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Advice on pre 78 fsc apartment purchase

  • 02-03-2016 11:05PM
    #1
    Benny122
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 133 ✭✭


    Hi there just a query regarding fire regulations in an apartment.

    I am thinking of buying an apartment which was built in 1978 pre Building and Fire Regulation.

    Can anyone advise cons to this?

    Or can someone who knows about this PM me please


Comments

  • #2
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Benny122 wrote: »
    Hi there just a query regarding fire regulations in an apartment.

    I am thinking of buying an apartment which was built in 1978 pre Building and Fire Regulation.

    Can anyone advise cons to this?

    Or can someone who knows about this PM me please

    Get an engineer or surveyor to inspect the actual building and advise on any concerns they may physically have.


  • #3
    Benny122
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 133 ✭✭Benny122


    kceire wrote: »
    Get an engineer or surveyor to inspect the actual building and advise on any concerns they may physically have.

    I already did this. And the engineer just highlighted the fact that it didn't have fire exit or fire alarm


  • #4
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,147 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    off topic post moved to new thread


  • #5
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,147 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    Benny122 wrote: »
    Hi there just a query regarding fire regulations in an apartment.

    I am thinking of buying an apartment which was built in 1978 pre Building and Fire Regulation.

    Can anyone advise cons to this?

    Or can someone who knows about this PM me please
    Lack of fire separation between units. Are they concrete floors/walls?

    We can't see the apartment.

    How many hypothetical 'cons' would you like?


  • #6
    Benny122
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 133 ✭✭Benny122


    BryanF wrote: »
    Lack of fire separation between units. Are they concrete floors/walls?

    We can't see the apartment.

    How many hypothetical 'cons' would you like?

    Yes the walls and floors are concrete


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  • #7
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,147 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    Heating system, insulation, air-tightness, ventilation


  • #8
    Benny122
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 133 ✭✭Benny122


    BryanF wrote: »
    Heating system, insulation, air-tightness, ventilation

    "There is a lead valley across the corner of the building. The lead is not lapped. It is one single piece - not recommended. However no drop down from this area noted in attic area"

    "there is a crack in the ceiling adjacent to the chimney breast and there are a number of horizontal cracks across the ceiling in the kitchen area with evidence of repair to a poor standard"

    "Where the purlins enter the two party walls at the north side and at the east side the area around those are just filled with insulation. This is not acceptable. These should be properly sealed against the possibility of the transfer of fire from one apartment to other"

    "the purlins where they are connected and sliced are not supported under"

    "Also the apartment was pre Building Regulations & Fire Regulations and there are no fire doors or fire corridors in place"

    "Bedrooms in apartment since building regulations came into force must not open up into kitchen/dining room.

    "There is no apartment block fire detection and alarm system. Some detectors and heat detectors should be fitted."

    "Party walls in attic must be fully fire stopped"

    The above are quotes from engineers report


  • #9
    Metric Tensor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,732 ✭✭✭Metric Tensor


    Why not give the engineer who surveyed the apartment for you a ring and ask him about any concerns you have?

    You've paid him a reasonable rate (I presume) so I'm sure he'll give you a few minutes of a chat. I encourage clients to ring me afterwards to discuss the specifics!


  • #10
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Benny122 wrote: »
    "There is a lead valley across the corner of the building. The lead is not lapped. It is one single piece - not recommended. However no drop down from this area noted in attic area"

    "there is a crack in the ceiling adjacent to the chimney breast and there are a number of horizontal cracks across the ceiling in the kitchen area with evidence of repair to a poor standard"

    "Where the purlins enter the two party walls at the north side and at the east side the area around those are just filled with insulation. This is not acceptable. These should be properly sealed against the possibility of the transfer of fire from one apartment to other"

    "the purlins where they are connected and sliced are not supported under"

    "Also the apartment was pre Building Regulations & Fire Regulations and there are no fire doors or fire corridors in place"

    "Bedrooms in apartment since building regulations came into force must not open up into kitchen/dining room.

    "There is no apartment block fire detection and alarm system. Some detectors and heat detectors should be fitted."

    "Party walls in attic must be fully fire stopped"

    The above are quotes from engineers report


    Sounds like it would need a lot of work to bring it up to current standards.
    Would you be happy buying knowing there are serious defects with the fire safety of the building?
    Personally I'd move onto the next apartment.


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