Boiler in loft - safety rail required

TaraBT

Hi

I am due to have full central heating system installed with the boiler going into the loft. I have a fixed ladder, lighting and a boarded walkway to where it is to be fitted, however, I know I need to get a safety rail sorted out too. I been unable to find the requirements for such a rail and its main purpose.

Is it to mark out the end of the boarded area in the loft? Should it withstand someone tripping over and falling against it? Should it be around the loft hatch or walkway or both? Does it have to be of a certain material?

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it!

Thanks

Tara

rockin_plumber

Basically it is to stop anyone falling through your ceiling should they step off the walkway, so yes it needs to be able to withstand someone falling against it, and also high enough so someone doesnt fall over it, with an intermediate rail to stop someone falling through it.

Another option would have been to board the whole loft area thus removing the need for a handrail.

TaraBT

Thanks for the reply. I am going to board the whole loft, however, since my plumber needs to run new piping, I thought it would be easier to do this afterwards although trying to sort out a safety rail is tricky due to the slope of the roof - there's not much to attach it to to make it stable! The only thing I can think of is to attach 4" x 2" planks vertically from the rafters and then have more planks joining them horizontally at just above waist height and knee height (although this still might be strong enough to withstand someone tripping over into it?)...

bambibashercol

That will do it with the 4 x 2. You also need a permanant light as stated by the regs, you proberly already have this though.

Canucklehead

Good evening: just a point to consider..the RGI will need to shift the boiler into the loft so make sure your configuration doesn't interfere with that process.;)

HTH

Canucklehead