Transportable Unit

[MeFil]

So here is a question. Let's say I've got a portacabin type building that is being prepared to be taken to a site. Once at the site it is going to be permanently sited, set in the ground, never to move for at least five years.

Is it still a transportable building?

Any opinions??

 

[Andy™]

well it is 'of the transportable type, e.g containers or cabins'. so yes, its a transportable building

 

[kerching]

Well, a mobile home has wheels. When sited it is put up on stands/blocks and wheels removed ( usually) BUT it is still classed as a mobile home!, even though it is just a glorified caravan

So, t hat probably has not really helped, sorry

 

[MeFil]

Yep, but when it is sited, it will connected to a permanent supply. Does that change things?

 

[steptoe]

its not a permanent supply though, unless it is on a VERY looooooooong lead

the building is still portable, so its NOT permanent, so the supply, by default, cannot be permanent either.

 

[MeFil]

Once on site the building is going to be set into the ground, and the permanent supply will be connected directly to the distribution board, not via a plug and socket arrangement.

My personal opinion is that it's still a transportable building. But 717.1 defines a transportable building as being connected to temporary supply via a means of plug and socket for example.

Im interested in other points of view To see if a case for it being a permanent building could be made.

 

[NozSpark]

Of course it's transportable,,, you can pick it up with a hiab in one go

 

[Andy™]

it doesnt say it must be by plug and socket, that is an example. and its also not there in amd3

 

[apprentice87]

Yes, I think from memory the regs talk about a transportable "type" building....  I "think" [but have no real idea!] that the idea around this is the type of construction of the thing. What I think they are getting at, and remember, this is just a guess from what i can remember, is that, in most cases, we would have a construction with a metal frame, up off the ground, so not really in contact with the mass of earth. An earth fault, and an earthing problem, and the whole thing could be live. Now go and try to open the door...... [That is before you even start to think about TNCS]. Like i said, i have not got the regs here with me, not read them for yonks, but, there we are!!!

john...

 

[ProDave]

The fact is it is it is capable of being transported. So it IS a portable building. Even if you never ever intend to move it.

There is a loophole in the law that some self builders use, if they want to build a small single storey dwelling, you can build it so it is capable of being transported, and it can be classed as a mobile home and be exempt from building regulations.

the Highland council have even published a guidance not to clarify what qualifies as a "mobile home" and it doesn't even have to have wheels to qualify. As long as it can be lifted by a crane, then it's considered mobile.

 

[steptoe]

isnt that how stables etc get around planning laws?

even if they have a brick lower wall, the top half/ 3/4 of the walls are not permanent,,,,

bit like a shed really, mine is on a concrete base, bolted down, but, its still not a permanent building, even if it is hardwired with a buried 10mm SWA,

I'm not 100%, but, I'd go with Noz's idea that if a hiab [or crane even], can lift it then its deffo NOT a permanent structure,

 

[ProDave]

Like I say, the devil is in the detail. It only has to be capable of being moved. nobody ever said it has to be easy to move it.

 

[Sharpend]

Hang on Dave, I could dismantle my house brick by brick does that make it transportable?

 

[ProDave]

Hang on Dave, I could dismantle my house brick by brick does that make it transportable?

NO

The definition says it must be capable of being transported in one or 2 units, not thousands.

 

[Sharpend]

It's ok Dave I don't intend to carry each brick, should get them in two trucks though! :innocent

 

[steptoe]

It's ok Dave I don't intend to carry each brick, should get them in two trucks though! :innocent

you need a bigger truck...!!!!

one would do, 

 

[ProDave]

If you are that interested, the text is here

http://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/1346/bst_018_caravans_and_mobile_homes

I can't cut and paste from a PDF so you will have to downaload it and read it for yourselves.

 

[NozSpark]

NO

The definition says it must be capable of being transported in one or 2 units, not thousands.

But the Americans manage to move a regular building in one go

 

[Evans Electric]

It was transported to site :  ergo its a transportable building , my case rests M'lud.

Its like saying.... I was born in a garage , does that mean I'm a car ? 

One chromasone less and I'd be an ape   or a Y instead of of an X and I'd be a lady .  

Or born 50 miles further south and Steps would be an Englishman .  150 miles further & he'd be a Brummie.

What the hell am I talking about ?

 

[binky]

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