Dean Lawrence wrote:
Hello,

I am in the latter stages of having an extension built (ok I'll be doing
some of the decorating myself so this post is nominally on topic!) and the
builders have just knocked through. The opening - it's not really a doorway
because there is no door on it but I don't know the proper technical term -
is about 600mm wide.

Now it is fine for us to use at this width, and we are exempt from Part M of
the regs (as far as I can make out) because it is an extension to an
existing dwelling and we haven't removed a WC (we've added one though. I bet
this shafts us somehow!), but I would like to know if there is a minimum
"non-door containing doorway" or "opening without a door" width for
extensions to existing dwellings. If there isn't the all well and good, but
if there is and it's more than 600mm then the builders and I will have to
have words!

Thanks for any help you great people in uk.diy land can give.

Dean.
--

Didn't you need to get all your drawings approved by Building control before
starting any of this work?

My understanding is that you give all your plans to building control before
starting the work, and they will then comment on these things and give
approval before you are allowed to start.

Again as I understand it if you add a WC then that WC must comply with part
M regarding door opening and space in front of the loo.

I'd contact BC now before you get too far and are completely shafted by them
over any dimensions, Builder are good at building (hopefully) not
necessarily designing and meeting the regs.

cheers

David