Inventor’s idea goes through the roof

Posted at November 11, 2006

During the recent floods, Paul Kotlarich, a local inventor and builder, had the same uneasy feeling he had during last year’s hurricane season. When water begins to rise, people become trapped in their homes.

“After much research, I have found that there is a need for an alternative means of egress from the confinement of the attic space,” Kotlarich said. “It could save somebody’s life.”

Kotlarich said he invented the idea following Hurricane Katrina when people were forced into their attics by rising water.

“Roof hatches have been around for over a hundred years, but not on residences because of the way they look,” he said.

Security, leakage, and cost are also among the issues Kotlarich addressed in his attic egress system design.

Kotlarich’s hatches should be available for $300 or less. It fits between the rafters and sits on 24- inch centers and is installed and operated. It is concealed and not easily found from the outside.

“Floods are the most common natural disaster,” he said. “They can happen

anytime. People put their self at risk trying to escape rising waters.

“(The hatch) is always ready if you need it. Anybody in a flood zone should get one.”

thehardincountynews.com