Roof hatch with scissor stair: decision guide for the right roof access

A roof hatch with scissor stair is a commonly used solution for safe roof access in buildings where regular maintenance takes place, such as HVAC systems, solar panels, window cleaning installations or telecom installations.

But which version is best suited for your project? With this decision guide, you can quickly make the right choice from the Gorter® roof hatch with scissor stair combinations.

When should you choose a roof hatch with scissor stair?

A roof hatch with scissor stair is particularly suitable when:

• The roof needs to be accessed regularly
• The space below the roof hatch must remain clear
• A fixed staircase cannot be installed

When folded, the scissor stair is compactly stored in the ceiling, while when unfolded it provides safe and comfortable access to the roof.

Which size roof hatch with scissor stair do you need?

The selection starts with the correct clear opening and application.

Roof hatch 700 × 1000 mm – compact
Compact roof access for small spaces with occasional use, suitable for ceiling heights up to a maximum of 3000 mm.

Roof hatch 700 × 1400 mm – standard maintenance access
Suitable for regular roof access and carrying maintenance materials.

Available with:

• Standard scissor stair
• Electric scissor stair
• Fire-resistant scissor stair (EI60)

Roof hatch 1000 × 1500 mm – spacious roof access, also for lift machine rooms
For transporting larger materials to the roof or technical rooms. Thanks to its dimensions, this version is suitable for lift machine rooms and is certified according to EN-ISO 14122-3.

View here the overview of all roof access options with scissor stair.

What is the ceiling height of your building?

Gorter scissor stairs are available for different ceiling heights:

• Ceiling height up to 3000 mm
• Ceiling height up to 3500 mm (type H)

Is the ceiling height lower? Then the scissor stair can be shortened by removing scissor segments, without loss of stability or safety.

Roof hatch with scissor stair and suspended ceiling (plenum)

If there is a plenum space above the suspended ceiling, it can be safely bridged with a scissor stair extension. This is suitable for roof hatch sizes 700 × 1400 and 1000 × 1500 mm and makes it possible to extend the stair with 2 or 3 additional steps to a plenum height of up to 1200 mm.

Summary: which roof hatch with scissor stair should you choose?
 

Additional help choosing a roof hatch with scissor stair?

Would you like to know which roof hatch best suits your project? Contact us for advice or view the complete overview of roof hatches with scissor stair and other access solutions.