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Building Regulations and Standards: Regulations or standards for a hut?

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorWul
    • CommentTimeJan 12th 2014
     
    I'm building a small, shepherds style, hut which will go in my garden for my wife to do her crafts in. It will be insulated and have a small 3Kw wood buring stove and also an electric panel heater of 2Kw or less. It will also be on wheels (an old caravan chassis). My brother and one of my friends have said they may be interested in buying one from me and I'm thinking it could perhaps become a business one day. My brother may let his hut out to holiday makers as he lives in scenic countryside.
    My concern is that of someone were buying or renting one of these huts and, god forbid, there was a fire or some other problem and someone got hurt, where I would stand as the hut's builder/ vendor? My response to this concern is to build the hut in line with existing regulations. The problem is I can't find any regulations or standards that seems relevant. I have heard of regulations around heating small, portable building but I think that's more to do with heat loss/ energy etc. than safety.

    Can someone point me in the direction of any building regulations or standards or good practice which are for small, mobile buildings/huts? Or even confirm if such regulation exists?
      DSCF6852.jpg
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeJan 12th 2014 edited
     
    Your post raises a lot of issues. I don't think your wife would have a problem using it as a shed in your garden but renting one out is likely to be more problematic.

    I believe Mobile Homes and vehicles are exempt from the building regulations but there is quite a strict definition of what a mobile home and a vehicle is. Too many people have tried putting houses on wheels to try and get around various planning rules and regulations.

    Planning Permission (PP) also applies to the use of the land as well as buildings on it. So, for example, you don't need PP to park a caravan on your driveway but you do need PP if you are going to rent it out as a separate dwelling. There is a 28 day exemption for short term use. For example I believe you can use a paddock as a camp site for 28 days a year without needing PP but that might not be long enough for your brothers purpose.

    Google suggests your brother might need to look at:

    The mobile home act of 1983
    The 1968 caravan act
    The Caravan Sites And Control Of Development Act 1960 (All mobile home sites have to be licensed)
    The Landlord and Tenant Act 1988 (includes all rented homes including park/mobile homes)

    Getting any sort of liability insurance might be tricky.

    http://www.padstowlive.com/dbimgs/EPCs%20for%20Holiday%20lets%20-%20final%20FAQs-JB1%20(2).pdf

    Says..

    "What about mobile homes, caravans and park homes?
    An EPC is only required for a building or part of building which has walls, a roof
    and an energy conditioned interior. Mobile homes, caravans and park homes are
    not considered to be buildings as defined and are exempt."

    ..but does it meet the definition of a "mobile home"?

    http://www.lifesure.co.uk/blog/2012/05/your-mobile-home-the-pros-and-cons-of-letting-it-out/

    Says...

    "..you will need to ensure that you have a ‘Landlords Gas Safety Record’ displayed in your caravan. All electrical appliances will also need to have a P.A.T (Portable Appliance Test) annually. Every three years an electrical wiring test and certificate will be required."
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeJan 12th 2014
     
    Fire regs?...

    http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/resources/owner-advice/buy-to-let-guide-for-your-holiday-home/uk:-the-regulatory-reform-(fire-safety)-order/a-1-29-1586/

    "In October 2006, the 'Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005' came into effect in and replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law. The changes made replaced the need for fire certificates, which have now been abolished and no longer have legal status.

    The new legislation affects all businesses and places where anyone could conceivably be at risk should a fire occur. This includes all forms of sleeping accommodation, such as self-catering properties and B&Bs or guesthouses sleeping up to six guests, which were not previously affected."





    ...
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeJan 12th 2014
     
    Perhaps ask somewhere like this what problems they had..

    http://www.underthethatch.co.uk/gypsy-caravan-holidays/
    • CommentAuthorWul
    • CommentTimeJan 12th 2014
     
    Thanks CWatters for all your links etc.
    I have tried contacting one existing hut builder builder, but they did not respond. However a holiday let co. may be more helpful.
    I can see that it could be "a minefield" but lots of people are building shepherd's huts and lots of people are letting them out, so it's not impossible. I suspect that the small size of a hut and the fact that is mobile will negate a lot of planning/building control issues, however I do want to build responsibly and safely.
    Maybe I'm approaching this the wrong way, and should ask an architect for a standard "approved" timber wall construction and roof construction and just use those elements in my build? (they will probably be too heavy though)
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeJan 12th 2014
     
    The 17th Edition has special rules for caravans (and boats). With boats all the cabling has to be multi-strand and fixed differently. There is also different earthing methods used.
    By avoiding any combustion you reduce a lot of the problems.
    • CommentAuthorWul
    • CommentTimeJan 16th 2014
     
    Hi Steamy Tea,

    You say: "By avoiding any combustion you reduce a lot of the problems".

    Do you mean avoiding combustible materials in the actual fabric of the building or avoiding having combustion taking place within the building, i.e. wood stove?
    Thanks. Wul.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeJan 17th 2014
     
    Not burning in the hut, though a fireproof shack does no harm either.
    • CommentAuthorWul
    • CommentTimeJan 20th 2014
     
    Having taken advice more widely, it seems essentially that this type of building does not fall under regulation. My only way forward is to build safely and sensibly.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeJan 20th 2014
     
    Posted By: WulHaving taken advice more widely, it seems essentially that this type of building does not fall under regulation. My only way forward is to build safely and sensibly.

    Probably not any harder anyway.
    Watched Guy Martyn breaking the UK peddle bike record and he said 'we are going to develop it until it can't go wrong'
    Seemed sound advice.

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