Fire safety is an important part of any construction project. Under UK building regulations, you would need a fire door for your loft conversion if you plan to turn it into a habitable space. If your loft conversion is non-compliant, this could spell disaster for you and your dream living space. So, what measures need to be taken to ensure compliance, and what could happen if these are ignored?
Turning a loft into a habitable space leaves room for new fire safety risks to arise. With a loft conversion being the furthest room away from the ground, whoever is inside must be able to evacuate safely in the event of a fire. Their escape route through the lower floors should be protected, and by installing things like fire doors you are on your way to achieving this. Building regulations often claim that for a loft conversion to be considered fire-safe, it should at least have:
- Fire doors on habitable rooms that open into potential escape routes
- Fire resistant materials used on stairways and corridors
- Interconnected smoke alarms on every floor
There are several serious problems that you may encounter if your loft conversion doesn’t use fire doors or fails to comply with other fire safety guidance. These include:
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Risk To Life
The most obvious consequence of failing to fire-proof your loft conversion is danger to life. Protecting the lives of your loved ones should be enough of an incentive to make sure you’re doing everything that’s required.
Legal & Financial Consequences
Your loft conversion may not be signed off for legal use once completed if it isn’t fire safe. You may also receive fines or other forms of action from the local authorities.
If you wish to sell your property one day, a non-compliant loft conversion may raise the suspicions of estate agents or a buyer’s solicitor, delaying or even preventing a sale.
Home Insurance
If your insurer finds that your loft conversion does not comply with fire safety regulations if you make a claim, they may refuse to pay out.
UK Building Regulations, specifically Approved Document B (Fire Safety), mandate fire doors to help contain fires, protect escape routes, and ensure people can evacuate safely. Simply Easy Refurbs is well aware of what makes a successful and safe loft conversion, and will guide you every step of the way.
