it's possible within the scope of current regs

BryanF

Check with management company and get copy of the fire cert. then employ an arch/Eng with PI cover to offer you an opinion on whether the alterations would contravene current fire / building regs

LiamoSail

BryanF wrote: »

Check with management company and get copy of the fire cert. then employ an arch/Eng with PI cover to offer you an opinion on whether the alterations would contravene current fire / building regs

I intend going down that route alright should it be feesible, I just wanted to get an idea as to whether the notion of getting rid of your hall would be allowed. The fact every apartment in Ireland seems to have one would suggest not

listermint

Of course its allowed providing the Management company are happy with it and it complies with the fire regulations.

None of which will be cheap to check or comply with. As above sound advice from everyone but its a bit of a how long is a length of string as no on is on the management board nor knows the regulations for your specific building.

BryanF

LiamoSail wrote: »

I intend going down that route alright should it be feesible, I just wanted to get an idea as to whether the notion of getting rid of your hall would be allowed. The fact every apartment in Ireland seems to have one would suggest not

You may be obliged to keep a small lobby, depending on Fire saftey cert.

LiamoSail

Thanks for the replies. Food for thought anyway, will see about getting someone in to consult

listermint

BryanF wrote: »

You may be obliged to keep a small lobby, depending on Fire saftey cert.

Was just thinking this, x2 Fire doors between Kitchen area and common areas.

Gumbo

The small hallway is a protected hallway.
My opinion is that you will not be allowed to remove this under the current fire safety Cert.

I don't think you could even apply for it to be removed.

civdef

Protected entrance hall within an apartment is generally required here because there is a single stair with apartments directly accessed off it.
The protected entrance hall is intended to provide additional protection to the common escape stair from a fire in an individual apartment.

One possible alternative solution is to provide sprinklers in the apartment, in any case this would be a material alteration requiring a fire cert, you'd need to be talking to an architect or fire consultant well versed with BS9991.

Gumbo

civdef wrote: »

Protected entrance hall within an apartment is generally required here because there is a single stair with apartments directly accessed off it.
The protected entrance hall is intended to provide additional protection to the common escape stair from a fire in an individual apartment.

One possible alternative solution is to provide sprinklers in the apartment, in any case this would be a material alteration requiring a fire cert, you'd need to be talking to an architect or fire consultant well versed with BS9991.

And on that note. Experienced my first apartment development last week with a sprinkler system fitted internally. My first domestic sprinkler set up.

Checking design densities, flow rates etc
Would like to see this set up continue into all multi unit developments, if even only to common and escape areas.

civdef

Yeah they offer a very considerable benefit for apartments in my view. ADB and 9991 recognise this with concessions allowable when they're installed.

I got what I think might have been the first domestic sprinkler installation in apartments in this country approved about 10 years ago, the buildings are still standing anyway!