Roof Access Hatches

Our durable roof access hatches allow easy, safe access to a rooftop for maintenance or emergency escape. These access hatches are designed as rooflights that fit directly to the roof deck, or your own timber kerb / upstand and they come with gas-assisted struts for easy touch opening. 

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Thermadome Commercial Access Hatch

What Are Roof Access Hatches?

The access hatches here are specialised, manual openings that provide easy, safe access to a roof. They allow for maintenance and inspection of rooftop equipment, as well as emergency access, such as in the case of a fire.

Roof access hatches are simple but effective features of many commercial, industrial and residential buildings. They can provide cost savings when it comes to maintenance and repairs, as they remove the need for scaffolding, cranes or cherry pickers.

Where Are Roof Access Hatches Used?

Roof access hatches are common in commercial buildings such as office blocks and shopping centres, allowing maintenance of rooftop equipment such as solar panels and HVAC systems.

These hatches are also useful in industrial spaces like manufacturing plants and warehouses, which often have machinery on the roof that needs to be accessed. In residential buildings like apartment blocks roof hatches allow maintenance and repairs, as well as access to rooftop terraces and gardens.

Type of Roof Access Hatches

Different access hatches are available to suit different needs:

Polycarbonate Roof Access Hatches

Suitable for commercial and residential applications, polycarbonate access hatches are lightweight units with high impact resistance and UV protection. Polycarbonate hatches also offer a cost-effective solution, without any compromise on quality.

Glass Roof Access Hatches

Glass access hatches are often chosen for modern buildings and retail spaces where natural light and aesthetics are both important. Many glass access hatches are now available with an electrical opening function for easy operation.

Metal Roof Access Hatches

Commonly made from powder-coated aluminium or galvanised steel, metal access hatches are designed to be robust and durable. Often used in commercial and industrial buildings, they enable safe, easy roof access and minimise heat loss, contributing to energy efficiency.

Roof Access Hatch Benefits

Roof hatches provide several key benefits, including:

Safe Roof Access

Specially designed access points to rooftops improve safety considerably. With features like hold-open stays, electrical opening or gas-assisted opening, roof hatches provide safe access for maintenance, repairs and emergency escape.

Security

Roof access does not constitute a security risk thanks to features such as internal locking handles.

Resistance to Harsh Conditions

Because our roof hatches are made using quality materials, they can withstand even the harshest weather conditions.

Long-term Cost Savings

Direct access to the rooftop means saving on alternative, expensive access solutions such as scaffolding, cherry pickers and cranes.

Energy Efficiency

Roof access hatches can benefit a building’s energy efficiency by preventing heat gain in summer, and reducing heat loss in winter. This is thanks to thermal break technology, a feature of many modern units.

Installation Considerations

Here are some important points to remember when installing a roof access hatch:

Make Sure Your Hatch is Compliant

Your hatch and ladder need to meet UK Building Regulations - particularly Approved Documents K (head clearance and fall prevention), L (insulation and energy efficiency), and B (fire safety, where applicable), as well as Work at Height Regulations for safe rooftop access and use. Certification is also required to BS EN standards, including BS EN 12101-2 for smoke/extract hatches and BS4211 for ladders. UKCA marking is also required.

Make Sure It’s Properly Placed

A roof access hatch should not be placed in hazardous zones, such as fragile roof areas or over stairwells. For safe access the ladder/stairs should be placed directly opposite the hinge, and the opening should give at least 2m of head clearance. Minimum clear dimensions should be 530x530mm and there should be fall protection, such as guardrails or cages, in place when the hatch is open or the ladder is in use.

Check Structure & Weatherproofing

When installing a roof access hatch make sure the roof and supporting kerb/upstand are sound, and make sure the unit is installed with weather-tight seals and adequate insulation to prevent heat loss.

Consult an Expert

Seek advice from the manufacturer, a qualified roofing professional or a local building control authority before installing. This will ensure the unit is fit for purpose and that all compliance criteria are met.

Need help with a Specification?

Call 01276 450630 and one of our helpful team members can provide you with the technical information you need.