Data origins of ADB

[Mr Wing]

I'm doing some research into the formation of Approved Doc. B.

Can someone point me in the right direction with regards to the data/ evidence that is used when specifying various recommendations within the document? i.e. travel distances, fire ratings etc.

Does it stem from the Post War Building Studies?

Thanks in advance

[jasper]

They originate from post-war studies, not sure where you can find them

[colin todd]

Some does, some doesn't. Not all is PWBS. One recommendation was based on the size of the house I was living in at the time.

[PGtips]

Were you ridiculously rich (i.e. living in a mansion) or did they pick the equivalent of the "man on the Clapham (or Glasgow) omnibus" house?

[colin todd]

Neither. It was just a nice 5 bedroom house, with 2 reception rooms and incorporated a small office. But a specific rec of ADB (and the tech handbook in Scotland and TBE in NI) is based on it.

[PGtips]

Obviously, I now need to know which?

[Dinnertime Dave]

Obviously, I now need to know which?

200 square metres.

[colin todd]

I can neither confirm nor deny this, Suppers.

[lyledunn]

Why 200m2? I once asked this of a belligerent BC officer who could not be satisfied by a Grade D LD2 system in a new property that strayed over the limit by a mere 20m2. Floors were ripped up and cables and detectors changed all because the walls in CTs house were built as they were?

[PGtips]

I feel there should be some sort of recognition of this - perhaps a nice pale blue plaque on the wall of the house?

[wee brian]

Some of the research that went into the 2006 edition can be found here

https://bregroup.com/projects-reports/project-review-and-findings-a-review-of-part-b-of-the-building-regulations/

You can still buy the key volumes of the post war building studies.

Often code writers have to come up with arbitrary figures for what is "reasonable".

Imagine a bunch of folk at BSI saying "well we should have these in a big house". Then they have to decide at which point a house becomes big. (enter CT stage left)

[colin todd]

Brian, Can I out in a link to "that " presentation you did, or is it best forgotten.

[wee brian]

I think I'm past caring Colin.

Another good reference is Malhottra's "fire safety in buildings" which is a good snapshot of what was being thought about circa 1980 ish.  https://www.brebookshop.com/details.jsp?id=328055