dogman

Hi all one idea is to ask the local fire safety officer at the fire station. They will normally come and advise you of what is needed in event of a fire. As we let out the last cottage we built we have annual fire inspections and they are happy to give advise. about all aspects. I know from working in a building with massive smoke extract fans they can only be switched on by the fire service once the fire was out to clear the smoke. Ask them what they would like as they will be the ones coming to help.

We have an old system by Voltek that is both PIR and cctv. http://www.voltek.co.uk/Spectrum Cameras.asp its not battery or wireless(they may do this) it triggers on pir activation, chimes, and changes to the activated camera. Despite now having a new digital hybrid system i still use the feed from the voltek unit Each camera can be configured and set to trigger either as a master unit or slave. I have had the unit 12 years and only had to change the PSU i have fiddled with the cameras as the unit inside the case is a small CCTV board cam and i swapped them out for some cheap chinese 700tvl units from ebay which has vastly improved night vision Often see old units on ebay

Thanks for all the advice. The main use will be to store tools and have a workbench that are currently residing in our Garage( workshop) i think i will risk it as i am a bit fed up paying fees to the council

I am looking to build a small workshop/shed that falls within permitted development. Looking online my local authority want a fee for a lawful development certificate and to check its within the rules. My question is can i just build it and not inform them?

I use Cascamite Powdered Resin Wood Glue for external timber see http://www.woodworkersinstitute.com/page.asp?p=3659

Thanks for the replies. We have asked them to send a sample to compare in natural light but not had a reply yet.

Has anyone ordered windows matching the colour to a RAL chart. We chose a RAL colour to match existing windows in our other house but are concerned that what will be reproduced by the window company might not be the same as on the RAL chart. We assumed that if using RAL colours it should match exactly, but having seen the colour in a showroom( yes i have taken into account the different lighting ) the colour was totally different. So my question is, did the colour you ordered match what was delivered?

Hi I asked MBC the same question They recommended expanded mesh and cement render

I don't really understand how they work but would they measure any exported electricity? Anyone with solar panels and equipment to maximise usage would probably lose the 50% export allowance. Could this be a reason for them fitting them free

Police post stolen plant on the register even if owner does not, and i think it also checks the police national computer

There is a plant register called TER where stolen plant is recorded. It cost about £30 to check

Mike don't know if you have used the timer function, we did but reverted to running it 24/7 with a temperature drop of 10 deg triggering the switch on. The benefit is that if showering or having a bath my system extracts through these rooms so to a certain extent recycles the heat lost Martin

Vijay due to a nightmare day at work, I didn't get chance to go to the Auction, did you see any 1.5 to 2 T diggers go through and the price they were fetching Thanks

Looks like we may have issues in Berkshire Quotes from Building control "we would want structural justification for this system as we have never seen it before. I understand it is an Irish firm, but with a uk website would expect them to have a UK BBA certificate for the system or may be an LABC system approval?? " They have an issue with the company not being in the Uk. " I think it would be a good idea to have a UK, local engineer involved and to check foundation design " As we have not decided on who will do our inspections I might use a company to do both the warranty and building control together. We have had this twice before, once when we put underfloor heating in a house some 24 years ago and again 4 years age when we used SIP panels. Don't building control keep up with current build methods?

An interesting result of a ground source heat pump is the change in ground and air temperature, I will no doubt get told not possible but a house near mine had an extremely large pipe field built . The field is used by local people to ride horses and the ground and air over the field is noticeably colder when the pump is running. My daughter had noticed it herself

Hi Mike We have been pleased with ours in our small cottage. I thought we would have problems with water running out as it is a holiday rental with 6+ people staying most weeks. Been 3 years and we have never had guests complain of water running out. Electricity usage is very low and averaged over the year is about £45 per month for everything as only electricity available Looking forward to updates on the MHVR as got my name down for one. Martin

Vijay, if you live in London why not take a trip along the M4 and visit Newbury on the 22nd June http://thehewdenauction.com/ Plenty to chose from normally

You are so right. We had conditions about the main drains. We are on a cess pit and the nearest drain is a mile away. Problems with ecology in that we are going to pollute a nearby SSSI with run off. We are downhill of the SSSI so the laws of physics obviously do not apply in Berkshire. At least planning was straight forward

Hello Everyone, Just started posting on other forum when it finished so am pleased to see this forum flourishing We are on our third self build since 1994 and hopefully the last. Currently have planning permission and looking at options for the build. As a result of the other forum we have had a total change in build method and are likely to be using MBC for passive slab and frame and using wherever possible passive products we can afford. How things have changed since our first build, particularly the red tape, how many more forms do I have to fill in just to demolish the existing cottage? Hopefully will not require much help with issues but at least we now have somewhere to ask questions