Loft Ladder issue

[Matt87]

we have recently moved into a house with a loft conversion but it doesnt have a staircase leading up to it, only the regular loft hatch with ladders attached. we have been trying to come up with a way of making it possible to pull the ladders up from inside the loft. i know this raises safety issues in case of a fire, but there is a sky lite that can be used as a means of escape if needed.
we've looked into electric ladders but prices on those are starting at 1500+ (silly money!). we have attached a sort of pulley system onto the ladders but surely theres a better way?

the ladders we have are these:

any suggestions would be great

 

[big-all]

it cant be a loft conversion complying with regs without being passed this includes the stairs
it may comply with regs appart from the stairs but very very unlikly as they would need the work checked during completion and the paperwork completed
what you will have is a storage area sutable for light storage
how was the "loft conversion " sold to you how was it described ??

 

[Matt87]

it was sold as storage space. but all im after is a solution to getting the ladder up and putting it down from inside the loft

 

[big-all]

it wont be strong enough to use for other than light storage

what centres are your joists at
what is the unsupported span
and what size are your joists if they are 4x2" they are light storage as they are only strong enough to support the ceiling unless there is support every six foot

 

[Matt87]

dont want to sound rude but im not interested if it complys with regs or what not. just a simple way to pull up the ladders is all im after

 

[DevilDamo]

dont want to sound rude but im not interested if it complys with regs or what not. just a simple way to pull up the ladders is all im after

What big-all is referring to is the joists may not be strong enough to take a persons weight, hence this is the reason why you're asking for a simple solution to pull loft ladders up and into the space above.

So regardless if you could get something to work, sooner or later... you could find yourself falling through the ceiling into the room below.

 

[Matt87]

ive been up here for a month so far and all is fine so far. the previous owners had a pool table, pc, darts board so im guessin they used it fairly regularly also.

 

[DevilDamo]

Oh ok. The way you just explained that is like you're trapped up there

Could you not try something like this...

So instead of using a hook type rod to pull it down, you'd use it to pull the stairs up into the loft space. However, when opening them up, you will need some kind of device to ease them down.

Have you approached any companies and asked them the question as they'd be able to tell you straight away.

 

[big-all]

what you need to remember is each thread can be read by thousands off people
so we need to cover safety issues whether applicable or not
this is neither avoiding the issue or treating you as silly
so if you can bear with us if we cover all the points so any one else reading the information will get the important points and if required can ask supplementary questions

 

[DevilDamo]

Just do this...

Planning... http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/buildingwork/projects/workcommonloftconversion/

Building Regulations... http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/en...s/workcommonloftconversion/workmorebrloftcon/

And... as "we" do not represent DIYnot, we can't be liable. As long as the OP is aware of the planning and building regulation implications, we can only advise and provide answers to questions that are put to us

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Post deleted.

 

[Matt87]

wouldnt be able to get down from the loft myself. it needs to be simple and quick as my son stays over a few times a week and when he gets up, if no 1 goes to him fast the rest of the house is woken up.

i was thinkin of some sort of electrical motor to be attached to the hinges where the ladder folds or something?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Whoa! Are you saying you're gonna sleep up there at night????

 

[JohnD]

or lock the son up there at night?

 

[big-all]

ive been up here for a month so far and all is fine so far. the previous owners had a pool table, pc, darts board so im guessin they used it fairly regularly also.

did you see the pool table??
you can get small kiddies ones so you cant assume it was any size
indeed you can't assume that any real weight was put on the structure

you are planning somthing dangerous on the say so off a stranger who put nowt in writting

a table like this weight less than a child
http://www.choice.co.uk/4ft-high-br.../q/snooker&prdToken=/p/prod4711779-sku7163673