Building Regs - How much wiggle room?

[Vanilla]

Can you come to a compromise with building regs in the sense of them using their discretion or coming to an agreement if suitable action has been taken? It's a private company, not council.

Builder normally handles all this but his is away for Easter so just trying brainstorm while he is away.

I have a situation as follows:

Regs stipulate that doors opening onto the landing there is a 400mm space requirement - the door swing can't enter this area to protect people coming up the stairs and also those leaving from falling down stairs.

Example image, not mine, just example. I can draw mine if my text is confusing

I have two doors. One goes into my flat, the other goes into the attic - both doors on the same landing. The attic door swings out and does cross this 400mm line. Not massively but a bit.

I was wondering if a compromise could be made in the form of using a door with a glass window. This allows people to see out and also in to avoid collision.

.......or are building regs to the letter of the law.

 

[Jez]

In my experience (i have dealt with building control officers quite a few times) - it is very much a common sense situation. They will stick to their guns when it comes to a matter of safety, but in terms of how you get to that safety point they will work with you to find a solution if it really isnt possible to get there any other way.

 

[rexehuk]

Not sure if this will be of any help... Was reading about stair regs other day.

https://www.pearstairs.co.uk/staircase-buillding-regulations

Seems to pretty much match your picture though.

 

[the_r_sole]

Is this for a conversion/alteration of an existing house?
They can take a view on things and let some things slip, but in your case could you not just hang the doors in different directions?

On a new build they probably wouldn't allow anything safety related and easily fixed to be left.

 

[Vanilla]

Is this for a conversion/alteration of an existing house?
They can take a view on things and let some things slip, but in your case could you not just hang the doors in different directions?

On a new build they probably wouldn't allow anything safety related and easily fixed to be left.

It's for alterations of an existing house. Pictures below for clarification

The door ahead opens away and is not an issue. The door to the left is the issue as it encroaches within 400mm of the landing - this is a no-go area for doors typically.

I can't put the door the other way as there are steps.

Been chatting to a few people, general consensus is:

• I may be OK and get the award as although they have raised it it's not a massive encroachment, just the top left of the no-go zone.
  
• It's not direct - someone is unlikely to walk right out of the door and fall down the stairs
• There is still a banister there
• A decent compromise may be a door with a window.

 

[cadmunkey]

How close is it, from the pic it doesn't look like it's too far off the 400mm?

 

[the_r_sole]

Do they go into two separate properties? (Is the loft in separate occupation?)

 

[Vanilla]

Do they go into two separate properties? (Is the loft in separate occupation?)

No. Property is a house converted to two flats (maisonette). My flat begins first floor.

In the pics above - one door goes into my main flat (door dead ahead), door to the left goes into my new attic. Only separate occupation in the sense that it's a different bedroom, no locks on the door.

My flat has FRONT DOOR > FLAT DOOR > STAIRS UP (seen in pic) > SPLIT AT TOP OF STAIRS TO ATTIC/MAIN FLAT.

How close is it, from the pic it doesn't look like it's too far off the 400mm?

No, door probably swings into the top left of the box. Maybe 300mm+

 

[the_r_sole]

No. Property is a house converted to two flats (maisonette). My flat begins first floor.

In the pics above - one door goes into my main flat (door dead ahead), door to the left goes into my new attic. Only separate occupation in the sense that it's a different bedroom, no locks on the door.

My flat has FRONT DOOR > FLAT DOOR > STAIRS UP (seen in pic) > SPLIT AT TOP OF STAIRS TO ATTIC/MAIN FLAT.



No, door probably swings into the top left of the box. Maybe 300mm+

Ahh right, you'll probably get away with that one then, if it's all in the same dwelling, the occupants are used to the door openings etc. the only real compliant solution would be to remove the door to the attic but guessing it may be a fire door?
If they don't allow it, just ask them how you can comply, in a situation like this they will likely be pretty pragmatic (although you do sometimes get the odd jobsworth!)