JL Industries RetroMount Galvanneal Replacement Roof Hatch

The JL Industries RetroMount is a galvanneal steel roof hatch for replacing a damaged hatch without re-roofing. The old cover and its hardware come off, the existing curb stays on the roof, and the RetroMount sets on top of it: its low-profile frame has an integrated counterflash and fastens to the inside of the curb with the anchor tabs and screws supplied. Because it reuses the curb, it is not a hatch for a new roof opening; for that, the Diamond Series galvanneal roof hatch comes complete with its own curb and counterflashing. Order the size that matches the inside of your existing curb.

Check the latch rating against your wind design before you choose it. The RetroMount's slam latch holds the cover closed against 20 psf of wind uplift. The Diamond Series latch is tested to 50 psf, so the two are not interchangeable on that point.

Specifications

Series	RetroMount Series, galvanneal steel (RHRMG), made to order
Mounting	On the existing roof curb; zinc-plated steel anchor tabs and 1/4-20 x 3/4 in Phillips head self-tapping sheet metal screws secure it to the inside of the curb
Frame	14 ga galvannealed steel, low profile, with integrated counterflash
Cover	14 ga galvannealed steel formed, welded cover with 22 ga liner, supports a 40 psf live load
Insulation	1 in polyisocyanurate in the RetroMount frame and cover, thermal resistance R-6
Gasket	Continuous weatherproof EPDM sponge rubber, adhesive-backed
Springs	Powder-coated, oil-tempered steel torsion spring for counterbalanced lift assistance
Latch	Clear zinc-plated steel slam latch, inside and outside handles, padlock hasps, holds the cover closed against 20 psf wind uplift
Hold-open arm	Clear zinc-plated automatic locking arm with red vinyl grip, one-handed operation
Hinge	Heavy duty zinc-plated steel pintle hinge system
Finish	White textured powder coat
Manufacturing location	Bloomington, MN or Commerce, CA, as Activar lists its galvanneal roof hatches

Sizes

Curb opening (W x L)	Model	Access	Weight
36 x 30 in	RHRMG-1WT	Ladder	115 lb
36 x 36 in	RHRMG-4WT	Ladder	125 lb
30 x 54 in	RHRMG-2WT	Stair	148 lb

The size is the inside opening of your existing curb, width x length, with the length on the hinged side. Activar also builds the RetroMount in 48 x 48 in and 24 x 24 in, in aluminum, and in custom sizes on request. Those are factory orders; ask us for a quote.

Installation

Activar's installation guide (14I-422) takes four steps: remove the old cover and any hardware in the way, including springs, hold-open arm, latch catch and hinges; clean the top of the curb and run a full bead of silicone caulk all the way around it; set the RetroMount on the curb with the inside dimensions aligned; then fasten the supplied brackets to the curb with the supplied fasteners. You need a 3/8 in nut driver, and the caulk is by others. On a concrete curb that does not line up with the RetroMount's inside dimensions, the guide has you bend the brackets to attach the unit. On pitched roofs up to 7:12, mount the hinge side parallel to the slope.

Guarding the opening

Under 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(iv), an employee has to be protected from falling into a ladderway hole by a guardrail system with toeboards on the exposed sides, and the entrance to the hole needs a self-closing gate or an offset. The guardrail criteria are in 1910.29. This is OSHA's general-industry rule. For construction work, 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4) governs holes, and OSHA classifies replacement work as maintenance or construction case by case, by its nature, scale and complexity, not simply because it happens in an existing building. Confirm the final gate or offset configuration with your AHJ before ordering.

Documents and downloads

For specification and installation: the manufacturer's RetroMount (RHRM) submittal (PDF), RetroMount installation and maintenance guide (14I-422) (PDF). Need a project-specific submittal filled out? Send us the project details with a quote request.