I'm building a thermalite wall between my garage and what will be a utility room. This wall will have a door through. What size gap should I leave for the door and frame ? Is there a standard size ? This will be a firedoor if it makes any difference.
Many thanks.
In message , tzd3sw writes
I'm not sure about standard sizes but the ones I recently bought are 30" X 78" Two points I found when I had a similar situation were. Firstly the BCO insisted on an automatic door closer, I used one of the spring loaded chains that fitted into the hinge side of the door.
Secondly it was also necessary to have a step down into the garage from the utility room so that any fuel spills in the garage could not flow into the house.
Standard door widths, 762mm or 838mm. Add 3mm gap + 32mm lining + 5mm tolerance on each side, so opening in blockwork = 80mm larger than door. Standard door height = 1981mm. Add 3mm gap + 32mm lining + 5mm tolerance, so height of opening under lintel needs to be 2021mm above finished floor level. You could allow a bit extra for carpets etc, or trim the door to clear them later.
Peter
Buy your frame, and build it in. This will make it easier to get a good fixing, and you will be dead on for size.
J.B.
I'd say AT LEAST 5mm tolerance. MAke sure the opening in the blockwork is too big because it's easy to pack out the frame.
30" x 78" is still the standard size despite metricificationNick Brooks
this is way easier. Or for those of us framing as we go, attach hinge side of frame, attach door, put up other side of frame. It really is far easier than mucking about trying to make everything fit later.
Regards, NT
Thanks guys, Just the info I wanted. I think I'll get the frame and build as I go - good advice as usual.
I do worry about some of the legislation though. Whats the point of building a doorway suitable for getting a wheelchair through only to have to have a step down into the garage!!
More not "joined up" legislation . . . .
Tim
I suppose that even if you put a ramp on the step for a wheelchair user to use it would be unlikely that fuel could flow uphill into the house
NB
tzd3sw wrote
Hi Tim
It probably doesn't apply to you here, but while it is simpler to build in a frame as you go, this is only OK for softwood painted frames. Anything unpainted like hardwood is probably going to get stained and damaged by plaster and other subsequent work. A temporary frame is the way around this.
Normal wheelchairs will go through a 762mm (2'6")wide door opening but this is really the minimum if you want to spare your knuckles. A 838mm (2'9") door is better if you have the space. Legal requirements for care premises require minimum 800mm clear opening width, so if the door only opens 90° then you need to add the door thickness and the handle projection!
AFAIK there is no legislation that says the connecting door from an integral garage into a dwelling has to be suitable for wheelchairs (even though that's a good idea). I guess the regulations assume wheelchair users will use the main garage door and then go into the house via the dedicated disabled-access point if they can't manage the step. The intention of the step is to prevent fuel and heavier-than-air gases from entering the house causing a fire or a noxious fumes hazard, so if you have the space it could be argued that a ramp will work just as well. If the BCO insists on a step then you could ask him about the possibility of a grant towards a wheelchair lift!
Peter (PS - don't forget you may be able to get VAT zero-rating on this work)
Taping paper over the frame solved that - though I did have to replace a bit of paper as it got torn. I reckon thats a quicker option anyway, and it worked for me. Perhaps if youre paying a high price for specialist timbers you might want to view it differently.
Regards, NT
Ah. Thats not allowed either :-)
Well at least ONE of et exterior doors t our 'princial storey' must have hard standing for a vehicle and ramp access to it.
Essentially you cannot bult houses that opnly have steps to get into them. Period. And you can;t have them totally gravelled up drivewise either.
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