Attic Conversions

Dun Laoghaire Area

Committee

26th January 2015

 Considering Attic Conversions

The possibility of providing an attic conversion as a means of

offering a solution has been considered by Dún Laoghaire
Rathdown County Council.

The conversion of uninhabitable roof space into habitable

accommodation requires full adherence with statutory building
regulations. Part A (Structure), Part B (Fire), Part F (Ventilation),
Part K (stairs) and Part L (Energy) are of particular relevance to
attic conversions

The following information clearly illustrates that in most

circumstances it is not possible to facilitate this option based on
one or more technical issues
 Typical Roof Profile

Typical roof pitch angle of 32° to 35°.

Trussed rafter (more recent roofs)

Headroom

35°

Main ceiling joists usually 125/150x50mm.

Span
 Building Regulations 1997

Technical Guidance Document F,

Ventilation

Section 1: Means of Ventilation

Sub-section 1.2.1.8 states:

“Ceiling height is one of a number of

factors which affects ventilation of habitable
rooms. The suggested dimensions in
Diagram 3 are consistent with good room
design, the use of standard materials and
good building practice”
 Ventilation

To achieve 2.4m clearance under the ridge

the following is required :-

Dormer window dependent on planning * a minimum span of approximately 7.5 m

permission. * at a minimum roof pitch of 35°

or a minimum span of 8.4m at a roof pitch of 32°

2.4 m
35°

Ceiling level minimum 2.4m above floor level

(Technical Guidance Document Part F)

7.5 m
 Ventilation

The area of headroom at ceiling level (minimum The area A in red should be at
of 2.4m above floor level) should be at least 50% least 50% of area B in blue.
of the area at 1.5m above floor level.

This isas
This is asinTechnical Guidance
the Technical GuidanceDocument
Documents- Part
Part E, A
Building Regulations 1997), Diagram 5.
F (Building Regulations 2009, Diagram 3,Page 8.
Pg.11

2.4m
1.5m

Ceiling level minimum 2.4m above floor level

 Ventilation

In typical DLR dwelling dating from 1970’s

Inonwards,
Cois Cairn,
as Bray,as the illustration
the illustration showsshows the
the pitch
pitch is 40°
is 40° andand
the the span
span is 7.0m.
is 7m. The The
areaarea in red
in red
wouldbe
would be only
only approximately
approximately 1/4¼of of
thethe area
area in
in blue
blue.

2.4 m
1.5 m
 Ventilation

1.1m

2.4 m
2.0 m
35°

2.2m
2x1.1 maximum

Span of approximately 8.5 m required for 2.2m

wide room in attic. Prior to deeper floor joists
and insulation works allowed for.
 Structure

Typically prefabricated roof trusses are used in

houses at 600mm centres.
To facilitate attic conversion , the trusses need
to be removed, this requires expensive alteration
and replacement structural members to be
inserted.
 Structure

HOMEBOND HOUSE BUILDING MANUAL It is possible to use purpose designed prefabricated

Page. 181 dormer trusses at design stage.
Structure However they involve
"In dormer roofs the need to provide clear space (i) extra costs
of adequate width and height to accommodate (ii) may have roof height and pitch implications and
rooms means that the structural form of the roof (iii) planning implications
differs significantly from a conventional roof space.
The design of the roof structure must take this
into account, and ensure that sizing and disposition
of members is adequate".
 Structure

The typical headroom here before

Insulation to be inserted to
building regulations standard
between and under rafters.
inserting new floor joists at a pitch angle
of 35° and a span of 7.0m, is 2.2m, at 32°
pitch it is smaller. After inserting new
floor joists in lieu of ceiling joists this
figure is reduced.

Trusses strengthened
with extra members

Main ceiling joists not strong enough to support

floor loads of attic room. New stronger deeper floor
joists have to be inserted.
Equipment and Services

Services and equipment that may have

to be altered, relocated or replaced
- chimney stack
- flues -gas boiler etc.
- water storage
- electrical cabling/trunking, equipment
- ventilation/extraction ducting
 Access

Existing staircase
with landings

TYPICAL SECTION TYPICAL FIRST FLOOR PLAN

BEFORE ATTIC STAIRS INCLUDED

 Access

Attic floor space shown in blue hatch

New staircase Existing staircase with landings

with landings

Existing staircase
with landings

New staircase with landings

taking up space of twin bedroom
and now only useable as single.

SECTION FIRST FLOOR PLAN

 Access

Attic floor space shown in blue hatch

New staircase required minimum
headroom of 2.0m required Existing staircase with landings

New staircase
with landings

Existing staircase
with landings

New staircase with landings

taking up space of bathroom, that
now has to be relocated.

SECTION FIRST FLOOR PLAN

 Fire Safety

BUILDING
BUILDING REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS 19972006

Technical Guidance Document B - Fire safety

Section B1 :- Means of Escape in Case of Fire :-

Sub-section 1.5.3. - provisions that have to be included in cases where the

new attic storey floor will be more than 4.5m above ground level (probably a
two storey house). It stipulates the folowing requirements :-

- fire resisting enclosure construction be provided to form protected

staircase enclosure
- fitting fire resisting doors
- automatic smoke detection and alarm system
- provision of escape window/doors from the new third storey
- layout and configuration of the escape/stairs to comply with the
requirements of this section.
- separate attic floor by fire resisting construction
 Fire Safety

Escape window to comply with

Building Regulations TGD S.1.5.6.
Clear opening minimum 0.33 sq.m.
and minimum 450mm high

Max 1.7 m
Max 1.1m,
min 0.6m

Area beneath window should be clear of obstructions

to enable escape and/or rescue. For example :
conservatory/back addition.
 Conclusion

Technical Issues which can prove problematic in relation to

Attic Conversions:

• Ventilation
• Structure (roof trusses etc.)
• Equipment/Services located in the attic
• Access and its adverse affect on existing living space
• Fire Safety
End of
Presentation

26th January 2015