Building Regulation Overview
Lost at Sea is a museum exhibition within the Square Tower with some
external features to make the site more engaging and cohesive. It provides an
opportunity to engage visitors with the maritime history of Portsmouth and
underwater. At the moment, access to the Square Tower is only available for
certain events and even so access to the roof is even more limited.
Ground Floor Plan 1:150
Through this scheme, certain interventions have been put in place to achieve
a more enjoyable experience for all by applying building regulations and
adapting the design to apply as best possible. As a listed Grade 1 Building, this
has lead to some constraints to applying all of the regulations successfully,
however, the scheme complies as best as possible with some suggested
adaptations.
The design decisions made around the appliance of these regulations have
mostly informed the circulation and the placement of the displays and
artefacts. As the interior spaces are small, the museum isn’t overloaded with
information and therefore visitors can understand the narrative clearly in a
comfortable and safe space.
Part B: Fire Safety
To ensure the safety of all users from staff to visitors, the risks that could
occur have been identified and therefore passive and active fire prevention
and mitigation systems have been installed where necessary. The function of
the Square Tower falls under the purpose group ‘Assembly and Recreation,’
therefore the regulations applied are specific to this function whilst being
mindful of the historic value of the building.
Part K: Protection from falling, collisions and impact
Within the building, there are only two staircases, one is an original or early
feature which joins the roof with the first floor, whilst the other stair leads
from the ground floor to the first floor. By assessing what is already there and
considering what can be changed, the listing of this historic buildings has
some constraints, limiting the ability to apply building regulations, however
alternative solutions have been suggested so all floors are accessible with
appropriate safety measures in place including the handrail, (1.37) As stated
within Table 1.1, stairs which do not fit regulations as specified, alternate
solutions would need to be arranged with the relevant control body.
S
Part M: Access to and use of building
The accessibility of this building currently, is limited due to its constraints
of the existing fabric. Part M has been applied where necessary to provide
continued use in the long run. This includes the instalment of a passenger
lift (3.21) accommodating the circulation for turning space and passage ways
(3.11) as well as providing accessible uni-sex toilets (5.5) and counter service
(4.16)
All of these interventions aim to provide a comfortable experience for all
visitors.
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