Raising the Roof on Loft Safety: 3 Major Points to Consider
When it comes to making proper use of your loft, from access to habitation, theres no understating the importance of safety. It doesnt matter if you use it everyday or only on the odd occasion, the same rules apply.
Even when youre working up there, performing quick DIY and maintenance tasks, it pays to acknowledge the guidelines on proper loft usage. After all, even working in a loft space is considered as Working at Height according to the Working at Height Directive, especially if there is a stairwell below, with a long distance to fall.
So in the interest of raising the roof on loft safety awareness, weve listed several important points EVERYBODY needs to keep in mind when using their loft space
Point One, Your Point of Access
Theres no better place to begin with than the ground directly below your loft, or to put it another way, your point of access. This is where some people fail to address the main aspects of proper loft usage, right off the bat, by failing to install a proper loft ladder, instead opting for alternative methods of access, which are altogether unsafe and high-risk.
Above: How not to access your loft
Stepladders and regular ladders are NOT considered safe methods of access. They do not provide the stability recommended, and in many cases required for, safe and secure accessibility.
Many ladders do not have the rung grip and slip-resistant feet that the majority of loft ladders provide, and therefore pose greater risk of fall and injury. And stepladders, although stable for head-height work, are not designed for loft access - frequent or infrequent.
Point Two, Clear Headroom
When using your loft space for storage, to be entered now and again when fetching old belongings, headroom isnt normally an issue. When using your loft as a place for habitation, however, either as a bedroom, office, living space, etc. then it is imperative you have adequate clearance to avoid injury.
Above: Example of not enough headroom
Generally you will need 2.1 or 2.2 meters of headroom for the majority of the room to not only make it worthwhile, but to adhere to standard building regulations also. When undertaking a loft conversion, it is always advisable to get somebody in to take a look as without knowing what size floor joists and roof altercations may be required, it would be difficult to say how much room you would have at the finish.
Point Three, The Foundation of All Safety
Just because youre treading on a solid foundation, it doesnt necessarily mean your loft floor is safe to walk on a regular basis. In many cases, the loft floor is tricky to navigate and possesses numerous risks for tripping and falling.
Loft boards have a tongue-and-groove construction and provide a solid, safe floor that you can walk on without having to watch your step so vigilantly. Again, if youre thinking of undertaking a loft conversion, someplace that will be regularly used and will bear considerable weight, then its always advised that you get a professional to see what floor amendments may be required.
Above: How not to access your loft
Stepladders and regular ladders are NOT considered safe methods of access. They do not provide the stability recommended, and in many cases required for, safe and secure accessibility.
Many ladders do not have the rung grip and slip-resistant feet that the majority of loft ladders provide, and therefore pose greater risk of fall and injury. And stepladders, although stable for head-height work, are not designed for loft access - frequent or infrequent.
Point Two, Clear Headroom
When using your loft space for storage, to be entered now and again when fetching old belongings, headroom isnt normally an issue. When using your loft as a place for habitation, however, either as a bedroom, office, living space, etc. then it is imperative you have adequate clearance to avoid injury.
Above: Example of not enough headroom
Generally you will need 2.1 or 2.2 meters of headroom for the majority of the room to not only make it worthwhile, but to adhere to standard building regulations also. When undertaking a loft conversion, it is always advisable to get somebody in to take a look as without knowing what size floor joists and roof altercations may be required, it would be difficult to say how much room you would have at the finish.
Point Three, The Foundation of All Safety
Just because youre treading on a solid foundation, it doesnt necessarily mean your loft floor is safe to walk on a regular basis. In many cases, the loft floor is tricky to navigate and possesses numerous risks for tripping and falling.
Loft boards have a tongue-and-groove construction and provide a solid, safe floor that you can walk on without having to watch your step so vigilantly. Again, if youre thinking of undertaking a loft conversion, someplace that will be regularly used and will bear considerable weight, then its always advised that you get a professional to see what floor amendments may be required.