When does building control sign off?

[Andehh]

There are some bits I want to do to the house with the builder, but avoiding building control's scrutiny (!!). Some tiny bits like removing a banister off low steps, installing a door to garage that doesn't meet head clearance heights etc etc.

 

Bigger though, is i want to install bedroom mezzanines due to smallush bedrooms which have very high ceilings. These will have staircases that don't meet building regs. This will mean cutting back the plasterboard to the brick, and installing "mini" staircase (from Stairbox) before recarpeting and replastering the Mezzanine in.

 

Ideally I would prefer to do this before the builder installs plasterboard and carpets, but after building control sign off. To save cutting up brand new board and carpets!!

 

What is the trigger for building control to complete final inspections?

 

Could they do it before Carpet and plasterboard is done? Any other unforseen consequences,  namely builder & VAT exempt build?

[ProDave]

BC will sign off when they are satisfied the building is complete and meets building regs.

 

We had a similar situation with a mezanine, the headroom was about 1.6 metres, you could just stand up at the highest point, so there is no way any staircase could ever meet building regs.  BC were happy to sign it off as a storage platform, where you put up a ladder to get to it to put anything up there for storage.

 

Of course it now has a staircase and handrails.....

 

I had to cut the plasterboard, but no big deal, make a careful sketch with measurements of where all the joists are and take photographs, so you remember what awaits you when you get the saw out.

 

[saveasteading]

4 minutes ago, ProDave said:

headroom was about 1.6 metres, you could just stand up at the highest point

I couldn't. Height discrimination.

[Andehh]

That's an interesting idea, class it as a storage platform/loft space?

 

Would this just be a call to BC in advance to seek their approval of it?

 

Thank you very much!

[Temp]

When you think it's complete as far as the regs are concerned give the BCO a call and ask for a final inspection. Ask if you need to do any prep for his visit. Ours wanted to witness the drains pressure tested, checked the electricians paperwork all done and he personally checked the coating on every pane of glass! 

 

Edit: He also wanted to see a CE/kitemart on every pane of toughened glass.

Edited August 24, 2022 by Temp

[ProDave]

4 hours ago, Andehh said:

That's an interesting idea, class it as a storage platform/loft space?

 

Would this just be a call to BC in advance to seek their approval of it?

 

Thank you very much!

Ours never showed a staircase on any drawings, probably because the architect knew no staircase would comply, so we just built to the approved drawings.

[Adsibob]

I’ve been surprised by the fact that our BCO wanted so much detail and he only asked for it very late in the day. I thought he had been inspecting at the build was progressing. Then a month ago just as we were moving in, BCo wrote an official letter detailing all the potential non-compliances and asking to see various bits of paper and certifications. One of the things he asked for was SE’s calculations, in addition to the many pages of SE drawings that had been provided to him at the very outset of the building project when we served notice. The house is very much finished now, so if he spots any issues with the calcs, what am I meant to do???

[MikeSharp01]

48 minutes ago, Adsibob said:

The house is very much finished now, so if he spots any issues with the calcs, what am I meant to do???

Refer her/him to the BCO drawings and package you sent them with email confirmation then sit tight! 

[Adsibob]

4 hours ago, MikeSharp01 said:

Refer her/him to the BCO drawings and package you sent them with email confirmation then sit tight! 

Yes, but that isn’t going to address my concerns that there is some structural mistake. Surely the point of a BCO isn’t just to get the certification, but also to ensure the house is actually built correctly. Surely the BCO should have checked the calcs BEFORE all the structural works were done, but a year later!

[saveasteading]

39 minutes ago, Adsibob said:

the BCO should have checked the calcs BEFORE all the structural works were done

The bco does not and cannot check everything. It is a spot check, and the fee does not allow for full checking of the design, or formal quality control.

f the bco disagrees with the SE or Architect then I would leave them to discuss it.

[Gone West]

We went for a Full Plans Submission which was checked and approved before any building work took place. I then knew that as long as it was built to the plans there was no comeback.

[Andehh]

Thanks all, got the architect and builder looking into it, the storage platform angle is a good one I'll be trying for.... I will report back! 

 

Thanks