ETC

Use two beams.

It’s very simple. 1. You need guarding to a window where the cill is lower than 800mm above FFL. 2. If the window doesn’t open fit safety glass. 3. If the window does open fit safety glass and a restrictor stay to restrict the opening to 100mm. 4. If the window is acting as an EEW the restrictor stay must be capable of being opened without a key and in a single operation.

Your stairs won’t work.

Can you show the stairs and the upstairs plan.

You’ll need BC approval for any “structural alteration” to the dwelling. As Conor says the opening “may” not work - you’ll need restraint to the front wall and bearing for the lintels. If you add heating you will need to insulate the walls, floor and roof. If you insulate the roof you will need to ventilate the roof. If you don’t access the new space from a hall you’ll need an EEW. If you create a new living room you’ll need a smoke alarm within 7.5m - interlinked with any detection in the house. And so on and so forth.

- Structural steel in a house that supports an element of structure needs fire protection - steel trimming a floor for a staircase needs fire protection. Steel supporting a roof does NOT need fire resistance. - Ceilings in a two storey dwelling will not - generally on their own - provide fire protection. The complete floor construction gives the fire resistance.

Crazy shape.

You’ll need to separate the kitchen from the rest of the house - especially the staircase.

Can you post your drawings that your se said were impostor build?

Ask your joiner how much he would charge for the alteration. If it’s less than £700 do it. If not go for the different size to suit your opening.

Speak to the manufacturer or supplier.

https://www.dualchas.com/our-projects/residential Do some tasty work……in my opinion.

It’s not cad but it would do for detailed drawings.

I use Concept App for everything I have done on this forum. Plus Apple Pencil 1 and 2.

30 minutes FR required to structural steel in a house.

https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/advice-and-guidance/2020/02/accredited-construction-details-scotland-2007/documents/accredited-construction-details-scotland-2007/accredited-construction-details-scotland-2007/govscot%3Adocument/Accredited%2BConstruction%2BDetails%2B%28Scotland%29%2B%282007%29%2B%2B.pdf

A DPM is normally placed above the slab and is linked to the DPC in the inner leaf and internal walls. There are numerous sources online - check out TRADA - who will help you with your detailing. The DPC in the outer leaf can - as others have said be placed at a different level to the DPC in the inner leaf - it will be where doors are located.

First things first: Anyone who installs an UVHWS needs to be competent. His/or her ID card will prove this to your BCO. Secondly: Check with your local British Gypsum representative - a standard first floor construction will - in my opinion - not give fire resistance to steelwork within the floor void. I would not accept this argument unless evidence is provided by British Gypsum and to date I have never received this - structural steel within a floor void should be painted with intumescent paint - I can of course be persuaded otherwise.

Where is your floor DPM? The location of the DPC in the cavity will be hard to build/co-ordinate.

1. Are they architects? 2. Do you have a contract with them? 3. If you do - what does it say about issues you are experiencing? 4. If you don’t - they are probably in violation of several codes of conduct. 5. Check with your mortgage company - a JCT Completion Certificate may be irrelevant - a BC Completion Certificate is more likely to hold more weight. 6. If they are ARB and RIBA members and you are not happy with the service make a complaint. 7. If your mortgage company require some sort of guarantee speak to the NHBC.

In reality on building sites drainage is laid on and back-filled with bedding stone - I rarely see purpose made drainage trenches.

https://www.buildingcontrol-ni.com/assets/pdf/TechnicalBookletN2012.pdf

Minimum cover is 300mm in a garden 600mm in a vehicular accessible area. If less than this cover with a bit of concrete.