Loft Conversion If you want to know how your DIY projects could be affected by building and planning regulations, click here to post questions and view answers

[mandysaunders]

Hi would someone answer a queston for me? We had a loft conversion a while ago the thing i want to know is why did we have to have door closers on all the other doors in the house? which is a right pain. If we take them off would it affect our house insurance?

[eljaybee]

The reason for the door closers is that prior to April 2006 it was a requirement of the Building Regulations that on a loft conversion making a house 3 storeys then door closers were to be fitted to the existing doors.

It's for means of escape in case of fire.

However in April 2006 the requirement was changed and door closers no longer required BUT all of the doors from rooms onto the hall stairs and landing have to be changed for fire doors with a minimum fire resistance of 20minutes (normal 30 minute doors are fitted)

You know insurance companies - They'll do anything to get out of paying out. So if you removed them and had a fire and they found out they may use it as an excuse not to pay up.