An open-plan loft apartment or flat is an open-plan space where living, working and kitchen areas merge into one fluid space. Of course, developers and landlords ideally want the bedroom to be separated from the rest of the space for privacy, but here one hits a problem - an almost uniquely British problem - because this is not allowed under standard UK guidance (Approved Document B to the Building Regulations in England and Wales and BS 5588: Part 1: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Code of practice for residential buildings).rnMany fire engineers have tried to develop solutions for open-plan or loft apartments/flats. Many design approaches have been rejected, but some have been accepted. This article reviews a process which has been successful in providing a robust means of demonstrating safety in open-plan loft apartments.
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