Basement v cellar
The UK 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 1200mm below the highest level of ground adjacent to the outside walls.’
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