Structural Engineering, Interior Design and Conservation
Extensive alterations are being carried out to this bungalow in Stroud by removing the original roof and forming a new roof that will allow additional rooms. Due to the configuration of stairs and windows, there was no room for standard attic trusses so all of the new trusses are formed on site with timber and plywood glued and screwed together.
Architect: Design Farm Architects
Contractor: James Bowers Building Company
Taking apart a house by removing the roof of this house in Crudwell with Jagged Edge Design architects. The proposal is to extend the useable floor space at first floor level by reconfiguring the roof.
An alert was issued recently by CROSS (Confidential Reporting on Structural safety) regarding the fixing of photovoltaic cells onto existing roofs.
The panels add weight to the roof which when added to snow and wind loading can bring the capacity of the roof to its capacity.
If the panels are not properly fixed, they can be blown off through wind suction loads.
Under snow loading, a sudden thaw on top of the smooth surface of the panel can lead to snow suddenly sliding off and causing injury to persons below.
The alterations to the roof form an alteration to the structure and needs to be assessed.
The effect of the additional weight and all of the fixings should be assessed by a suitably qualified person. This should be a Chartered Structural Engineer or in England and Wales this could also be somebody under a Competent Persons Scheme.
A full copy of the report is available here.