Erection of new nursery/hobbies building in rear garden of large house, Gwendolen Avenue, Putney, London SW15

I was asked to provide help to get building regulation approval for a new single-storey timber framed and clad building of modern design that was intended for dual use as a hobbies room or extension of nursery facilities for the main building. The new building was set in the large back garden and was close to the site boundary therefore attracting the requirement for fire resistance in the boundary wall to prevent fire spread to adjoining property. Being timber clad it raised questions of acceptability in terms of fire spread. I examined the design under all aspects of the fire regulations, made suggestions for, and prepared a report on, improvement of the fire response of the structure in terms of internal/external fire spread, means of escape, emergency lighting, fire detection and alarm systems (linked to the main building) and fire appliance access.

Client: Designer/manufacturer of the building system (Rooms Outdoor Limited).