Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 06, 2016 10:39 pm Hey guys, I'm currently building a house and I'm racing toward fixing stage being completed. I got told by my builder the other day that the door we chose for the laundry/backdoor isn't bushfire compliant (my block is BAL29) Due to this, the windowed door has now changed to a solid, windowless door. Because up until now, we had assumed that the natural light for the laundry would come from the window in the door, it's too late to put in a window to the laundry (besides, there wouldn't have been much room to do so). I realised the other day that the laundry and thus that corner of the hallway is now completely dark, the laundry hasn't a single bit of natural light, it is almost pitch black. Is there a requirement for a laundry to have a window? There are doors with windows in the bushfire range to choose from, but they're entrance doors and have designs that would just look stupid as a back door. Thanks Re: Requirement for Windows in rooms? 2Mar 07, 2016 9:43 am I have no idea about any requirements about windows but you could potentially put a skylight in after handover? To get the extra light (unless you are double storey?) Otherwise if you aren't too concerned about the BAL you could change the day over later yourselves to one with a window? My blog: tashandpaul.wordpress.com Re: Requirement for Windows in rooms? 3Mar 07, 2016 11:04 am For purposes of getting in natural light, you need a window that makes up 10% of the total floor space in your room, or 3% if you have skylights. The minimum natural light can be reduced down to 5% but no lower than 5% if in your adjacent rooms you have a lot higher window to floor space ratio. This applies to all rooms in your house. Re: Requirement for Windows in rooms? 4Mar 07, 2016 1:31 pm I was under the impression that only applies to habitable rooms. Because I've lived in houses where the WC/Toilet downstairs has no window, as does the walk in pantry, and in some cases even an ensuite. Hmmmm Re: Requirement for Windows in rooms? 5Mar 07, 2016 1:44 pm When we built ours, our builder said any room that's not a bathroom will be considered habitable. Just doing some quick googling, it appears you're correct, the Laundry isn't considered a habitable room Remember they can't change anything without your consent, you could perhaps get them to put in an annealed glass door, I believe they comply. It won't look great, but at least you'll get some natural light. Thanks Draftroom that definitely helps a heap. We are still at the very early stage of planning to see what kind of house would fit on our plot. While we are on a… 3 15767 There is evidence of water on the head reveals. That could have happened during the build, or may be happening currently. There are water stains above a couple of windows… 2 3830 Personally, considering your layout (study/work desks in bedrooms), I don't think you have any other option but to leave NW windows and make them as big as possible e.g.… 7 10470 |