A. Residents discover that there is a Loft Registration Procedure via the housing process, a summer mailing from the Office of Housing Services, The Word (Student Handbook), or by asking a staff member if we have a Procedure, from other residents, etc.

B. The student requests the Loft Registration Procedure from Housing Services.

C. A student who desires to assemble a loft discusses the idea with all perspective roommates, and continues once all issues are addressed.

D. The loft is constructed away from the University setting, according to the specifications of the Loft Registration Procedure. All combustible material must be treated with an approved flame retardant prior to painting, staining, or sealing.

E. The loft is disassembled and transported to the University.

F. The resident(s) visits with the Assistant Director of Housing Services for Facilities to complete the Loft Registration and Waiver Form and submits the necessary information.

G. The information is reviewed for completeness including the form, the fire retardancy information and the detailed drawing.

H. Students receive approval to assemble the loft and then, and only then, assemble the loft. The requesting student receives a copy of the Loft Registration and Waiver Form. This form is used to document approval to assemble the loft to any staff member who inquires about prior approval; and RA, a CA, etc.

I. Once assembled, the loft is inspected initially by a Facility Coordinator and then by the University's Fire Marshal.

J. Students periodically check and tighten all screws, nuts and bolts.

K. Lofts are inspected periodically by staff members -- during hall closing procedures, for instance.

L. Lofts are disassembled by the last regular day of classes at the latest and/or as specified in the posted hall closing information.

M. A Housing Services staff member verifies that the loft has been disassembled prior to the final exam period. At this time a copy of the Loft Registration and Waiver Form, the detailed drawing and the proof of fire retardancy is returned to the student.

N. Returning to the halls and keeping the loft for your personal use: keep the written materials for the registration process the following year.

O. Selling the loft: pass the information to the student(s) who purchases the loft. Students who purchase a loft at the end of the school term must have this information to bring the loft back into a residence hall in the future. If you do not have this information, you will be required to re-treat the loft with an approved flame retardant and fully comply with the Procedure.

P. At the beginning of the Fall semester: the registration process begins all over again; refer to letter "E."

Loft units cannot be wider than 48" and cannot be longer than 82" and cannot be higher than 60" at the tallest point.

A. The following dimension lumber must be used in the construction of a loft:

4" x 4" 's for corner posts/legs, cedar or fir of #2 quality or better.

2" x 6" 's for the side and end rails (the pieces that will support the bedspring and mattress), 2" x 4" 's for steps attached to the bed unit and 1" x 4" or larger for all cross braces; the latter three dimensions are to be "construction" grade. No "utility" grade lumber may be used.

To replace the bedspring, only a 1/2" thickness or greater sheet of plywood or similar material. Be sure to ask a lumber salesperson for assistance. See section: II. D.

B. Wood "pressure treated" to resist decay and insects may not be used. "Pressure treated" woods often appear green in color. The chemicals used to treat the wood are toxic when burned. No wood in its natural log form or "rough cut" form may be used.

C. You must properly apply an approved fire retardant to all wood surfaces. A list of approved fire retardant suppliers will be provided when you submit your plans for construction. All lofts must be treated with a fire retardant agent before painting or staining; there are no exceptions.

D. Carriage bolts, nuts, lag screws and washers must be used to assemble the loft. No nails may be used. Bolts are stronger than nails and can be removed easily. Washers allow the bolts to be tightened without pulling them into the wood. It is highly recommended that you check and re-tighten all fasteners periodically after assembly.

E. No bolt should extend past the nut more than 1/2." It is highly recommended that carriage bolts be inserted in the wood from the exposed side so the washers and nuts are on the hidden side of the loft frame.

A. Lofts must be free standing, i.e., not attached to room walls, ceiling or to University room furniture. No lofts may be "hung" or attached to the ceiling.

B. The top of the mattress must be no less than four feet from the ceiling or no higher than five and one-half feet from the floor, whichever is lowest.

