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General => General Forum => Topic started by: devildog on March 07, 2009, 01:09:13 PM

Title: ships ladder for loft
Post by: devildog on March 07, 2009, 01:09:13 PM
I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do for loft access,without taking up to much space. I think I like this. thought id put the info on here in case someone else was interested

Ships ladders are very common around here for camps and log cabins.

It provides limited access to small areas as a bunk room or a loft as it is called. It is not meant for full access for all.
The stair design is OSHA approved when built accordingly.
There are no specific code requirement that I can find other than this here.



The stair should be within the parameters of 50-70 degrees from the horizontal.

The side rails should extend beyound the floor level above by 3'.

The one in the picture supplied to us in the above photo is a safety hazard. And that includes the guard rail as Barry mentioned in his post.

This type of ladder is used quite often in the Commercial Sector for Mezzanine equipment rooms etc.
http://www.live-work.com/lwi/codes/ladders.shtml
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: ScottA on March 07, 2009, 01:24:52 PM
Here's a pic of mine without the hand rails installed. I copied it from a commercial design.

(http://www.brightok.net/~cyscott1-ss/pics/717081.jpg)
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: John Raabe on March 07, 2009, 01:36:20 PM
Here's a very nice ships ladder a craftsman friend of mine built for his loft room.

(https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/jraabe/JH-ladder.jpg)
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: devildog on March 07, 2009, 01:47:43 PM
I like them both. my only real concern was if it would pass a code inspection. I know the area iwant to build in(western va.),we stayed in a cabin there and they had one. but the cabin was older and im not sure if they still allow it. guess ill have to ask the building inspector.
If anyone else has pics of their loft/ship ladder please post them here id like to see what others have. thanks.
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: ScottA on March 07, 2009, 01:52:53 PM
Most people get around the codes by calling the loft area storage space. I think it has to be less than 200 sq. feet or something like that.
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: PEG688 on March 07, 2009, 01:55:08 PM


  What Scot said ,  :) he's just faster today than me.  d*

It about use and square footage.
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: lonelytree on February 09, 2010, 06:01:43 AM
Quote from: ScottA on March 07, 2009, 01:24:52 PM
Here's a pic of mine without the hand rails installed. I copied it from a commercial design.

(http://www.brightok.net/~cyscott1-ss/pics/717081.jpg)

What did you use for filling in the gaps on your flooring? Will it expand and contract with temperature changes?
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: eggman on February 09, 2010, 07:39:04 AM
I'm building one that will slide on rails and swing up on hinges for long term stowage. Argggh. Reminds me of my Navy days. Argggh (pirate voice)
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: devildog on February 09, 2010, 08:25:24 AM
post pics when your finished, I look forward to seeing it
Darrell
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: RainDog on February 09, 2010, 09:15:34 AM

Scott, you gonna put a handrail on that or just climb it like a ladder?
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: davidj on February 09, 2010, 10:02:21 AM
Quote from: ScottA on March 07, 2009, 01:52:53 PM
Most people get around the codes by calling the loft area storage space. I think it has to be less than 200 sq. feet or something like that.
My loft is officially called a "flower shelf" on my drawings!

Scott, how did you join the treads to the stringers?
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: Squirl on February 09, 2010, 12:25:39 PM
I was perusing old posts a few days ago and I cam across a similar topic.
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=1345.msg11348#msg11348

I guess I would just be adamant that the area is storage and not a sleeping loft.  Where your plans approved yet?
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: ScottA on February 09, 2010, 01:32:28 PM
Quote from: RainDog on February 09, 2010, 09:15:34 AM

Scott, you gonna put a handrail on that or just climb it like a ladder?

Thats an old picture. The hand rails are already on a long time ago.

Quote from: davidj on February 09, 2010, 10:02:21 AM
Scott, how did you join the treads to the stringers?

6 16d case nails per side and woodglue. Everything was predrilled to keep the nails centered. I'm also adding some angle brackets under the treads as a backup. So far the ladder works perfectly.
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: Don_P on February 09, 2010, 09:45:05 PM
One of my coworkers removed one from a house about a week ago and put up a rail in the storage area so that the house could final. The couple had never intended on selling and are of an independent spirit. The marriage failed and the house needs to be sold but it has several issues that need to be resolved. Things to think about.
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: OlJarhead on October 25, 2011, 12:26:11 PM
OK I'm resurrecting an old thread so please forgive me, but I'm planning on building my ships ladder in the next few weeks (finally!)...so....

