Smoke Rated Loft Hatches

Stop the Smoke
at Ceiling Level.

A smoke rated loft hatch maintains the smoke barrier between protected stairs, lobbies and the void above. Our R12 insulated loft hatches are independently tested to BS EN 1634-3 for cold-smoke leakage — keeping escape routes clear and supporting BS 9991 / BS 9999 compliance.

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Smoke leakage is responsible for most fire fatalities, and ceiling-level penetrations are an often-overlooked path. Where a residential corridor or protected stair has a loft hatch above, that hatch must seal against the spread of cold smoke. Our R12 insulated loft hatches combine documented U-values (0.567-0.760 W/m²K) with BS EN 1634-3 smoke seal performance — one product, two compliance properties.

Last updated: May 2026 · Reviewed by Rapid Access Technical Team

Smoke rated insulated loft hatch by Rapid Access

Smoke Performance

Independently Tested

Cold-smoke leakage tested to BS EN 1634-3 at 25 Pa and 50 Pa. R12 insulated loft hatches achieve the Sa classification, with the test report supplied free with every order.

Independently tested to BS EN 1634-3

Cold-smoke leakage is tested under controlled conditions at 25 Pa and 50 Pa. Our R12 smoke-rated variants achieve the Sa classification, with the test report supplied free with every order.

Protects the escape route

Approved Document B and BS 9991 require smoke containment around protected stairs and shared corridors. A leaky loft hatch on the line of compartmentation breaks that protection — a smoke-rated hatch restores it.

Paired with thermal performance

Same R12 hatch, two compliance properties. U-value down to 0.567 W/m²K for Part L; Sa smoke seal for Approved Document B.

Testing & Compliance

Smoke Rating & Testing Performance

Independently tested for cold-smoke leakage on the line of compartmentation around protected escape routes.

Specification	Value
Smoke Test Standard	BS EN 1634-3:2004
Smoke Classification	Sa (ambient temperature)
Available On	R12 Insulated Loft Hatch — Picture Frame and Beaded Frame
U-Value	0.567 - 0.760 W/m²K
Construction	Insulated steel core with brush + intumescent seal
Sizes	Standard 562×562mm and 726×726mm; bespoke up to 1200×1200mm
Lead Time	3-5 working days
Manufacture	UK (Nuneaton)

Product Range

Available smoke rated ranges

PIM-derived list of ranges in our loft hatches category that offer this performance.

Insulated Metal Loft Hatch – Picture Frame – U Value 0.760 W/m²

1 variant

Insulated Metal Loft Hatch – Beaded Frame – U Value 0.760 W/m²

1 variant

Explore all smoke rated products across categories

FAQ

Common questions

Where is a smoke-rated loft hatch required?

Approved Document B and BS 9991 require smoke containment on the protected route — typically the stair, lobby and shared corridor in flats and HMOs. Any loft hatch on the line of compartmentation around those spaces should be smoke-rated.

Is smoke-rated the same as fire-rated?

No. They're tested separately. A hatch can be fire-rated (E60) without a smoke classification, or smoke-rated without high fire integrity. Our R12 smoke-rated variants are also fire-rated, but always check the specific datasheet.

What's the smoke seal made of?

A combination of intumescent strip (which expands under heat to seal gaps in a fire) and brush-fin seal (which limits cold-smoke leakage at ambient temperature). Both are factory-fitted to the frame.

How long does the seal last?

The seal is designed for the building's lifespan and is replaceable if damaged. Routine inspection at handover and at periodic fire-door checks confirms the seal remains intact.

Free Download

Fire Rated Access Panel
Specification Guide

BS EN 1634-1 and BS EN 1364-2 fire ratings, sizing tables, NBS specification clauses and product selection guidance.

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