On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 10:56:08 +0000, a particular chimpanzee named
Andrew randomly hit the keyboard and produced:

Building over drains which run the entire length of the street about 3-4
feet from the back door, so re re-routing the drains is not an option.

If the houses were built before 1937, then the drain is deemed to be a
'public' sewer. If it's post 1937 it could also be a public sewer if
it has been adopted. Building over a public sewer as opposed to a
private sewer will require the permission of the local sewerage
undertaker usually your local Water Company. If it's not public, then
building over will be covered by the Building Regulations. Ask at
your Building Control section or your Water Co to see the sewer map
for your street.

IMHO depending on the diameter you may be able to build over the
public sewer. Anything over 150mm diameter, and the Water Co usually
want it diverted.

Definition of buildings. I know their are strict regulation for the
living quarters, and I intend to follow all regulations and add where I
think is appropriate. The section I have referred to as non-living
quarters, I am looking for the best definition for, as I know the
building regs are different for garages. What I would ideally like for
this section is a garage style build, but with out the extra fire
precautions, as I don’t won’t be able to park a car in the new building
as it will be too narrow. In this section of the building I could like
to maximise space and security, with the option of putting a combi
boiler in when the building is complete.

A 'building' is a structure with a roof on. Any building that is
attached to a dwelling, no matter what size and what it's used for,
requires a Building Regulations application (with the exception of a
porch or a conservatory). A 'garage' or storeroom would require an
application. The Building Regulations are the same, but how you meet
the requirements differ (a subtle but important distinction). Let me
explain:

Matters like the structure, combustion appliances, safety glazing, etc
will be the same, as these are not affected by how the building is
used. Some matters do not impose any requirements because they do not
adversely affect anyone's health & safety (such as providing
damp-proofing) or because it's not reasonable to do so (if the space
is unheated, then insulation is not required and ventilation to
prevent the build-up of condensation is not necessary). The only
requirement that would be more onerous would be fire safety, in
particular forming a compartment wall between the two buildings. This
would require that any door between the dwelling and the 'garage' be a
fire door, and any other openings greater than a 40mm diameter pipe be
blocked up or otherwise fire-protected. This would apply whether the
building is a garage or a store, as the main risk to the dwelling is
of a fire going undetected for longer, and the quantity of combustible
material in a store is usually greater than in a dwelling.
--
Hugo Nebula
"The fact that no-one on the internet wants a piece of this
shows you just how far you've strayed from the pack".