A beam hatch is a hatch in a beam floor that allows goods or people to be transported to another storey. Beam hatches are commonly found in historic warehouses and farmhouses.
Function and application
A beam hatch provides access to a higher or lower floor through an opening in the floor structure. In warehouses, beam hatches were used to hoist goods upward with a pulley or lifting beam. On farms, the hatch often served to move hay or straw up to the loft.
The hatch itself is typically a wooden panel attached to the floor with hinges. When closed, it sits flush with the floor and can be walked on.
Construction
When building a beam hatch, an opening is cut or left out of the beam floor. To reinforce the beam structure around the opening, trimming is applied. This involves a cross beam that supports the interrupted floor joists and transfers the loads to the adjacent beams.
The dimensions of the hatch depend on its intended use. For people, an opening of approximately 60 by 80 centimetres is sufficient. For hoisting goods in warehouses, the openings were considerably larger.
Key considerations
- Ensure the surrounding beams retain sufficient load-bearing capacity after creating the opening.
- Trimming is almost always necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the floor.
- Historic beam hatches often fall under heritage protection; always consult a specialist when undertaking restoration work.
- Consider a safety feature such as a railing or trapdoor to prevent the risk of falling.
Related terms
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