ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information about how to establish the feasibility of converting a loft area into a habitable space. It presents account applicable parts of the Building Regulations and how they relate to a design for a loft conversion. The chapter describes the surveys that should be undertaken to assess whether the proposal is feasible and to ensure that adequate structure can be provided. An assessment should be made of the space available, including the floor area, headroom, means of access, means of escape, means of daylighting and ventilation, and structure, in order to establish the feasibility of conversion. The loft as three-dimensional space and the type of existing roof determines the feasibility of loft conversion. The floor area, pitch of the roof and existing roof structure may make conversion difficult. In such cases the entire roof may need to be replaced. It is likely that existing above-ground drainage systems will be incorporated into the design of loft conversion.
