BadgerBodger

Hmmmm, it’s really hit and miss how well receiving you BC officer will be! Have you considered closing the void with an ablative batt? It’s pretty cheap and cheerful and comes with loads of persuasive test data!!!

I think you will struggle with “certified” solutions. I’m having a nightmare with 120 minute fire doors, and general compartmentation issues. The various changes to building safety act, fire safety act, updates to building regulations, greater understanding and desire for compliance with BS9999 (among many, many other updates and changes) since Grenfell has resulted in a lot of things that were deemed “OK” to be shunned and a lot of companies are avoiding advising anything but the tested detail. What this means at a site level is that we can only install the precisely tested arrangements whilst maintaining warranties and many situations are untested. Case in point my fire doors. Back to your issue, in summary, there is a good chance there is no specifically tested solution for your problem. On the plus side, the fire risk would probably be deemed quite low in a domestic arrangement (albeit elevated if you are talking about compartmentation - I’m imagining a protected corridor due to storey height) and it about an appetite for risk. I believe you’re right in that plasterboard wall test data is usually from one side which will give an overall rating for integrity and insulation (each serve different purposes). I’m not that well versed in domestics but I believe they are usually looking for integrity. It used to the rule of thumb that a 15mm standard plasterboard offered 30 minutes of resistance to fire (back when the discussion re integrity and insulation was less widely considered). I believe building regs also consider that 0.7mm piece of pressed steel will also provide 30 minutes of resistance… There are also proprietary product such as putty pads you could also consider however I’ve never actually seen them used in the way (generally for maintaining integrity to singe and double back boxes) https://www.firesealsdirect.co.uk/passive-fire-protection/electrical-protection/putty-pad-for-electrical-socket-box-single/?srsltid=AfmBOop5eF5txPnf8Eu2coCbUTECUQcTemyYIirljLIvWxRaPAHOcaR9 If I were going about it in my own build I would form a lined service opening to the required size in accordance with the relevant manufacturers guidelines (read British Gypsum white book or equal for competitors) but only cut out the facing board on the side I required the rebate. For 30 minutes I’d add an extra board to the back of the rebate. Consider the arrangement in the photo for sockets, I can’t find the lined penetration detailing for some reason… Of course, I would never recommend that you actually do this yourself.

I think this is their budget (cheapest) brick but not entirely sure, my builder reckons he might be able to get seconds to mix in to reduce the cost. We’re happy to use seconds as it’s up against a 170 year old brick barn so there are quite a few less than perfect bricks in there.

Nice. I feel robbed with my £1.36 per brick York “Handmade”. Planning requirement

Done

@Post and beam I like this brick a lot. How much we talking?

I’m not complaining, between this and carbon capture I think it’ll keep me in work for years to come

Yes. Not sure if this is permitted but we got quotes from Hutton and Rostron for our barn roof for just this. Unable to comment on how god they are as we decided against it as we are taking a “professional judgement” on the suitability of proposed changes to loading. As it was significantly cheaper…

I’ve used it commercially with reasonable success. Domestically I’m not sure I’d want it for the reasons indicated (staining and occasionally unclear water) We were considering RWH but the costs do seem to outweigh the benefits. We’re now looking at discharging rainwater into a lined pond with a perimeter land drain to soak away for excess.

I’m wondering why beam and block is the chosen solution? Especially in an environment where it isn’t typical (maybe even never used). Is it for an upper or ground floor? In most cases where beam and block isn’t used, my experience is that suspended concrete slabs are used, with a falsework/formwork arrangement to get you where you need to be… is it an upper or ground floor? What is more typically done?

We lived with no mains for about 15 years (90s to late 00s, I was just a kid) We had an old Lister diesel generator. It was a different life, we were much more oriented around being outside and one was very much at one with the seasons. We lived in a very small house and had the power on for an our or so in the morning, and then a couple in the evening. Through winter it was on longer (from dusk while 2200). Our heating was mainly from an open fire but we also had a gas boiler from an LPG tank. There was no TV. We did have a water connection and a telephone line though! AMA

Dependent on the size of your screen, the bracketry and the stud centres, have you considered a surface mounted patress? This size of a lot of these modern screens and them being fixed mounted means you can often get away with this.

I get frustrated in my day job about professionalism… here was me hoping it would be different when it’s a bit more up close and personal! I’m now reminded of a time earlier in my career when I did a few Barn conversions… time heals all wounds. A reminder that the current job is always “the worst” and one has a tendency to look back with rose tinted spectacles! PS looks like we’re on. Panic over. Thanks for the support!

Precisely. Today I try again.

I think I’m going to be using an epoxy paint. Either a one part like crown epimac or maybe a two part like watco plant room coating. We’ve been using the resbuild SF with texturising additive for some industrial applications with plant usage that seem to hold up. Much cheaper than a “resin” floor finish with a couple of mm build-up.

This is it. I’m a PM in construction. I’m used to bad news, delays, failures, damage, combinations of the above. All I ever ask is that I am told what the problem is, the impact and the preferred solution. If the preferred solution to them doesn’t work for me we explore the alternatives. I get mental health. I really do. But even with this, SOME communication is imperative because generally, problems CAN be resolved, but not without a basic understanding of the scope of the problem which could be as simple as - apologies, don’t have the capacity to deliver X right now. If it works for you I can complete by Y.

Yeah. I’m going to simmer down. Like I say a conduit to vent. I appreciate the different perspectives though. Architect isn’t passing comment currently. I’m not sure they’ve had any contact/feedback either though. I suppose my frustration is the lack of contact. I’d actually be happy to hear that he’s gotten waylaid and things will just take a little longer than planned!

Voice of reason. It’s possible. But for two weeks? With no response? Could be. If I were ill I’d call my clients it would affect a deadline for. You’re right. Maybe I should pipe down. I suppose my problem is I want to move forward and worry that it is the case that the ship has been abandoned it’s not an ideal juncture to do so timing wise for my objectives.

Frustrating. Seems like my appointed engineer who has been for a site visit, quoted (contract terms signed and agreed) the desired scope and came for a design meeting with the architect with the view to complete a survey upon which the basis of his design would be formed appears to have has quite simply disappeared… Not responding to calls, texts or emails for a week. Not really sure why I’m posting except to vent my frustration to some people who might understand!!! We were supposed to be submitting for BR approval this side of Christmas. grrrr

The first one looks like an old wasp nest. The second is unclear but could again be an insect nest. The 3rd looks like there could be rot at what looks like the roof and ceiling rafter bearing end. But there is something else going on off screen to the left which is undeterminable but perhaps looks equally worrying

Everyone is an idiot. Including you.

Me too. And Staffordshire Railway BS from Buildstore.

I spoke with them last week and they were will happy to talk about the route to offering me something for a conversion property.

Yes, I’m inclined to agree. There doesn’t seem to be a single solution for all scenarios. interesting observation regarding the PIR and wiring. I imagine it’s a retained heat issue, something that can likely be overcome by oversizing the cabling for experience with other cable overheating issues. Something I’ll discuss with my architect for sure.

Considering @SteamyTeas comments you could consider a multitude of cheap “short term” solutions… EPDM, felt, pvc… the options are there…