New Approved Document B available on line

[DF]

Dear All,

see the link below for the revised ADB (in force from 6th April 2007)


http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/4000000000084.html

A little bit of light reading for Christmas!

Regards
Dave.

[Gel]

Seems to be the end of AC only smoke/heat alarms then, at least in England & Wales from April 2007.

Still not recommending one in every bedroom which is desirable, and adds little cost in new build in scheme of things; no doubt Housebuilders objected to something not viewed as sexy/adding kerbside appeal!!

Heat Alarms use (in Kitchen) is still not mandatory but is dependent on whether there's a door between it and escape route, as now; as cooking appliances are a major source makes sense to always require IMO.
And how often is kitchen door, giving supposed protection, left open at night anyway!

[Donna]

Gel..Food for thought about the open kitchen door at night scenario, Sadly due to having a wheelchair in the home,  Between my Front door and my back door with the hall, kitchen, (except bathroom, WC) living room etc etc inbeween the two external doors, I have NO internal doors dividing any rooms at all! I do have battery smoke detectors, maintained by the housing association, one up one down, for obvious reasons I have been told to sleep downstairs, but my children are upstairs?
There is no room for doors, and I couldnt manage with them anyway, how does this new regulations apply to a tennant with my circumstances?

[jayjay]

Thanks for the link, had a quick look, seems to be more on MofE for disabled including progressive horizontal evacuation.

[Gel]

Donna if your dwelling is in England & Wales would come under the HHSRS requirement,
but this is somewhat open to interpretation. The Building Regs (Approved Doc B) essentially covers New Build, Loft Conversions & where there is a large refurbishment & local BCO may deem that Building Regs will apply.

For HHSRS see www.smoke-alarms.co.uk and scroll down to bottom right link.

Battery only alarms are Grade F (under 5839 Pt6) and would NOT comply under Building Regs which call up hard wired/interconnected.

[Donna]

Cheers, had a good look, and Im pretty sure Im not covered as my house is 1920s.

[Markbr]

Note that the provision for closers in dwellings of more than 2 storeys has been removed apart from garage doors. And I thought kitchens were the major risk? Silly me.

As the line from the "Carry On" film goes, "frying tonight?"