I can run as much as 48" with a rise of 97" (90" to base of loft joists plus the joist height and flooring at present -- my thought is the last stair should be level with the bottom of the loft joist or close to it)....my only real issues are:

1.  The kids seem to think it is best to run the ships ladder into the wall the way our ladder is now because they climb up and down it now just fine and don't seem to like the idea of the ladder going straight into the loft.

2.  Running the ladder from the middle of the room straight into the loft allows only 25" of run (so much steeper) and blocks the center of our small cabin.

3.  I'm curious what the rise and run were of Scott's ladder as well as the riser height for each tread?

I'm pretty much planning on building mine the same way Scott did his (and we PM'd a while back about -- thanks Scott)...but wanted to rehash it a little before embarking on this phase of my build.

4.  Affixing the ladder to the wall should be done with?  I was thinking that I could screw it directly into studs at the top as well as perhaps bolting it to the loft joist on one side and then screwing it to the floor (all with 3" deck screws counter sunk and plugged)....what would your suggestions be?

Thanks!
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: OlJarhead on May 09, 2012, 05:22:56 PM
Hmmm no takers huh?

I'm out to 60" from the wall with a rise of right about 96" (give or take) -- the ladder will be slightly less steep then a true ships ladder at 58.5 degrees instead of 68-70.

So my question at this point is this:  should I go ahead and use 8" between treads or will that be too close?

A traditional ships  ladder is more like 12" per tread but I'm thinking that my shallower angle will make it better to have closer treads.....
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: flyingvan on May 10, 2012, 08:12:57 PM
(http://www.rosschapin.com/Plans/Cottage/Hilltop/images/Hilltop-08.jpg) 
  I like the idea of Jefferson Stairs to minimize the room needed for access.  I've never used them so I don't know how user friendly they are
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: jackel440 on May 11, 2012, 04:17:09 PM
Quote from: flyingvan on May 10, 2012, 08:12:57 PM
(http://www.rosschapin.com/Plans/Cottage/Hilltop/images/Hilltop-08.jpg) 
  I like the idea of Jefferson Stairs to minimize the room needed for access.  I've never used them so I don't know how user friendly they are
Those things are a pain in the arse! We have them at work to go over conveyors and on a few broaching machines.They say to walk up facing forward and walk down facing forward.I fell from one walking down face forward along time ago.I wouldn't wish those on anyone.They look nice and take up less space ,but it is awkward walking up and down them in my opinion.
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: flyingvan on May 11, 2012, 10:14:30 PM
I guess I'm not surprised---I look at footprints on stairs and they're in a line, one foot pretty much in front of the other---seems you'd have to sort of waddle up those stairs
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: OlJarhead on May 12, 2012, 12:51:58 AM
Never liked those stairs but like the steep ladder style -- now if I could only figure out the best rise per step with a 58 degree angle!
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: ColchesterCabin on May 12, 2012, 05:42:40 AM
I say this with half humour of course but couldn't you attach the ladder to the wal straight 90 degree or close then have a firemans pole for getting down if you didn't want to climb back down...
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: OlJarhead on May 12, 2012, 05:33:50 PM
Quote from: ColchesterCabin on May 12, 2012, 05:42:40 AM
I say this with half humour of course but couldn't you attach the ladder to the wal straight 90 degree or close then have a firemans pole for getting down if you didn't want to climb back down...

You 'could' but I don't want to! ;)
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: ColchesterCabin on May 12, 2012, 06:05:33 PM
I know but it was a fun thought! If only for a moment
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: builderboy on May 30, 2012, 03:12:38 PM
My ships ladder is similar to the 1st pic with hinges at the top so it swings up otta the way. Really opens up the room. I had to swear on a stack of bibles it was a storage loft to get past code. We do regularly store sleeping people up there though.
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: flyingvan on May 30, 2012, 05:29:43 PM
At my first OB cabin, each rung is hinged to the wall and the other end hinged to a ladder beam.  It folds up against the wall when not in use and looks pretty cool with all the rungs folded against each other
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: Bob S. on May 31, 2012, 04:39:14 AM
Van, Do you have any pictures of the folding ladder?
Title: Re: ships ladder for loft
Post by: flyingvan on May 31, 2012, 08:36:41 AM
  I don't, and the Cuyamaca Cabin is rented full time--but I have to go fix the handle on the tub mixer anyway so I'll take one and post it.  The ladder blocks the way to the bedroom when not folded up.  (These little fix it projects are really cutting into my build time!)