The loft must be entirely self-supporting and free standing, with no attachments to walls, ceilings, floors, shelves, woodwork or University furnishings. No nails, bolts or screws can be used in room walls, ceilings, floors or University-owned furnishings. All residence hall furnishings, including the provided bed springs and frames, must remain in the residence hall room; therefore most loft structures are built to hold the bed frame intact. A ladder or some safe way of getting onto the loft structure must be included in all loft systems and must be securely fastened to the loft. Side rails are also encouraged since they provide extra assurance from injuries caused by accidentally falling out of the bed. Loft systems must be built and placed so that they do not interfere with access to heating, ventilation or air-conditioning units, thermostats, plumbing, pipe chase doors, sinks, or fire sprinklers. Residents are advised to take all possible precautions against damage to walls, paint, floor tile, woodwork, and other furniture. Damage repairs will be charged to the resident.
Flammable decorative materials, such as paneling, netting, curtains, etc., are not to be attached to the loft. Any strong wood in good condition, with a minimum amount of knotholes can be used. It is recommended that you use, at least, construction grade #2 pine and have sufficient horizontal or diagonal bracing on the sides and rear to prevent the unit from swaying. The wood used in the construction of the loft must be flame retardant and designed for indoor use. Pressure-treated or chemically-treated lumber (generally green in color) may not be used. Treated lumber is designed for outdoor use only and can create a serious health hazard in an enclosed environment. No PVC pipes or concrete blocks are allowed in the construction of the loft. Due to fire regulations, lofts may not block any room windows (must have 2.5’ clearance) and doors must be able to swing fully open. In the interest of personal safety, the height from the top of the mattress to the ceiling may be no less than 30”.