Dear All, our existing building required to install access roof. I am looking for best standard to install access ladder. Could any one can give me references or details of standard which I need to follow.please remember I have to instruct a local manufacture to fabricate a access roof. Regards Saif

Saif As well as having a best standard access ladder to get on to the roof there are other things to consider. What shape is the roof, e.g. is it Flat, Sloping, Curved and therefore how easy and comfortable will it be for people to move about on once they have accessed it. What is the roof made of/from or covered in? Is the roof structure Load Bearing? Are there any rooflights e.g. translucent sheets or panels in the roof and are they load bearing? (e.g. Any Fragile roof material through which people can fall?) Are there any extractors or ventilators projecting through the roof and what do they transfer/emit. Is this fume, vapour, gaseous etc and is there any associated health risk if people accessing the roof inhale or are or were to be contaminated by the emissions. Are any of these pipes or flues or similar HOT if touched? What is the weather like where you and your roof re located, are conditions always OK and safe for roof access? (Think WIND velocity) What is the environment where your roof is. Are there any habitats e.g. bird nestings etc and bird guano which could pose health issues? If people who have accessed the roof have to/wish to walk about and go to various areas of the roof is there a risk that they could Fall from the roof if they get near the edge or gutters etc. Have you thought about Fall from height prevention. Have you thought about Fall restraint and Fall arrest roof fitting systems? Look at the NFRC web site www.nfrc.co.uk Also go to the HSE web site www.hse.gov.uk and using search type in Roof safety and appropriate further broad general guidance will come up. A freely downloadable copy of HSG33 Health & Safety in Roof Work is available at:http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg33.pdf Good reading. Hope all this is of help, roofs are dangerous places. Regards Ken