Height of Ceilings.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20624, 27 May 1935, Page 6

Height of Ceilings.

Building By-laws

Health Department Seeks Uniformity.

(Special to the '* Star.”) AUCKLAND, This Day. ENDEAVOUR to secure uniformity of local body b} r -laws in regard to the building of dwelling houses is indicated in a circular letter issued by the Department of Health to local bodies. It states that the Minister of Health has recently had his attention drawn to the fact that the building by-laws of a number of local authorities provide that dwelling houses shall have ceilings of a minimum height in excess of eight feet. The circular points out that the model by-laws of the Department of Health established a minimum height of eight feet. Several of the cities and boroughs in the Dominion now permitted an eight feet minimum. “ There is chaos at the present time,” continues the circular, “ with varying heights set down in the different local body by-laws, and it would undoubtedly be a benefit to the building public if uniformity could be reached.” The establishment of a minimum height of rooms was a perpetuation of the old theory of ventilation, which required so many cubic feet of air space for each person in any room, stated the circular. It was now established beyond question that proper ventilation was comprised of many more factors than these, such as temperature and humidity, and, in particular, air movement. “In point of fact the additional height in a room above the head of a window performs no useful purpose in ventilation,” states the circular. A low room, with the head of the window near the ceiling, provided for much more adequate and satisfactory ventilation than a room where the ceiling was several feet above the head of the window. In a reference to the practice in Britain the circular states that the British Department of Health, which controls housing, “ actually declines any Government funds on loans to housing schemes where the height of the rooms is more than eight feet, while the minimum height of 7ft Gin is permitted.” It was realised to-day that all the wall above the height of the window, beyond that which was necessary, was only an additional cost in building, in brick or wood, and in plaster or paint ■work. When economy was so essential it was vital to consider this fact. The letter also stressed the point that a reduction in the height of buildings would provide greater resistance against earthquakes. The department’s letter requests all local bodies to consider the matters raised and expresses the hope that they will favourably view the question of adopting a bylaw providing for a minimum of eight feet.