R1 R&R Sept '16 52 cc

Interior Refurbishment
The best way to board your loft - StoreFloor
Utilising loft space and the methods of allowing safe access to this space can be tricky. Heavy timber boarded directly on to the
joists can cause real issues and changes to insulation and building regulation requirements mean that traditional methods now
are growing obsolete.
There is a new method, which is the
first method approved by BBA, to
circumvent these problems. LoftZone
StoreFloor's raised decking system allows for
safe access to the loft space in buildings,
whilst also allowing 350mm or more of
insulation to be laid underneath. Research by
the National Physical Laboratory and Carbon
Trust has shown that loft insulation is often
compressed to joist height to allow for safe
access walkways, and that this reduces its
effectiveness by at least 50-60%. The
LoftZone system allows you to meet Building
Regulation requirements (Parts K, L and P),
but also safe access for all storage and
maintenance purposes.
How it works:
The LoftZone system works via placing the
patented tri-supports, along with singular unisupports,
directly on to the joists. A metal
cross-beam is then placed on top, which then
allows for boarding to be screwed down on
top. The height of the tri-supports allows for
the full 350mm of insulation to be laid out,
whilst also allowing for an air to pass above
the insulation. This removes compression of
the insulation, ensuring maximum benefit
when it comes to energy efficiency.
The system also allows for handrails to be
installed, so as to comply with Working at
Height Regulations (Part K, BS6180). Loft
ladders can also easily be installed on to the
boarding for easy access.
Advantages:
LoftZone StoreFloor is very lightweight and
also quick to install when compared with
other methods of loft insulation. It's ideal
compared to traditional methods such as
adding extra timber directly on to the joists,
which obviously add weight and go against
Part L1A of the UK Building Standards.
LoftZone has already been put to good use at
the Oasis Academy Connaught school in
Bristol, where the system was installed during
refurbishment works. Aedis Building
Consultancy specified use of the LoftZone
system at the school, commenting: “Our
objective was to provide safe access in a large
roof void that was simple to install, cost
effective and would not compromise the high
level of thermal insulation we installed. The
LoftZone product met this objective and we
are very pleased with the results”.
One of the other advantages of LoftZone is the
speed of install. It only takes approximately 15
minutes to install 3m 2 of LoftZone kit. This is
due to the adaptability of the system when
encountering issues with problem/warped
joists, wiring etc.
Whereas other methods of loft boarding may
require extra timber to be put on to these
joists, LoftZone can simply bridge over them
and therefore cuts down on this excess work
time.
The LoftZone deck is often installed alongside
solar panels or MVHR units (or indeed any
other equipment in the loft), since it provides a
safe access deck for future maintenance of
said equipment.
LoftZone has many different practical
applications and is suited to a wide range of
projects. The raised loft floor is suited to both
residential as well as commercial properties
and benefits can be easily seen in both.
For further information please visit:
www.loftzone.co.uk
38
Refurb
retrofit
magazine
Sep/Oct 2016 R1