What to consider for a rooftop deck with access from an enclosed porch?

[Asim Purses]

Building: 3 flat with an enclosed Chicago porch where the flat (sloped) roof extends over it. Hatch for roof access.

The landing on the third floor could (technically) easily be extended onto the roof - but realize there are code/safety considerations around that.

Does anyone have experience with this? I'm looking across the street right now and see a neighboring three flat with an enclosed porch and door leading to the roof leading me to believe... it's possible. But with how much money/effort?

Could a hatch suffice? can the deck be suspended from the parapet walls or have to be resting on the roof?

Long story short - what are viable paths here without the city saying "you need to bring your porch up to code" to do this? I realize speaking to an architect will probably be another step, but wanted to start here. 

[Jonathan Klemm]

Hey @Asim Purses - The fact is your porch is likely not code compliant (which most old Chicago porches aren't).  If you put it on the city's radar you will need to bring it into compliance.

I am not 100% sure I understand your overall question though...Are you wanting to put a rooftop deck on your roof and create a hatch in the enclosed porch to get to the roof top deck?

The truth is that likely you should NOT install a rooftop deck if the calculations weren't done to support that type of load.  You'd need to connect with an architect like Samuel or a structural engineer.

You can of course install a hatch, but make sure someone who knows what they are doing from a roof standpoint does it.

Happy to chat in more detail if that would help.