What is the Optimal Distance Between Single Family Homes?
A. Shiraz
single family homes? I am thinking that there must be some sort of
MINIMUM distance that should be maintained between single family homes
(when they are constructed).
This distance would contain grass and trees primarily and would ensure
clean air.
This sort of calculation is probably taken into account when fixing a
maximum number of people for a hall or a room? Incidentally what
factors are used to determine this maximum number of occupants of a
hall/ room/ meeting area?
Martin Clark
bcf8-e77...@t10g2000yqg.googlegroups.com:
> Has anyone done any work in defining the optimal distance between
> single family homes? I am thinking that there must be some sort of
> MINIMUM distance that should be maintained between single family homes
> (when they are constructed).
Will vary a bit with jurisdiction, but as a general guide:
(all dimensions in metres)
Minimum distance between detached dwellings from omp (outer-most
projection) for fire separation = 0.9m
For attached dwellings = 1 hour fire-rated wall (must extend full height
of building)
Common distance from omp habitable space <= 4.5m in height to boundary is
1.5m, therefore 3m between buildings. Sometimes different rules apply
where the are windows. Recommended distance where there are windows on
side elevations of adjoining detached dwellings is +/- 3.5 - 4m between
windows, more if the windows are bathrooms, "home theatres" and WCs - for
obvious reasons :-).
> This distance would contain grass and trees primarily and would ensure
> clean air.
Regrettably, the minimal distance between dwellings these days leaves
little scope for decent trees, and the grass strip is a nuisance rather
than a benefit.
Interestingly here in the Australian (humid) Tropics the recommended
distance between detached dwellings used to be 25m. Lucky if we get a
tenth of that now.
> This sort of calculation is probably taken into account when fixing a
> maximum number of people for a hall or a room? Incidentally what
> factors are used to determine this maximum number of occupants of a
> hall/ room/ meeting area?
There are few rules about maximum occupancy of residential space. Most
jurisdictions have minima for office space - usually 10m2 per person. Not
sure about auditorium space - haven't done one for a while. Type of
structure and budget will dictate the maximum space enclosed, and means
of escape in the event of fire will dictate the number of persons - the
more there are, the more space needed for required exit paths, distances
and exits.
Cheers
george conklin
"Martin Clark" <mcla...@aapt.net.au> wrote in message
news:Xns9DB3B23C38...@210.8.230.25...
> "A. Shiraz" <athar...@gmail.com> wrote in news:ca9c7698-6398-4fda-
> bcf8-e77...@t10g2000yqg.googlegroups.com:
>
>> Has anyone done any work in defining the optimal distance between
>> single family homes? I am thinking that there must be some sort of
>> MINIMUM distance that should be maintained between single family homes
>> (when they are constructed).
>
> Will vary a bit with jurisdiction, but as a general guide:
> (all dimensions in metres)
> Minimum distance between detached dwellings from omp (outer-most
> projection) for fire separation = 0.9m
> For attached dwellings = 1 hour fire-rated wall (must extend full height
> of building)
It would be nice if the codes in North Carolina were that strong. We
even had one whole row of new houses burn the ground at one time when fire
started outside one and spread quickly to all others, and even some across
the street. Common attics on row houses (called townhouses now) let fire
spread instantly.
Between single-family houses? The 10 feet minimum is close enough that
fire can jump there these days. Between houses is grass.
Planners would even like to see houses on 5,000 square foot lots next to
each others...common back walls. Then you would have slightly more yard to
use. Kind of like standing with your back next to your neighbor each
looking the other way and guessing you are alone -:).
As for fire protection, just today in the Durham NC papers is the story
of an apartment complex burning. My daughter pointed out that one apartment
fire in the papers was where she used to live while in college. One woman
died. Two college students were shown in the hospital with broken legs
jumping out of the window. They were new units when she lived there, and
quite mod looking. Just fire traps. New.
> Common distance from omp habitable space <= 4.5m in height to boundary is
> 1.5m, therefore 3m between buildings. Sometimes different rules apply
> where the are windows. Recommended distance where there are windows on
> side elevations of adjoining detached dwellings is +/- 3.5 - 4m between
> windows, more if the windows are bathrooms, "home theatres" and WCs - for
> obvious reasons :-).
>
>> This distance would contain grass and trees primarily and would ensure
>> clean air.
