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Clause 7.2.157.2.12 Access
Roof voids shall be provided with suitable access.
Access to roof voids should be provided to allow for periodic inspection, maintenance and removal of permanent equipment.
Access should:
- be designed in accordance with PD 6693-1 and the truss manufacturer’s recommendations to support the additional load
- be provided to the main roof space and to voids which contain permanent equipment (eg heating, water storage, energy producing and ventilation equipment, etc), service connection boxes or connection points for TV aerials, etc
- permit the removal of permanent equipment located in the roof space
- have a minimum opening width of 520mm in each direction
- not be located directly over stairs or in other hazardous locations
- include boarded walkways between the opening and the maintenance platform (a minimum 1m2 platform should be provided at the location of any permanent equipment to facilitate maintenance)
- be securely fixed with a minimum clearance of 50mm between the top of the insulation and the underside of the walkway or platform to ensure a clear ventilation space.
Access may not be required where a void does not contain any permanent equipment, service connection boxes or connection points for TV aerials, etc where:
- the main roof consists of only a small void below the ridge where the raised collar is less than 2m in length
- roof cassette systems are used in forming room-in-roof and the length of the raised collar is over 2m and the floor to ceiling dimension below the ceiling is over 2.4m
- small voids are present in the eaves (including those which contain water pipes only).
Access hatches should be in accordance with Clause 7.2.15. Where an access hatch is required to provide fire resistance, the fire-resistance period should be supported by test evidence.
Last updated: 2nd January 2025