Really need to chat with one of the Scottish members who know their Parts B & F for Scotland

[Rockingit]

And here's why....

My long suffering Aussie owns a place in Scotland that's been rented out ever since she foolishly decided to move down with me years ago. It's a beautiful place which is mostly why she/we've kept it on, part of a conversion of dwellings from an originally much larger complex probably all done around the mid 80's (that's a guess), much of it is listed to some extent and her/our place is an 'upper' dwelling - what in the South we'd refer to as a Maisonette - so it's a two story dwelling that starts a floor up. It straddles a building on street level which is an old cafe, currently being totally gutted back to bare everything and refurbed. This has been brought to our attention because in the process of exposing everything it's been found that we've got a lead CW riser that needs replacing and the tenant was informed. That's not my question for here....

Given that they've completely ripped down the ceiling underneath our floor joists and will be installing a basically commercial kitchen, what are the requirements for fire barrier time, linked alarms, extraction and ventilation? Because the new owners have all the hallmarks of being..... cheapskate twits..... (replace with non mod-friendly term of readers choice ) and my threshold for patience has already been exceeded. I've yet to drive up (8+ hrs...) to have a look for myself but I'm not expecting it to be pretty.

I also will be taking a very dim view on any proposals by them for stuffing the joist cavity with insulation that might cause derate to happen and/or fire-rate downlights, etc etc etc.

 

[littlespark]

Where in Scotland? The local council building control might be interested in a visit…

Not versed in the parts b and f… but that’s what architects and building control are for.

Your “Aussie” or your Auntie?

 

[pirate]

Yes, whereabouts in Scotland?
As @littlespark said Building Control should be monitoring this, especially if Listed Building Consent is required for any of the works. I have found that BC are not very interested per se, but the Listed guys and gals are usually sh something hot.
My advice is to write/email the BC and express your concerns right away so it is on record. At best this may trigger an inspection if they haven't yet done one, at least it may mean that they confirm to you that the appropriate consents have all been applied for and granted.
Also, even if no listed consent was required, it's important to voice your concerns asap because as we all know certain "builders" will skimp on materials and can throw up a ceiling in a matter of hours, covering up any shortcomings. The peculiar way BC works here means that they don't issue a Completion Certificate themselves. Rather, the contractor submits a form stating the works have been completed in terms of the Building Warrant, and thereafter BC will issue a letter stating that they accept the contractors submission. This means BC don't always inspect the finished works and basically have no liability if it later transpires the contractor was economical with the truth.
Good luck!

 

[Rockingit]

@littlespark and @pirate - I'll DM you!

Oh, and it's Aussie = Australian

 

[Jock from the north]

And here's why....

My long suffering Aussie owns a place in Scotland that's been rented out ever since she foolishly decided to move down with me years ago. It's a beautiful place which is mostly why she/we've kept it on, part of a conversion of dwellings from an originally much larger complex probably all done around the mid 80's (that's a guess), much of it is listed to some extent and her/our place is an 'upper' dwelling - what in the South we'd refer to as a Maisonette - so it's a two story dwelling that starts a floor up. It straddles a building on street level which is an old cafe, currently being totally gutted back to bare everything and refurbed. This has been brought to our attention because in the process of exposing everything it's been found that we've got a lead CW riser that needs replacing and the tenant was informed. That's not my question for here....

Given that they've completely ripped down the ceiling underneath our floor joists and will be installing a basically commercial kitchen, what are the requirements for fire barrier time, linked alarms, extraction and ventilation? Because the new owners have all the hallmarks of being..... cheapskate twits..... (replace with non mod-friendly term of readers choice ) and my threshold for patience has already been exceeded. I've yet to drive up (8+ hrs...) to have a look for myself but I'm not expecting it to be pretty.

I also will be taking a very dim view on any proposals by them for stuffing the joist cavity with insulation that might cause derate to happen and/or fire-rate downlights, etc etc etc.

Is there a building warrant for works ,it certinaly seems there should be .has this been applied for I would refer to the scottish building standards division. Sbs.it would certainly need pink fire rated plaster board in kitchen . Consult your local planning office.