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.
Construction Management, 8 July
NEETs crisis drives interest in trades, but apprenticeships barriers remain.
Passive fire protection webinar
MEP services penetration seals.
Where its at podcast (and video) - The role of the Architectural Technologist as an Expert Witness.
More than 200 remarkable buildings added to SAVE’s Buildings at Risk register.
Government scraps pre-application consultation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Historic England and infrastructure
New projects offer opportunities for the historic environment and local communities.
Construction Management, 2 July
Construction deaths halve in two years.
Green Book changes to drive investment in all parts of UK.
Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES)
CIAT briefing on response to consultations for privately rented non-domestic properties.
Connect, collaborate, shape the future
Registration now live for UK Construction Week Birmingham.
CIOB announces Saul Humphrey FCIOB as new President for 26/27 term.
A quick, simple, and zero-bills solution to prevent overheating.