|
Loft
and Non-University Bed Standards & Guidelines
|
|
Lofts
create a degree of privacy within your room, provide an opportunity for
individual expression, and allow for better use of space. These
guidelines assist students in constructing lofts, protecting the
condition of the rooms, and ensuring the safety of the residents. Lofts
and other non-university beds (NUBS) must be
ready to assemble (pre-constructed) when you arrive. Lofts
will be defined as beds with decks greater than 65 inches and less than
75 inches from the floor. NUBs will be defined as all beds with
decks between 7 and 17 inches from the floor.
|
University
Policy and General Guidelines
Installation and Removal: Lofts may be
installed only during the first seven days of the semester. At the end of
the year, lofts must be dismantled before the deadline
published by the Office of Residential Life. Note: A resident
may request permission to assemble a loft at the time of
a room change.
Storage
of Lofts:
Lofts may not be stored in residence hall storage areas at any time due to
fire regulations.
Damage
to room:
Residents of the room are responsible for any damage caused by the
construction, installation, use, or removal of a loft. To
prevent floor damage, do not drag loft parts across floors.
Padding: A minimum of two
inches of carpeting or high density foam rubber must be placed between the
loft and
the wall to prevent damage to the walls. In addition, all
loft supports must rest on a piece of carpet. This prevents
the support from damaging the floor tile. The carpet must be
attached to the support or be placed on the floor with
the support resting on the carpet. Attach fastening nails
or screws to the side of the support so as not to have
contact with the floor. When using rubber-backed carpet,
the rubber-back must be attached to the support.
Height
of loft:
The top surface of the loft deck must be no higher than 75 inches from the
floor. In case of fire, the
75-inch height limit allows staff, police, and firefighters to
see someone in a loft. Decks must be at least 65 inches
above the floor. Low lofts with beds underneath are not
permitted due to fire hazards.
Proximity
to windows and doors: A loft may not obstruct doors or windows
at any time. There must be accessibility at all times.
Radiators: Lofts must be
one foot from radiators to ensure proper air-flow for heating the room.
Enclosing
a loft:
Lofts may not be enclosed in any way. The only wood which may rise above
the deck is a guard railing. An individual must be able
to exit from all sides except those which face walls. Curtains may not be
used to enclose the loft. In an emergency, curtains will
hinder the ability to see someone is in a loft.
Guard
Rails:
Rails are recommended to prevent accidental falls. Rails may be a maximum
of eight inches above the deck.
Smoke
Detectors:
Any loft wider than 43 inches must have a working smoke detector attached
to the underside
of the loft.
Suggested Guidelines and parts descriptions:
Supports:
Are vertical beams that support the
entire loft
Must be at every corner of the loft
Must be a minimum of 4"x4"
Must rest on a piece of carpet
Must be free standing and not attached
to any part of the room
Cross
Beams:
Are horizontal pieces that attach
to the supports that support the deck
Should be 2"x6"
Must be attached to supports with bolts
(min. 3/8"x6" ) and lock washers
Deck
Joists:
Are horizontal pieces attached to the
cross beams that support the deck
If 2"x4"s are used, they must not exceed
6 feet in length; if length is greater than 6 feet then 2"x6"s
must be used
Must be attached to cross beams with bolts
(min. 1/4"x3")
Deck
(must use University springs and mattress):
The horizontal surface must accommodate
the springs and mattress resting on top
The mattress is a standard twin
The University bed springs are 73
3/4"x33" 1/2"x1 1/2" with two side-hooks approx
10" from each end
The hooks protrude 1 1/2" and are
2" wide
Cross
Supports:
Are angled pieces used for strengthening
and are recommended if the loft wobbles
Cleats:
Are 2"x2" pieces of wood nailed
parallel to cross beams
They are highly recommended as they add
stability to the loft
Metal brackets (hangers) nailed into the
cross beam to support joints serve the same purpose as cleats
Lofts are not permitted in Ingles,
Norwood, and Tyler Halls.
No
alteration of existing beds is permitted in Ingles, Norwood or Tyler.
Existing beds will not be removed from these buildings.
The beds provided by the University in Floyd, Madison,
Trinkle, Peery, Muse and Stuart are loftable, therefore no personal
lofts are allowed in these buildings.
Any bed not deemed safe may not be used if directed by
staff.
**Radford
University DOES NOT
provide lofts for student use in the following residence halls**
Bolling,
Draper, Jefferson, Moffett, Pocahontas, and Washington
In
these halls, lofts may be purchased by the individual from private vendors
Suggested vendor - www.collegesavers.com
|