Lofting Kit Procedure

University Housing furnishes all resident rooms. Students may wish to supplement or complement these furnishings by constructing a loft in their room. Such additions are allowed on campus at the University of South Carolina within certain guidelines, depending on the building.  Please note: University Housing does not endorse or encourage the construction or use of lofting kits.

Buildings Lofts / Bed Riser are NOT ALLOWED: 

- 650 Lincoln/Saxon, 820 Henderson, Bates West, Campus Village, Capstone House, DeSaussure, Harper/Elliot, Honors, Park Place, Patterson, Pickney LeGare, Rutledge, Women's Quad

Building Lofts / Bed Risers are allowed:

- Bates House, Columbia Hall, East Quad, Green Quad, Maxcy, McBryde, Preston, South Quad, South Tower, Thornwell, Woodrow

All University-provided furnishings must remain in the room, including the bed and bedspring. The housing department does not have storage space available for furnishings. Any damages to the furnishings not reported at the time of move-in will be charged to the student’s account following their moving out. After the loft is removed, the student is responsible for placing the University-provided furniture back in the same condition and placement as it was when the student originally checked into the room. Any damages to the room, furnishings, or finishes beyond normal wear and tear will be billed to the student.

Lofts
Lofting kits must have at least 30 inches of clearance between the top of the mattress and the lowest point in the ceiling, including sprinkler heads and light fixtures. The loft kits cannot shield combustible materials such as computers, work desks, TVs, and furniture, etc. from the spray pattern of the sprinkler head.

Lofting kits are not to block the entrance or exit from the room. Doors and windows should not be obstructed in any way.  Students are not permitted to disturb the surface coating of the ceiling in any residence hall. 

Due to the possibility of damage to the facilities, lofts must be free standing and must not be attached to any walls, ceilings, or floors. Lofts may not be stacked on other pieces of furniture (desk, dresser, and bookcases) or on cinder blocks, etc. These arrangements are inherently unstable and damage University furniture/facilities.  The lofts must be made of non-combustible or fire-treated materials.

Risers
If you bring a riser for your room, they should not exceed 8 inches tall.  Anything taller than 8 inches is considered a loft and must meet University standards for lofting beds in residence hall rooms.

Please note that bunked beds and lofted beds may not use bed risers. 

Liability
The University does not endorse or encourage the construction or use of lofting kits. The University does not inspect, nor in any way certify the stability or construction of student-installed lofting kits regardless of where the student obtains the loft or loft material. The University assumes no responsibility for the safety of the room when placing any loft, as placement may interfere with the proper function of sprinkler systems.

The student assumes all dangers and risks associated with using a lofting kit, including possible injury due to falling from the lofted bed. The student waives and releases the University from any claims, demands, actions, or causes of action for costs, expenses, or damages to personal property, or personal injury, or illness, paralysis, or death, arising from or related to using a loft, and student agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the University for any loss or damage arising from or related to student’s use of a loft.