ETC

http://www.buildingcontrol-ni.com/assets/pdf/NIHE_Standard_Details_March_2017_AMD_1.pdf Other options are available.

Looks unusual. Looks like the slab has been extended to the inside face of the outer leaf. Just means that the inner skin will be built off the slab - I’d normally ask for reinforcement if this was the case-especially since the DPM looks like it has been installed below the slab. Also has implications for DPC/DPM locations and for depth of cavity. You should check with Building Control-they will have inspection notes of what was built and will confirm if they are happy with the construction. They should also have a record of the proposal including the sub-floor construction.

Get the supplier/manufacturer of the PIR insulation to do a condensate risk analysis/interstitial condensate risk analysis before you do anything. I would normally expect to see approximately 125mm PIR insulation to meet the U-Value here in NI. Might be higher in mainland UK.

Keep the floor plan/building shape as simple as possible. Don't go 1.5 storey unless you choose attic trusses. Avoid valleys and structural steelwork. Insulate, insulate and insulate some more. Naturally ventilate. Avoid air-conditioning if you can. Orientate the house to maximise natural light and heat. Consider renewable energy sources. Establish a budget and stick to it. Use an architect-a real one! - one who you can work with to deliver what you want.

Ask the window supplier. Wouldn’t normally have a check with blockwork but would with brick. I’ve seen 15mm-25mm depending on how the fire stopping is carried out.

Simple - get the EWI to do the u-value calculation and condensation risk analysis.

If they don’t have the staff they can’t be in two places at once. Don’t forget Building Control are not a clerk of works or contract inspection service - they can only see what is available for inspection on any given day. As for testing the drains a bucket of water shouldn’t be too hard to find on a building site!

Taking photographs is really a last resort by Building Control - not liked by officers and open to abuse. However lockdown necessitated the use of photographic evidence and the inspection notes would reflect this. Im surprised that the BCO hasn’t asked for a video call - this is often a very useful exercise and a real-time inspection can give the BCO an opportunity to review and comment on the works before you proceed to the next stage. If your BCO is asking for photographs I would suggest that they really don’t have the resources (at the moment) to carry out inspections to all properties. I would suggest that you photograph everything - twice. I would also suggest the following: Commencement. A video is quite useful showing the commencement of any excavation in relation to the wider site. Again photographs of the site before, during and after any excavation works. Foundations. Photograph all trenches showing the site in context so that there is no ambiguity on the location of the foundation trenches. Photograph the width and depth of a few typical trenches - internal wall trenches may be wider than the external wall trenches. photograph the base of a few trenches to show the composition and material of the sub-base. Sub-Floor. Photograph the sub-base being placed in stages showing the materials used and the depth of hardcore placed. A gain make sure some photographs show the works in context with the wider site. Show the sub-structure being built, in context and with measurements. Photograph all DPMs or radon barriers being placed along with overlaps and sealed joints. Drainage. Photograph the layout showing the location and inside of all ICs or MHs - dimension the cover and show the location of all SVPs. Take a video of the drainage being tested to show that the falls are satisfactory. Superstructure. Again - photograph everything with dimensions. Photograph the inside of all cavities and show the location of wall ties, insulation and all DPCs. Photograph the sizes, strength grade and centres of all floor joists, rafters, purlins, trusses - the list is too extensive to mention but if it doesn’t move photograph it. Completion. Start at the site entrance to show that the disabled access complies. Photograph the width of the PA door complete with a dimension. Photograph the location of all SAAs, HAAs and CO alarms. Take a video to show that they are working and interlinked. Video all extract fans working and show that any PIV and MVHR systems are installed and working satisfactorily. Photograph all EEWs showing the width and height. Photograph the roof space to show that it is insulated. I have probably missed a shed load of stuff. However I would strongly suggest that you get confirmation each stage of what your BCO wants you to photograph. Then I would send all photographs and videos and would ask for written confirmation that what you have submitted is satisfactory and that you can move to the next stage of your build. Hope this helps in some way.

Use your BCO for help and advice rather than re-doing the works before he/she comes - you might be surprised at the help you’d get. If it’s purely condensation and not damp coming up or through the wall a bit more ventilation might help - possibly trickle vents and this may be suggested during the inspection. I'm afraid that I’d certainly question the existence of the mould if I saw it on site. I wouldn’t be too worried about the sagging plasterboard but I would be asking you to fix it and I would be asking you to prove that the recessed down lighters would not affect the fire performance of the floor. Granny and sucking eggs - If the damp/mould issue is not addressed now it may cause problems later on.

You should strip the tiles, fit a breathable membrane above the rafters, place PIR (100mm minimum) between the rafters leaving a 50mm ventilation space above the the top of the insulation and fit 63mm insulated plasterboard across the face of the rafters. You will also need continuous eaves and ridge ventilation - 25mm at the eaves and 5mm at the ridge.

This won’t help with roof ventilation.

I would - I’d be asking about the mould and as other posters have alluded to - I’d be looking for ventilation. And I’d be looking at the location of DPCs.

A bit of a pain all right - and you are correct it could have been cleared up then and there. But I think your BCO may have realised once he/she was back in the office that the distances were perhaps borderline and needed you to confirm the installation instructions. Don’t forget hat the distances shown in the Guidance Documents are guidance and we would always go with the installation instructions over the guidance.

Fix the balustrade to the inside of the wall. Having it fixed onto the top of the coping will create a step and you will need to have the guarding 1100mm above the step.

Don’t be shy @CharlieKLP😉 sharpen that pencil and let’s see what you can do.

Forgot to say - feel free to post your option @CharlieKLP-I’d love to see another option.

Completely agree - just a notional sketch.

Change of clothes. Simplified for rural Scotland. Other elevations to follow. @Iceverge @hinge and bracket

@Iceverge @hinge and bracket The Emperor’s new clothes.

@Iceverge @hinge and bracket

@Iceverge @hinge and bracket