Thoughts on more open plan bungalow layout re: Fire safety regs?

dannyk214

Hi,

Looking for some opinion on a planned interior renovation. My wife and I have just bought our first home, a bungalow built in the late 70s. 

Plan:

It's trussed roof construction, cavity wall (already bead blown), and all internal partitions are stud, no internal blockwork.  We plan to open up the layout of the living areas somewhat, among some other minor changes to maximise internal space (incl moving the hot water cylinder location to the attic to remove the hot press). We ideally want to carry out as much work as possible ourselves and go direct labour for specific jobs (plumbing, electric, fireplace work). 

Wondering how the more open plan arrangement below would stand with regard to building regs (in particular fire safety). I've attached the original floor plan, as well as the proposed updated one. (involves removal of 2 stud partitions and repositioning of some doors). Also highlighted are sources of ignition (stove / cooker), and fire-safety compliant windows already in place.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated

C. Eastwood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058242086/thoughts-on-more-open-plan-bungalow-layout-re-fire-safety-regs

dannyk214

Best of luck to you and your wife in your new Home.

The most important thing in carrying out any proposed building works is that no one gets hurt. Health & Safety is paramount.

The most important Fire safety is Immediately Warning.

Carbon Monoxide kills very quickly. So Install many Smoke Alarms now today immediately.

In existing buildings - the Building Regulations (BR) state “As far as is practicable”

Your layout looks fine for Fire Escape.

The fire escape opening windows in the Bedrooms are very important.

There is a very complex BR Technical Guidance Document (TGD) Vol 2 Fire Safety. Dwellinghouses.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/303fa-current-edition-technical-guidance-document-b-fire-safety-volume-2-dwelling-houses-supplementary-documents-supplementary-guidance-to-technical-guidance-document-b-fire-safety-volume-2-dwelling-houses-2017/#

It is 93 pages but only some parts are applicable to existing dwellings.

dannyk214

Thanks for taking the time to take a look and weigh in - the input is much appreciated! Definitely taking those steps with fire alarm system and I've had a good read of the TGD on fire safety alright.

Just scoping out what's possible before forking out and involving the professionals.

C. Eastwood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943861#Comment_118943861

dannyk214

Thanks for your kind words.

In your Kitchen Dining Room and Living Room, when you remove partitions etc, you will need to do some rewriting and plumbing,

I recommend slabbing the ceilings with a 9 mm slab and the partition with a 9 mm slab. Leave the existing slabs

Mechanically fix insulated slabs with approx 35 mm insulation on to the filled ext cavity walls.

All new wiring and plumbing services could be installed behind these slabs.

Apply 3 mm skim of plaster to all newly slabbed ceilings and walls. New skirtings and architraves.

All like new 😂👍.

dannyk214

Cheers, those seem like good sensible suggestions. We're lucky with the ceiling that it was slabbed before the partitions were installed, so there's no gap between slabs.

Also have thoughts of kangoing out the 1.5" sand/cement screed, leveling the floor, installing battens with 30mm high performance insulation board in between, then topping with osb with laminate flooring to finish. Added benefit of allowing the radiator pipes to run under the floor.

C. Eastwood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118948468#Comment_118948468

Have you considered leaving the existing front porch in place and fitted an outer door in same.

Otherwise when you open the proposed front door - fitted flush with the external wall, heat will pour out.

dannyk214

You know, we've agonized over that one. Given that the day to day access to the house is through the back entrance and the front is to access the patio area, it's likely to be a seldom used door during the winter time. Letting the extra light from that opening spill into the room is worth the trade-off.

C. Eastwood

dannyk214

thats a good analysis and an ideal decision.

We use our rear door for access.

dannyk214

Hopefully it works out alright. Yea I guess whichever door more suits the layout, location of driveway etc. Thanks again for the responses.