7.2 Pitched roofs

Also see:

Clause 7.2.15

7.2.12 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 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 (eg heating and ventilation plant) 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 securely fixed boarded walkways between the opening and the permanent equipment and at each piece of permanent equipment, a minimum 1m² platform should be provided to facilitate maintenance
  • boarded walkways and working platforms should be securely fixed with a minimum clearance of 50 mm between the top of the insulation and the underside of the walkway 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 2024

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