Downstairs toilet conversion

[F]

We're thinking of converting a walk-in pantry off the kitchen into a downstairs toilet.

In the belief that you can't have access to a toilet from a kitchen, the idea is to put a studded partition across the pantry around a foot in from the door and hang shelves from it. Behind the partition would be the new toilet with access through a door newly installed in the hallway/pantry wall. Drainage would be through the wall opposite the new door and into an existing cast iron toilet downpipe which runs down the inside wall of the garage.

I'm sure that all of this would need building regs permission (but not planning regs) but I'm being told that I'm wrong and no permissions are needed. Can we really go ahead with this with no permissions?

TIA

[geoff]

In message , F writes

I think you need two doors between the kitchen and the toilet

[Cash]

You will need building control approval as a number of operations will have to comply with the building regulations - and as the alterations are wholly internal, then planning permission generally would not be required.

To get accurate information, I would suggest that you contact the Building Control Department of your local council and ask them what permissions are required - and the costs of them.

As you have stated that you have been "told that I'm wrong and no permissions are needed" - could you tell the group where that information came from please - i.e. a professional or amateur source?

Cash

[<me9]

I think that is no longer necessary. The requirement is that hand washing facilities are needed between the bog and kitchen -- could be in the bog (not pan!).

[The Natural Philosopher]

I think it still is required. Along with local washing facilities.

Does anyone else remember that memorable folk song about various girlfriends:

'but she took the dishes out first' ;-)

[F]

An amateur...

[The Medway Handyman]

I thought that as well, but working in a house with a brand new kitchen extension recently I found the bog directly accessable from the kitchen. Owner mentioned the hand wash thingy. BCO approved it apparently, but needs to be checked out by the OP with his local dept.

[sm_jamieson]

I had a look at this. No requirment for 2 doors any more, as long as hand washing facilities in the toilet room. The two doors was harking back to the days when they thought smells carried germs, and it was supposed to be a type of air lock. Building regs are in theory required - maybe not for the drainage, since you are connecting to an existing downpipe, but at least for ventilation. Unless there is a loophole since it is a type of room conversion.

I am putting in such a loo in the corner of my kitchen (not a conversion of anything), and the door is going in the hall rather than the kitchen. A loo directly off a kitchen does not seem ideal. Simon.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Think you're right - the regs changed. I have a pal who used to convert big old houses in poor areas into small flats for rental - and at one time you did need a ventilated corridor between a bog and kitchen but that changed many years ago. In London at least.

[Hugo Nebula]

On Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:43:57 +0100, a certain chimpanzee, F randomly hit a keyboard and produced:

A new WC/toilet will require a Building Regulations application(1). You don't need a lobby between the toilet and a food preparation area(2), but you do need a wash-basin in the toilet, and either an extract fan or an opening window in the toilet.

(1) For the benefit of whoever's telling you no 'permissions'(3) are needed, you can quote Regulation 3(1)(c); "building work means...the material alteration of...a controlled service or fitting".

(2) Likewise, Approved Document G, Section 1.2 says, "a space containing a closet...should be separated by a door from a space used for the preparation of food".

(3) The Building Regulations don't give 'permission' or otherwise; they just say *how* something should be done.

[F]

Thanks for the responses, we know what we need to do now.