Manual on the preparation of state-aided housing schemes.

Date:
1919
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Manual on the preparation of state-aided housing schemes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The main provision of accommodation should be the same as in urban districts, with about double the larder area and the addition of the necessary separate out-buildings for closet and the storage of fuel and garden tools and produce. 6. Design and Construction. 10. It is of the greatest importance that simplicity in design should be carefully studied, and no features which are merely decorative should be introduced. Economy in maintenance should be considered in conjunction with capital cost. All materials employed should be of a durable kind and of a good quality. Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of securing good workmanship. 11. Materials —Suitable materials that can be obtained within a reasonable distance of the locality of the intended buildings should be employed as largely as possible, instead of importing them from a distance. 12. Brick Walls.—Brick walls should preferably be 11 in. cavity walls without special provision for air currents through the cavity. The porosity of brickwork and its joints is sufficient for the necessary change of air and if the cavity is ventilated its usefulness as a non-conductor of heat or cold is destroyed. - In most localities a 9 in. solid brick wall without external protection will not be weatherproof, and in some exposed situations special precautions will be necessary even with 11 in. cavity walls. The same considerations with regard to exposed situations also apply to concrete walls. In some cases, 9 in. solid walls protected by rough cast may be found adequate and, at the same time, cheaper than hollow walls. In these matters, local authorities should be guided by local conditions. 13. Concrete Walls —If the walls are intended to be constructed in concrete they should be built with a continuous cavity and precautions taken against condensation of moisture on the inner face. A suitable wall would have a 4 in. inner face, a 3 in. outer face, and a 2 in. cavity. 14. Metal Lathing and Cement.—Construction of steel or wood covered with metal lathing and cement is not desirable. This objection does not apply to reinforced concrete construction where all the metal is encased in concrete and protected from rust, but this form of construction has hitherto proved unduly expensive for cottages. 15. Stone Walls.—When transit difficulties and scarcity of bricks on the one hand, and available quarries and mason labour on the other hand, render the use of stone advisable and economical, the usual customs of the locality in regard to stone building may be followed. Bath and similar stone ashlar, machine cut to 43 in. beds and to courses equal to two or three built brick courses, would be suitable in stone districts for the outer part of cavity walls, the internal part being of brick. 16, Other Materials and Methods of Construction.—Any other materials and methods of construction proposed will be considered on their merits. 17. Ventilating Bricks —All bricks built into walls for ventilating purposes should be covered on the back with coarse perforated zinc or fine galvanised wire mesh to prevent the entry of vermin, and proper casing to the flue must be provided where it crosses the wall cavity. 18. Roofs—Broken roofs and dormers should be avoided as far as possible. The coverings should be tiles or slates. If substitutes are proposed they should be of proved suitability and durability. Thin slates are not desirable. Tile roofs should generally not be at a less pitch than 45 degrees, nor slates than 30 degrees, above the horizontal. The adoption of flat roofs of reinforced concrete or other approved construction may be found desirable in special circumstances. Roof construction of light steel inaccessible for painting, or not protected from rust, cannot be approved. ' 19. Plaster—The internal plastering should possess the quality of hardness and be absorbent of condensed moisture. 20. loors.—The building in of timber wall plates to carry the joists of upper floors should be avoided in external solid walls. The ground floors should generally be of solid construction, but if formed with wooden joists, separate sleeper walls or piers are desired, with the plates and wall ends of the joists kept clear of the main walls. The floors of living-rooms and parlours, if on the solid and of wood, should be laid on bitumen. 21. Staivs.—The treads should not be less than 9 in. on the solid, and the rise of each step not more than 73 in. Winders should be avoided, but if necessary they should be at the bottom of the flight and not at the top. Hand rails should be provided. 22. Fireplace Openings.—The widths of fireplace openings should not be less than :— - 3 ft. for cooking ranges. 1 ft. 6 in. for parlours. 1 ft. 14 in. for bedrooms. Special ranges would require special openings. 23. Windows.—The height of window sills from the floor for living rooms and bedrooms should be about 2 ft. 6 in., and the window area not less than one-tenth of the floor area, with adequate opening parts. For sculleries 3 ft. 6 in. so that sink taps may be fixed clear of the windows. For w.c.s 4 ft. 6 in., and if possible not behind the seat. For larders fixed sashes, the panes of which are filled with perforated zinc, should be used. 24. Water Service-—Proper precaufions must be taken to protect cisterns and pipes from frost.