Building regs, joist cutting?

[alanl]

Had to go into an attic today to do a little work.
Anyway, a new boiler was fitted a month ago, with 5 pipes running from one side of the attic to the other. To keep them level, the plumber has cut 5 holes through 2 ceiling joists, right in the middle of their 8 foot span.
The joists are roughly 5 inch by 2 inch.
Clearly, 5x 25mm holes in the middle of them is going to weaken the joist.
I was a little concerned when I saw it, but havent told the householder yet.

From my building regs book, no hole should be put into a joist at any more than 0.4x the length, so holes in the middle are clearly not allowed.
What to do?
Tell the householder, or just leave it?
I reckon an easy way out of it for the plumber is to screw some new length of wood on top of the existing to ensure their integrity.

 

[Pete999]

WTF did he cut the joists in the attic

 

[MDJ]

plumber .

any more foul language and I report you to Sintra or Marvo

 

[alanl]

The new boiler is sited in the attic.
Terrible location really, but I'm not sure there was much thought when it was fitted.

 

[ArseyDee]

Deffo tell the householder and point the finger of blame!

 

[bigspark17]

You didnt cut them.. Its not your property.. Keep your nose out! Simple

 

[telectrix]

amazed at that. plumbers usually cut half the joist away with a blunt axe.

 

[alanl]

Hmm, but if I was clueless to Building Regs, I'd be glad to be told that my ceiling joists may start sagging down as the plumber hasnt done his job properly.
It'd cost him less than £10 and 15 mins of his time to screw some new 3x2 lengths on top of the existing joists, and for the price that was charged, I'd expect a proper job.

But maybe I'm too picky, and should expect sub-standard work?

 

[telectrix]

keep shtum. you might be doing the householder out of a big claim.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Those joists in the attic are the worst ones to cut, and its a no no.

well, i mean, they're only holding the roof and tonnes of slate up, aren't they!

 

[MDJ]

The spark will get the blame. When he or she goes up into the roof to reconnect the earth clamps the Bummer removed they will fall through the ceiling and end up paying for the damage from their liability Insurance LOL

 

[Geordie Spark]

Don't quote me on this, but I think drilling and / or notching joists in lofts is not permitted.

 

[Octopus]

WTF didn't he just go over the joists??

 

[Pete999]

I meant what the flip

 

[MDJ]

WTF didn't he just go over the joists??

It is well know their brain is small compaired with others in the human species.

 

[Geordie Spark]

WTF didn't he just go over the joists??

I was wondering that myself as that's how I would do it.

Maybe there's going to be some floor boarding going in there, but even so it isn't right and in that situation maybe the pipes should have been clipped to the wall??

 

[kingeri]

Whilst on this topic, during a rewire I was pulled up on re-using existing holes in the joists (in cellar) to run my cables. Building control guy wanted me to drill new ones in the correct place. Even though the ones in the 'wrong' place were already there. I tried to point out that drilling more holes would only serve to weaken the joist further, but he wouldn't have it.

 

[Badged01]

Whilst on this topic, during a rewire I was pulled up on re-using existing holes in the joists (in cellar) to run my cables. Building control guy wanted me to drill new ones in the correct place. Even though the ones in the 'wrong' place were already there. I tried to point out that drilling more holes would only serve to weaken the joist further, but he wouldn't have it.

Tell me about it, LABC seem to have the book of what to do but have missed out on the book of common sense!

 

[Geordie Spark]

Whilst on this topic, during a rewire I was pulled up on re-using existing holes in the joists (in cellar) to run my cables. Building control guy wanted me to drill new ones in the correct place. Even though the ones in the 'wrong' place were already there. I tried to point out that drilling more holes would only serve to weaken the joist further, but he wouldn't have it.

You disappoint me you really do !!

Haven't you learned yet that you should NEVER try to argue with Policemen, Lunatics or Women with PMS.

See me after class !!

 

[Geordie Spark]

Tell me about it, LABC seem to have the book of what to do but have missed out on the book of common sense!

That is a banned publication nowadays, but I beleive it can be obtained from from under the counter of a "certain type" of bookstore for an extortionate price.