Basement v cellar
The Building Regulations Approved Document F, 'Ventilation' suggests that, in relation to dwellings, a basement:
'...is a dwelling or a usable part of a dwelling (i.e. a habitable room), that is situated partly or entirely below ground level.'
Whereas a cellar:
'... is part of a dwelling which is situated partly of entirely below ground level, and is distinct from a basement in that it is used only for storage, heating plant or purposes other than habitation.'
NB: Approved document B, Fire Safety, Volume 1 Dwelling houses, defines a ‘basement storey’ as ‘A storey with a floor which at some point is more than 1,200 mm below the highest level of ground adjacent to the outside walls.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Approved documents.
- Attic v loft.
- Basement.
- Basement excavation.
- Basement impact assessment.
- Basement waterproofing.
- Bathroom definition.
- Crawl space.
- Dwellinghouse.
- Flat definition.
- Household.
- Planning (Subterranean Development) Bill.
- Residential definition.
- Right of support.
- Safe room.
- Sanitary accommodation.
- Storey.
- Types of room.
- Utility room.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Your views needed - a strategy for the professions, trades and occupations.
Confronting competency, codes, capacity and costs.
The hidden risk in modern construction supply chains.
Construction Management, 10 June
24 months to 14: CITB launches accelerated apprenticeships.
Bridging the gap between clients and contractors
Concerns remain around contractor quality, capability, and delivery.
Construction Management, 10 June.
Heat pumps beat boilers in new home tests.
Building Safety Act implementation in Wales
CIAT to host industry panel on 26 June.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.