Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 10
The Conversion
Making a Start.
Having prepared rough plans to examine the roof structure's potential, the next step is to
prepare detailed plans and a specification and this must include a survey of the structure
below to assess its load bearing capacity.
The Survey
Obviously, accurate measurements of the existing building are important but attention
must be paid to the construction of walls, floor and roof. If drawings and specifications do
not exist for the property to be converted then the task of recreating these must be faced,
including establishing foundation location, size and depth.
It is worthwhile examining what exactly is desired of the conversion; for instance, if it is
intended to create storage only rather than habitable accommodation then the loading on
the floor below and consequently on the structure below that, may well be significantly
different.
The aspects to be carefully considered are as follows:
(1) The additional load of the new floors;
(2) The additional load of new walls;
(3) The additional load of new ceilings;
(4) The additional live load of the occupants and the fittings;
(5)
In the case of a third floor
, the additional weight of fire protection to walls around
stairwell;
(6)
In the case of the creation of flats
, the additional weight of the fire-resisting floor;
(7)
If the conversion is to be used as a home-based office
, the additional weight of office
equipment and storage of files.