>
> Regrettably, the minimal distance between dwellings these days leaves
> little scope for decent trees, and the grass strip is a nuisance rather
> than a benefit.
>
So what is there if not grass? Concrete?
> Interestingly here in the Australian (humid) Tropics the recommended
> distance between detached dwellings used to be 25m. Lucky if we get a
> tenth of that now.
>
Planning always seems to lower the quality of life in the name of
packing more people into less and less space.
>> This sort of calculation is probably taken into account when fixing a
>> maximum number of people for a hall or a room? Incidentally what
>> factors are used to determine this maximum number of occupants of a
>> hall/ room/ meeting area?
>
> There are few rules about maximum occupancy of residential space. Most
> jurisdictions have minima for office space - usually 10m2 per person. Not
> sure about auditorium space - haven't done one for a while. Type of
> structure and budget will dictate the maximum space enclosed, and means
> of escape in the event of fire will dictate the number of persons - the
> more there are, the more space needed for required exit paths, distances
> and exits.
>
> Cheers
>
With small families these days, no one seems to care about how many
people live in one dwelling unit. But they are supposed to be related which
limits the number in practice. If you rent out rooms, you are in violation
of so many laws.....
troppo
news:6qednRbUgtBB4qHR...@earthlink.com:
>
> "Martin Clark" <mcla...@aapt.net.au> wrote in message
> news:Xns9DB3B23C38...@210.8.230.25...
>> "A. Shiraz" <athar...@gmail.com> wrote in news:ca9c7698-6398-4fda-
>> bcf8-e77...@t10g2000yqg.googlegroups.com:
>>
>>> Has anyone done any work in defining the optimal distance between
>>> single family homes? I am thinking that there must be some sort of
>>> MINIMUM distance that should be maintained between single family
>>> homes (when they are constructed).
>>
>> Will vary a bit with jurisdiction, but as a general guide:
>> (all dimensions in metres)
>> Minimum distance between detached dwellings from omp (outer-most
>> projection) for fire separation = 0.9m
>
>> For attached dwellings = 1 hour fire-rated wall (must extend full
>> height of building)
> It would be nice if the codes in North Carolina were that strong.
> We
> even had one whole row of new houses burn the ground at one time when
> fire started outside one and spread quickly to all others, and even
> some across the street. Common attics on row houses (called
> townhouses now) let fire spread instantly.
Hi George,
Yep - pretty much guaranteed to happen where there's no barrier in the
roof space. Paralysis of the will with the regulators, but I wonder why
the insurance companies don't pile on the pressure?
Regrettably, yes. Sometimes preferable to plants or landscaping. A recent
phenomenon with smaller lots here is back yards filling with water during
heavy rainstorms. There used to be a rule requiring a "positive above-
ground stormwater path" but that seems to have gone, common sense not
being common any more.
>
>> Interestingly here in the Australian (humid) Tropics the recommended
>> distance between detached dwellings used to be 25m. Lucky if we get a
>> tenth of that now.
>>
>
> Planning always seems to lower the quality of life in the name of
> packing more people into less and less space.
Children with no room to develop motor skills in the real world - only in
virtual worlds ...
>
>>> This sort of calculation is probably taken into account when fixing
>>> a maximum number of people for a hall or a room? Incidentally what
>>> factors are used to determine this maximum number of occupants of a
>>> hall/ room/ meeting area?
>>
>> There are few rules about maximum occupancy of residential space.
>> Most jurisdictions have minima for office space - usually 10m2 per
>> person. Not sure about auditorium space - haven't done one for a
>> while. Type of structure and budget will dictate the maximum space
>> enclosed, and means of escape in the event of fire will dictate the
>> number of persons - the more there are, the more space needed for
>> required exit paths, distances and exits.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>
> With small families these days, no one seems to care about how
> many
> people live in one dwelling unit. But they are supposed to be related
> which limits the number in practice. If you rent out rooms, you are
> in violation of so many laws.....
Can be tricky defining the term "relative". Locally, there have been
challenges to a very narrow definition on the grounds of discrimination,
but the situation has been tightened up following a disastrous fire in a
"backpackers" facility. If the number of separate tenancies exceeds 5
individuals, a whole raft of requirements kicks in. Fire service reckons
that only about 10% of these get picked up.
Regards,
Martin Clark