Hatch
|
This is the roof hatch on The Borough Hall, Meridian House, on the corner of Royal Hill and Greenwich High Road in Greenwich, England. |
A hatch is an opening in a building (or other structure) that has been fitted with a cover that closes and opens. Generally, a hatch in a floor, wall or roof enables the passage of people or goods from one place to another. It may also be used to provide ventilation or to control moisture or temperature.
Some hatches may be installed for inspection or access purposes. Inspection hatches may make it easier to access, maintain and repair equipment without cutting holes in walls, ceilings or floors.
A roof hatch may be an opening installed in a flat roof. These hatches can be pre-fabricated, assembled and put in place prior to the installation of the roof. Waterproofing gaskets around the hatch can be used to protect against water penetration. Roof hatches may accommodate a ladder, so maintenance crews can access rooftop equipment. They may include smoke or fire safety devices to allow them to open if dangerous conditions occur.
In construction drawings, hatching styles are patterns used to represent different types of commonly used materials, objects and spaces.
See Standard hatching styles for drawings.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Level 6 Design, Construction and Management BSc
CIOB launches first-ever degree programme to develop the next generation of construction leaders.
Open for business as of April, with its 2026 prospectus and new pipeline of housing schemes.
The operational value of workforce health
Keeping projects moving. Incorporating unplanned absence and the importance of health, in operations.
A carbon case for indigenous slate
UK slate can offer clear embodied carbon advantages.
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.






















