Is a children's room allowed in the attic?

Good evening,

we have now had the first talks with construction contractors. The plan is a house (6 bedrooms) with a 45° gable roof to accommodate two bedrooms there. So in the converted attic. Among other things, we have model houses where these floors are specified as rooms each about 7 sqm in size. Furthermore, the two-family houses in this area are currently being built with a larger gable window on top – so there is a room hidden there. Two contractors have taken this into account and are trying to accommodate 6 bedrooms in the house this way. But two others clearly decline. Bedrooms in the attic are not allowed! Due to fire and rescue protection. Here I read information online about, for example, windows that must meet a certain size and stairs that must be properly passable (two escape routes). Furthermore, sufficient headroom, heated, fire-protected development... All of this could be implemented in new construction. Nevertheless, it would be prohibited. The other contractors, one smaller local one and a large one, clearly plan this in. Now we are considering afterwards whether the official conversion might change the number of storeys? 1.5 are allowed in the building area. Could it be related to that? The house itself would be about 170-180 sqm, which is not too big for 7 people? We are uncertain. Does anyone here perhaps know more about this? Many thanks Julia

Of course, it is possible to create proper rooms in the attic - however, the requirements for living spaces apply - take a look at your [Landesbauordnung] - I am unsure whether a second escape route is required. For 7 people, 180 sqm is absolutely fine.

Of course, a second escape route is needed for living rooms. The first is always the stairwell. But it is assumed that flames and smoke will make the stairwell no longer passable, either due to the flames themselves or due to the burning. The second escape route then goes through a (horizontal) window. I would have to lie, but a roof window would be illogical. You are also right about the rest. In your case, single-story construction is allowed. Your state building code specifies when a floor becomes a full floor. An attic above a floor that is not already full can no longer be considered a full floor mathematically. In this respect, you can create all the conditions in the new building to accommodate seven dwarfs. Best regards

Whether this is permissible under building regulations or not will be checked in the building application - unless it is submitted in the "vereinfachten Verfahren"; unfortunately, a lot of nonsense goes unchecked there because the draftsman - i.e. the architect - is responsible for the information and the building authorities only check randomly. If at all,

So if you plan to do this, I would submit a proper, i.e. qualified building application or thoroughly check the fine print regarding post-liability/planning errors in the building contract/purchase contract.

Best regards
Dirk Grafe

Good evening Julia,

The plan is a house (6 bedrooms) with a 45° gable roof to accommodate two bedrooms there. So in the converted attic. [...] Bedrooms in the attic are not allowed! Because of fire and rescue protection. [...] Now we are wondering afterwards whether the official conversion might change the number of floors? In the building area, 1.5 are allowed. Could it be related to that?

What is decisive here is the interplay of floor area ratio + floor space index; by converting the attic, you do not achieve a full floor. I also cannot imagine that your building authority would allow a dormer at this height; that would be almost unprecedented in Germany for a single-family house.

Exception: the development plan explicitly prohibits the creation of bedrooms in the attic. I have experienced this as well; have a look at the textile specifications in the development plan.

However, you must – if there are no exclusions and the floor space index is easily complied with – provide a second escape route per floor. This means for the attic that both gable sides must have a window of the required size.

Rhenish greetings

Thank you for your opinions.
Now we have heard for the third time that a children's room in the attic is not possible. A children's room must have 12 sqm, which is not possible upstairs. Suddenly, the heating is also no longer allowed under the roof (forbidden!!) ... we are completely advised against a wood stove from 4 sides (nobody needs chimneys nowadays!!!), a garage would be pure luxury and one can well do without a pantry as well as a guest toilet. The best thing is that we give up at least 2 children for adoption... and stay where we are! *phew*
Maybe it was wrong to contact 6 different construction companies. On the other hand, we were able to sort two out with a clear conscience - and we have already heard quite a lot. For example on the topic of ventilation systems *sigh*
I thought building in itself was stressful enough. But if it starts like this already....
Two now want to see how big a house will be if you want to get five children's rooms on the upper floor - a sixth child better not come at all or only when at least one of the older ones has moved out.
Best regards
Julia