TABLE OF CONTENTS Unless you have the consent of the local authority, you are not allowed to construct a cellar or room in (or as part of) a house, an existing cellar, a shop, inn, hotel or office if the floor level of the cellar or room is lower than the ordinary level of the subsoil water on, under or adjacent to the site of the house, shop, inn, hotel or office.
Good Idea This does not apply to:
the construction of a cellar or room carried out in accordance with plans deposited on an application under the Licensing Act 1964;
the construction of a cellar or room in connection with a shop, inn, hotel or office that forms part of a railway station.
Important If the owner of the house, shop, inn, hotel or office allows a cellar or room forming part of it to be used in a manner that he knows to be in contravention with the Building Regulations, he is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine.
The building shall be provided with:
sufficient internal fire mains and other facilities to assist firefighters in their tasks;
adequate means for venting heat and smoke from a fire in a basement.
Owing to the risk that a single stairway may be blocked by smoke from a fire in the basement or ground storey:
|
| basement... |
