Introduction to roof types & ceiling types, identifying load bearing supports. Identifying design requirements for stairs, guardings and handrails. Characteristics of materials used in roofs, stairs, ceilings, hand rails and guardings. Principles of regulations for minimum ceiling heights, domestic stair design, guarding and handrail requirements.

Introduction to various roof and ceiling types to include, timber trussed roofs, timber cut roofs, pitched/raking ceiling types, dormer roof/ceilings, flat roofs, service cavities in ceilings, vapour control in roofs/ceilings, provision of grounds for lighting and ceiling based services, provision of back ventilation for recessed lighting within ceilings, provision for uninterrupted air tightness layer above ceilings. Stair design, max rise, min going, rules for determining stairs compliance with building regulations, max pitch for domestic stairs, height of flights, length of flights, restriction on winders, spiral stairs, half landings, obstructions on landings, dog leg stair design, straight flights, closed string stairs, open string stairs, central string stairs, steel, timber and concrete stairs, hand rail design, guarding design.

Material specifications, modular sizes of ceiling slabs, structural timber, wrought and planed timber, battens, membranes above service spaces, shadow gaps to perimeter, cornices, recessed lighting fixing, surface mounted/pendant fittings, taped and jointed ceilings, gypsum skimmed ceilings, paint finishes, VOC's, recycled content of finishes, PEFC/FSC certification for timber. Stairs materials and finishes; hardwoods, softwoods, carcassing for over cladding with timber, steel frame with over cladding, stone tread, hardwood treads, concrete precast with over clad treads and risers, nosing options, tolerances for floor finishes above and below.

Introduction to building regulations and their application to the various building elements and building layouts including: Part A (Structure), Part D (Materials), Part E (Sound), Part F (Ventilation - minimum ceiling heights etc.), Part K (Stairs, guardings and railings)