|
delton137
Gender: Male
 |  | roof hatch issue..
< on 7/30/2010 4:03 AM >
|  | | | quick question:
I'm trying to get on the roof of a building. There's a hatch at the top of a ladder, but I can't turn the handle. I've tried applying a lot of force, but it won't budge. It seems a little strange, as there is a metal bar going through the handle and going up through a hole to the roof. This bar has a square cross section and is not circular, so I'm thinking that it must have been dropped down to prevent the handle from moving.
So question is: is it possible the hatch is locked from above? If so, why would this be done? Is there any tricks to opening these things?
thanks
|
|
\/adder
    
location:
DunkarooLand
Gender: Male
I'm the worst of the best but I'm in this race.
| |  | Re: roof hatch issue..
<Reply # 1 on 7/30/2010 4:26 AM >
| | | | Possibly, but locking a roof hatch from the outside wouldn't make much sense to me.
It may be rusted shut or it may be bolted closed. A picture would be really helpful here. Look for visible bolts or screws that could be undone.
"No risk, no reward, no fun."
"Go all the way or walk away"
escensi omnis... |
|
delton137
Gender: Male
| | Re: roof hatch issue..
<Reply # 2 on 7/30/2010 4:44 AM >
| | | | yeah,
I can take a picture probably. There's some screws that can be undone, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to go that far.
|
|
hatsumi
  
| | | Re: roof hatch issue..
<Reply # 3 on 7/30/2010 6:51 AM >
| | | |
my powers of mental imagery are failing me, could it be the metal bar is part of a release/open mechanism ?
spend 5000hrs in mspaint
drainasaurus maximus |
|
Urban-Explorer
location:
Hell's Drain
Gender: Male
| | Re: roof hatch issue..
<Reply # 4 on 7/30/2010 4:22 PM >
| | | | I agree, its prolly just rusted shut, as most of them are locked from the inside the building. I've done 1 rooftop so far, but of course the hatch was already open, another was in a janitors closet in a separate room. Course it had a lovely lock on it.
Main Site: urban-explorer.co.cc
Forum Gallery: ue-gallery.co.cc |
|
delton137
Gender: Male
| | Re: roof hatch issue..
<Reply # 5 on 7/31/2010 1:39 AM >
| | | | I've actually been through a number of roof hatches. Some are difficult to open, because they are designed to spring open. The spring introduces a lot of pressure (and friction) on the latch.
This one is different though. Its strange because the bolt which holds it in place only has to move a little bit, but it won't budge. There are no signs of rust.
I was just wondering if there were any special tricks. Unfortunately I don't have a good camera, next time I go there maybe I'll take a picture with my iphone.
Its funny, I'm actually not interested in the roof. I'm actually interested in getting in the basement. But I'm pretty sure there are probably multiple roof hatches. So if I get on the roof, I can get to a maintenance room in a different part of the building where I might be able to get into the basement. (its a 1 story shopping center type building...)
[last edit 7/31/2010 1:41 AM by delton137 - edited 2 times]
|
|
Corrugated
| | Re: roof hatch issue..
<Reply # 6 on 7/31/2010 2:26 AM >
| | | | Find another way to the roof (another hatch?), then check out the other side of the "locked" hatch..
|
|
unlisted
Gender: Male
| | Re: roof hatch issue..
<Reply # 7 on 7/31/2010 9:11 PM >
| | | | Seriously, you again? 
try using more leverage...
[last edit 7/31/2010 9:18 PM by unlisted - edited 1 times]
|
|
Vectored Approach
location:
Morgan Hill, CA
Gender: Male
| | Re: roof hatch issue..
<Reply # 8 on 8/18/2010 11:25 PM >
| | | | It is unlikely that there would be more roof access hatches unless there is good reason for it, like the roof has major obstructions from going from that hatch to another point on the roof. If there is basement access, likely it is located elsewhere.
The square bar through the handle should be the shaft the handle turns on. It is square so that the handle won't slip on that shaft. Beyond the handle, there would be a cam or lever arm with one or two locking bars attached with pins. Turn the handle and the bars are withdrawn from slots in the door frame. Somehow the mechanism is locked. If the handle moves a little, then it is likely there is either a pin or a weld on the locking bars. If the handle is completely solid, likely somebody welded the handle, shaft or cam. If this strip mall is abandoned, likely its been welded. If not abandoned, I bet there's a hidden pin somewhere in the mechanism. Without a picture, I couldn't speculate further.
Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy. -George Carlin (1937 - 2008) |
|
vov35
 
location:
Maryland
Gender: Male
| | Re: roof hatch issue..
<Reply # 9 on 8/19/2010 4:26 PM >
| | | |
I've run into this... on top of a bank/petco. ... I probably shouldn't be roofing a bank but the petco has the most interesting roof I've seen in a while.
random square area in which I wish to have a rave for all those capable of actually getting up...
and yes I know I shouldn't be on rooftops in broad daylight... bitch more.
"Only sheep need a shepherd." -- Voltaire |
|
Powered by AvBoard AvBoard version 1.5 alpha
Page Generated In: 62 ms
|
|
Ethics
