Hi

I am one day into have a loft conversion completed on a modern trust
rafter house by a specialist loft conversion company. They ran into a
few problems, which they are doing there best to sort out, but it lead
to be to have a good look at he work completed so far.

I have a couple of concerns about the steel trimmers they have put as
the new supporting members across the width of the house. One of the
steels (I beam) is 30cm high and 6 meters long. One end is supported
on an internal load bearing wall and that looks fine, but the other
end is supported on the external wall.

The 'stack' goes like this: I beam 300mm high, 6 meters long, cut at
45 degrees (to fit under tiles); 30mm thick, 100mm wide, 400mm long
steel plate; 60mm thick, 100mm wide, 400mm long new timber member (to
raise height); existing wall plate (I assume as I can't see). The
concern is that the overlap of the I beam onto the steel spreader
plate is only 50mm. The architects drawing shows a square ended beam
(ie not cut at 45 deg) sitting a full 100mm on to the steel plate.

I also believe there should be a 25mm gap between the steel and the
existing timber ceiling joists - is that right? If so I have less
than 10mm - the builder said no, that is only between the new floor
joists and old ceiling.

Should I be worried? What is the building inspector going to say
about A) the overlap and B) the use of timber in the 'stack' C) the
lack of gap?

Thanks in advance
Kev

Kevin Walton wrote:
Hi

I am one day into have a loft conversion completed on a modern trust
rafter house by a specialist loft conversion company. They ran into a
few problems, which they are doing there best to sort out, but it lead
to be to have a good look at he work completed so far.

I have a couple of concerns about the steel trimmers they have put as
the new supporting members across the width of the house. One of the
steels (I beam) is 30cm high and 6 meters long. One end is supported
on an internal load bearing wall and that looks fine, but the other
end is supported on the external wall.

The 'stack' goes like this: I beam 300mm high, 6 meters long, cut at
45 degrees (to fit under tiles); 30mm thick, 100mm wide, 400mm long
steel plate; 60mm thick, 100mm wide, 400mm long new timber member (to
raise height); existing wall plate (I assume as I can't see). The
concern is that the overlap of the I beam onto the steel spreader
plate is only 50mm. The architects drawing shows a square ended beam
(ie not cut at 45 deg) sitting a full 100mm on to the steel plate.

I also believe there should be a 25mm gap between the steel and the
existing timber ceiling joists - is that right? If so I have less
than 10mm - the builder said no, that is only between the new floor
joists and old ceiling.

Should I be worried? What is the building inspector going to say
about A) the overlap and B) the use of timber in the 'stack' C) the
lack of gap?

Thanks in advance
Kev

I'd be worried. We've just finished a loft conversion and both the
structural engineer and the building inpector were very fussy about the
load bearing parts of the project. A 50mm overlap is certainly not enough.

I'd phone the building inpector NOW and get him round as son as possible
because if he says it's not good enough you are in a stronger position
regarding the builder wgo has (presumably) agreed to do the work to the
current regs.

Out steels which were only 4m long had to rest on concrete pads. If my
roof rested on a bit of wood I'd want to make sure it was oak and could
never get wet even if the roof later leaked

N

On 12 Nov 2003 09:26:19 -0800, a particular chimpanzee named
(Kevin Walton) randomly hit the keyboard and
produced:

Should I be worried? What is the building inspector going to say
about A) the overlap and B) the use of timber in the 'stack' C) the
lack of gap?

The Building Inspector is probably going to want the structural
engineer who originally designed the work to have a look at it and
provide revised calculations to justify the reduced bearing onto the
steel plate. He is (very likely) going to want the timber bearing
replaced with concrete or engineering brick. So get in early and
contact him now (well, Monday).

With regard to the gap between the beam and the existing ceiling, the
amount of deflection can be calculated quite precisely. For a span of
6m it would be limited to a maximum of 14mm, but again check with the
engineer as to the amount that has been allowed for, and make sure
that there is sufficient gap under the beam.
--
Hugo Nebula
"You know, I'd rather see this on TV,
Tones it down" - Laurie Anderson

"Kevin Walton" wrote in message
I am one day into have a loft conversion completed on a modern trust
rafter house by a specialist loft conversion company. They ran into a
few problems, which they are doing there best to sort out, but it lead
to be to have a good look at he work completed so far.
You used an architect but he seems to have faded out of the picture. Why
was he not consulted before any of the building work was altered? Once
you agree to the builing alterations without his approval he is free
from recriminations and so are the builders. If you don't have it in
writing you don't have it.
The architects drawing shows ......
The last drawing he gave you shows you what you are supposed to have.
Anying else and you are on your own with a legal hassle between you and
the builders.

Only my opinion of course. You may want to try this at UK.legal
or whatever the group is called.



--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

"Michael Mcneil" wrote in message
news:fba85868374ced7601c4418b059a2a0f.45219@mygate .mailgate.org...
"Kevin Walton" wrote in message
I am one day into have a loft conversion completed on a modern trust
rafter house by a specialist loft conversion company. They ran into a
few problems, which they are doing there best to sort out, but it lead
to be to have a good look at he work completed so far.
You used an architect but he seems to have faded out of the picture. Why
was he not consulted before any of the building work was altered?

especially about the non spec 45deg cut to
accomodate the RSJ under the tiles

how did the Architect imagine it would fit uncut ?

On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 00:22:28 -0000, a particular chimpanzee named
"Chris Oates" none randomly hit the keyboard and produced:

how did the Architect imagine it would fit uncut ?

I've seen plenty of plans for loft conversions. Some 'architects'
have a habit of drawing plans to show that the conversion will comply,
irrespective of whether or not it matches the house construction.
--
Hugo Nebula
"You know, I'd rather see this on TV,
Tones it down" - Laurie Anderson