Would installing a dormer window require building regulations approval??

Question

I know it would require planning but i do not want to install a staircase to the loft i simply want to use a ladder, would this be acceptable and if so how the heck do i go about applying !!

Answer 1

You are probably altering the roof structure, so possibly, yes. Get it checked out by a structural engineer - he will provide any calculations needed for B Regs, and should be able to tell if you really do ned consent. Glass and glazing also comes under the regs (its a bit of a minefield I am afraid) and something called FENSA. Ring up the council and ask for Building Control and tell them what you are about. You can get the appropriate forms from their website usually, and for the pleasure all this, you get to pay a fee based on the value of notifiable work.  You won't be able to use the space as a habitable room (eg bedroom) without a staircase - and you may need to address the question of insulation if you are going to use heating. (Still seem like a good idea? - Did you ever sort out the cellar?)

Despite the great nuisance they seem B Regs are their for your safety and if you try and dodge it you can get into big trouble (they usually get notified from planning anyway). It can potentially affect selling your house in the future if you haven't got the necessary consents in place.

Answer 2

Yes you need building regs approval, but not necessarily planning consent.  Unless you live in a listed building or a conservation area, there is a thing called permitted development.  You can enlarge the volume of your house by 10% without pp.  But call your planning office to be sure.  If the house was extended since being built, the 10% allowance may have been used up.

Building regs can be done the expensive way by getting plans drawn up and annotated.  If you are good at DIY, you may be able to do it on what is called a building notice.  Essentially you talk to the building inspector, he tells you how he wants something done and then comes to see it when you have done it and tells you the next important stage.  If the building inspector is approving the work, you can install the windows yourself.  They will have to comply with Part L of the B.Regs, but regular d/g windows will.

Yes, you will need to improve the insulation and it woudl be sensible to exceed the regs as it will pay for itself.  FOr lofts use tri-iso super 10 or supaquilt or whichever similar product is approved in your area.  

You may be able to install one of those things half way between a ladder and stairs and use it as a habitable room.  Ask the b.Inspector.  

You will have to have the wiring done professionaloy to complyy with part p of the regs and that is a pain as the sockets and switches have tobe at specified heightrs to be accessible for someone in a wheelchair whether or not anyone living there is in a wheelchair.  Irritating I know but true and if you try to sell the house without a par p cert for any new work, you will have trouble.

Arrange to see someone in planning and the building control department and take along scale drawings.

Answer 3

The other contributors have covered most points, but you need to be aware that in the UK Planning Control and Building Regulations are separate, crazy as that seems, even though they are both administered by the Local Authority. You first need to obtain Planning Consent, which will involve you in submitting plans and details and a cheque for the privilege; once you have overcome that hurdle, you must comply with Building Regulations, another set of officials, which may not agree with what you propose to do and obtained Planning Permission for ! Generally, if approached sensibly, they are very helpful in explaining what you can do, or how to avoid getting yourself into a jam.  

Best of luck.

Answer 4

Yes. Any new or replacement window (as opposed to repairing a broken pane) needs consent under the building regs, unless installed by a contractor who can self-certify, with a "FENSA Certificate" that the work complies with the regs. A loft conversion needs building regs consent too, if you are trying to create a "habitable room" like a bedroom up there. If that is the idea, then you won't get away with a loft ladder, and all sorts of other considerations will arise, like means of escape in case of fire and strengthening the floor (existing ceiling joists probably won't be sufficient).

If you go ahead without building regs consent, you will get all sorts of grief if and when you try to sell the house.

Sorry - this probably isn't the answer you wanted , but you may as well know what you might be letting yourself in for.

To apply, call the Council, ask to speak to the one of their Building Inspectors, and take it from there.

Answer 5

City hall planning and licensing department.

Answer 6

Yes, if you are altering the roof structure, you need to comply with building regulations and that could mean that you need to upgrade the insulation of the roof.  In any case, unless you are a member of a glazing trade federation, you need Building Regs approval to install a new window of any type.