Loft Conversion Safety Advice 

Opening up your home to more options, adding space and increasing its value, a loft conversion can be a great addition to any property – as long as it’s safe.

While it may not look like a great deal has changed from the outside, a loft conversion will involve a lot of change inside your home, which will require consideration. This doesn’t just involve your dreams for the space, but practical considerations such as safety and legal requirements. 

Planning permission 

While loft conversions are usually easier to proceed with than extensions, you may still need to apply for planning permission – especially if you live in a listed building, World Heritage Site, Conservation Area or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Usually loft conversions fall under permitted developments and can proceed without planning permission. Your local building authority would be able to advise further. If you are not sure who your building authority is, you can check here. 

Building regulations 

There are many building regulations that also need to be complied with, set out by the government. They cover the structure of the loft, insulation, electrics, plumbing, heating, windows, ventilation, staircases and fire safety.

The floor in the loft will be used in a different way, so it needs to be able to support weight. If the extension of the loft involves dormers, structural safety standards will need to be adhered to. 

Insulation is something we hear about a lot now, as many homes could do with increasing their levels of energy efficiency. To ensure your property meets the right standards, you will be required to have at least 270mm loft insulation. Rigid insulation boards, cut to size to fit between joists are usually used for loft conversions. 

No matter what type of room you’re planning for your loft space, it’s unlikely that you won’t need an electrician on site at some point. To comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, ensure that work is undertaken by a qualified electrician. Keep your Electrical Installation Certificate in a safe place, should you ever need it for insurance or when you are selling your home. 

If you are adding a bathroom, make sure that plumbing is installed by a professional – the last thing you want is unreliable drainage or sanitation which is not up to regulation. Imagine the damage that could do to your home!

Creating a room which is set to be used regularly requires a permanent access point, so most ladders and retractable stairs are not permitted. This is because they need to be available and sturdy in case of fire. You also need to ensure there is enough headroom – around 2.3meters is ideal. Alongside the doorway and the stairs, if we were in any other room in the home there would be another escape route, in case of fire: the window. However, windows in loft spaces tend to be too high for people to use in this way, so the stairs have to meet fire safety requirements. Fire resisting doors and partitions will also need to be fitted. 

Windows will need to meet thermal efficiency standards. Check that your installer is FENSA and CERTASS registered before you take them on to do work. If you have windows installed with trickle vents, that will improve your ventilation and reduce the danger of mould or damp build up. Heating will also help with this. Electric heaters are a cheap and simple way to get heat into a loft. You can also extend a gas central heating system. Either way, you will need to ensure you work with a Gas Safe registered engineer or electrician to ensure it is installed safely – once again, make sure you get those certificates. 

Hire professionals 

To ensure that everything is covered off and will meet building and safety regulations, it’s best to hire professionals. Make sure that you check references and insurance details before you start to work with anyone – your safety is not something that should be compromised. If there is anything you are concerned about in terms of who you are working with or building regulations, it’s best to check with your local planning authority. 

If you would like to discuss your loft conversion requirements, please get in touch.