Garden Room Non Expert

[Wantage Cherry]

Hi, in the middle of building a garden room for my son and need all the help/advice I can get!

[Conor]

One issue, needs to be made out of largely noncombustible materials within 1m of a boundary.... So I assume you'll be cladding with some sort of fire resistant boards?

[Wantage Cherry]

Hi Conor, the plan is cedar cladding.

[Conor]

That'll be a building control fail and you might be asked to remove the building (if you are reported and it's enforced). 

 

Assume flat roof? Looks like it might be a tad over the max height of 2.5m?

 

I'm assuming this is like a garden office / workshop and otherwise building regs exempt?

Edited October 21, 2024 by Conor

[Wantage Cherry]

Hi, the building is within the 2.5m so intended to be building regs exempt as you say.

[twice round the block]

5 minutes ago, Wantage Cherry said:

Hi Conor, the plan is cedar cladding.

That is a flammable material.

 

What is the height of the building?

as that looks extremely high against your neighbours fences.

 

Where is the rain water going to go? you've already paved over an area of your garden.

 

You may want to get some advice on this build before you proceed any further. 

[Wantage Cherry]

Hi, the building is 2.4m high. Rain water will be to a soak away within the garden, more than 5m away from the existing house and build site (the picture doesn't give the overall view of the garden and its length)

[Conor]

The spread of fire element seems to be the biggest issue to address, which can be done with the right cladding and roof material. Otherwise, looks to be well made. Keep asking questions!

 

I needed up making mine out of concrete blocks with fire retardant fibreglass roof to comply. House since sold, and new owner uses it for his laser etching hobby/business. I did a basic soakaway to the RHS for the roof drainage. Worked well.

 

Edited October 21, 2024 by Conor

[garrymartin]

If the *internal* floor area is less than or equal to 15m2, even within 1m of the boundary, the "substantially non-combustible materials" element does not apply.

[Wantage Cherry]

Thanks Garry, that's my understanding.