C. Do not block doors, windows or heaters with lofts.

D. The spring provided by the University does not need to be incorporated into a loft. You may choose to utilize a piece of plywood to support the mattress. If the spring unit is not utilized, then the plywood "deck" must be supported by a minimum of five cross braces,
2" x 4" minimum, one on each end and at least three between the ends spaced equally in the center area.

E. Bed frame construction and sizes vary. Please check in advance.

F. Cross bracing must be attached to at least one end and one side of the loft structure.

G. All assembly must take place in a resident's room and only during times and under conditions so as not to disturb other residents. No assembly may occur during quiet hours.

H. Students must utilize their own tools when assembling a loft. See section: III. A.

I. Storage of University furniture and bed frames is not available. Furnishings provided by the University are required to remain in the room. Plan accordingly.

J. Built-in furniture may not be removed from the walls and may not be used to support any structure.

K. The total horizontal surface area of the loft structure may not exceed eight feet in length by four feet in width and may not occupy more than one-third of the total floor space in the room. See section: III. D.

L. The Loft Registration and Waiver Form along with a detailed drawing of what the loft will look like must be submitted by the resident(s) wishing to assemble a loft. Students must receive written approval to assemble a loft from the Assistant Director for Facilities via the Loft Registration and Waiver Form prior to assembling a loft. Drawings must also indicate the specific placement of the loft within the room in which it is to be used.

M. Lofts must be registered by Housing Services.

N. All lofts will be inspected by a Housing Services Facility Coordinator and the University's Fire Marshal or designee and must meet their approvals. The Maintenance Department (FMS) may also inspect a loft.

O. All lofts must be disassembled no less than one week prior to final exams. See your Student Life staff member for further details.

A. "Assembly" is defined as putting together a "pre-assembled" loft framework where there is no sawing or drilling completed on University property. "Construction" is defined as actually building the loft framework including sawing, drilling, measuring, etc. There shall be no "construction" on University property

A. A loft is the responsibility of all individuals assigned to a room where a loft is present. Residents of the room are responsible for any damage caused by the assembly, use or removal of a loft.

B. Lofts cannot be stored in Housing Services spaces over the summer. Loft pieces are not eligible to be stored in student storage spaces.

C. A sub-floor or sleeping "compartment" is not considered to be a loft and, therefore, is strictly prohibited.

D. In the interest of fire safety:

1. Do not hang fishnets and other flammable materials under or above a loft.

2. Do not use lighted candles. Use of candles is prohibited as listed in the student handbooks.

3. No electric appliances or cords may be attached to, hung on or draped over or near a loft.

4. Always use UL listed electrical cords in your residence hall room. Heavier gauge cords reduce the danger of fire. Always unplug appliances that are not in use.

E. Students who reside in temporary housing or extended housing are not permitted to assemble lofts since a bunk bed is supplied and should not be removed from the room.

A. Should a loft fail to meet the established guidelines, the student(s) will be required to make necessary adjustments to the loft and have it re-inspected within 3 working days of the date and time of the original inspection, or disassemble and remove the loft as stipulated by any University staff member.

B. Students who fail to obtain written approval to assemble a loft prior to doing so, will be required to disassemble the loft immediately even if it meets all other guidelines and shall not be permitted to assemble a loft during that academic year.

C. Students who fail to remove a loft after being required to do so, will be subject to the following action(s):

1. Students will be charged with a violation of University Procedure.

2. Students will be billed for removal and disposal of the loft. Only the Facility Coordinator in conjunction with the University’s Maintenance Department will do removal and determination of the appropriate charges.

D. If, in the opinion of the person doing an inspection, there are significant safety violations present, that person may declare the loft unsafe and require its immediate removal. Students will receive written notification via the Loft Registration and Waiver Form stating the associated reasons and timelines.

Please note: This Procedure was implemented at the start of the Fall semester, 1996. It shall be understood to govern any and all lofts in University Housing owned or operated buildings.

Please direct questions concerning these guidelines to the Housing Service Office facilities staff (facility coordinators and assistant director) by phone at 412-268-2139 or email at univhous@andrew.cmu.edu.