Fire proofing a wooden workshop

[skelton]

A neighbour is wanting to build a new workshop out of wood but due to the position being within 1 metre of the boundry wondered if there was any way of adequately fire protecting the structure in order to meet building regulations other than not building it in brick/block which is obviosly not as asthetically pleasing (pretty weak argument i know). No major engineering taking place in workshop just for use in his pending retirement.

Many thanks first time post and recommended this site by work colleague.

[Mr. P]

Firstly, is it work/construction that will require building consent/regs approval?  By the title of use use alone it suggest so, but, look in regs..

[Simon72]

Hi Skelton,

there are intumescent paints on the market that are fire resistant, and thus do not sustain combustion,  or lead to fire propogation. there are various types from paints to clear finishes, they are notoriously disastrous to apply and look like a dogs dinner when first applied, but dry well if left alone and not worked. the products i am aware of are from a company called Envirograf. they are also accredited to BS476 Surface Spread of Flame Tests.

hope this helps?

Simon

[nearlythere]

To what extent does it need fire proofing. To protect it from a source of fire or to protect other property from a fire involving it?

[CivvyFSO]

Just got this info from the net, from a local govt Building Control site;

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If it is 1m or more from the boundary and floor area is 30sqm or less, then it is exempt from building regs.

If it is within 1m, built from non combustible material and under 30sqm then it is also exempt.

If you can pass it off as a shed, and it is less than 15sqm then it is also exempt regardless of the distance from boundary.
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So to put it within 1m of a boundary and build it out of anything combustible, it looks like he will need to go through the building regs procedure. I suspect that Building Control will, as a minimum, look at the wall that faces onto the adjoining property, and insist that it is covered with a class 0 material as defined in B4 of ADB. If he makes the entire thing out of something non combustible and keeps it 30sqm of less then he won't have a problem. If you are wanting to treat the wood then I presume that it will still have to undergo Building Regs, as the Building Control body will want to make sure that it is treated properly. (You can probably imagine that people will claim to treat the building and then won't bother)

[Mr. P]

(You can probably imagine that people will claim to treat the building and then won't bother)

... or maintain it suitably there-after!

[skelton]

Thanks to all for your comments i have passed on the details regarding the paint as well as the technical information supplied. The descision is his now i feel he should build it out of brick/block as this will at least satisfy building control but i fear he will go for the wood and treat it. He did indicate that he may build a wall along the property line as a form of fire break which sounds daft as he may as well continue with the whole building in the same manner.

Once again thanks, a most useful forum with a wealth of knowledge to hand.