Washington Administrative Code › Title 51 - Enterprise Services, Department of (Building Code Council) › Chapter 51-54A - State Building Code adoption and amendment of the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code › Section 51-54A-1015 - Section 1015-Guards

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
1015.2
Where
			 required.
Guards
shall be located along open-sided
			 walking surfaces, including mezzanines, equipment platforms, lofts in
			 accordance with Section 420.14 of the International Building Code, aisles,
			 stairs, ramps, and landings that are located more than 30 inches (762 mm)
			 measured vertically to the floor or grade below at any point within 36 inches
			 (914 mm) horizontally to the edge of the open side.
Guards
shall be provided at the perimeter of the occupied portions of an occupied
			 roof.
Guards
shall be adequate in strength and attachment in
			 accordance with Section 1607.9 of the International Building Code.
EXCEPTION:
Guards
are not required for the
						  following locations:
1. On the loading side of loading docks or
						  piers.
2. On the audience side of stages and raised platforms,
						  including stairs leading up to the stage and raised platforms.
3. On raised stage and platform floor areas, such as
						  runways, ramps, and side stages used for entertainment or presentations.
4. At vertical openings in the performance area of
						  stages and platforms.
5. At elevated walking surfaces appurtenant to stages
						  and platforms for access to and utilization of special lighting or
						  equipment.
6. Along vehicle service pits not accessible to the
						  public.
7. In assembly seating areas at cross aisles in
						  accordance with Section 1030.17.2.
8. On the loading side of station platforms on fixed
						  guideway transit or passenger rail stations.
9. Portions of an occupied roof located less than 30
						  inches measured vertically to adjacent unoccupied roof areas when approved
						  guards are present at the perimeter of the roof.
10. At an occupied portion of an occupied roof where a
						  barrier approved by the building official is provided.
1015.3
Height.
Required guards shall be not less than 42 inches (1067 mm)
			 high, measured vertically as follows:
1. From
			 the adjacent walking surfaces.
2.
			 On
stairways
and stepped
aisles
, from the
			 line connecting the leading edges of the tread nosings.
3. On
ramps
and ramped
aisles
, from the ramp surface at the
guard
.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. For occupancies in Group R-3 not more than three
						  stories above grade in height and within individual
dwelling units
in occupancies in Group R-2 not more than three stories above grade
						  in height with separate
means of egress
, required
guards
shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height
						  measured vertically above the adjacent walking surfaces.
2. For occupancies in Group R-3, and within individual
dwelling units
in occupancies in Group R-2,
guards
on the open sides of
stairs
shall have a height not
						  less than 34 inches (864 mm) measured vertically from a line connecting the
						  leading edges of the treads.
3. For occupancies in Group R-3, and within individual
dwelling units
in occupancies in Group R-2, where the top of
						  the
guard
serves as a
handrail
on the open
						  sides of
stairs
, the top of the
guard
shall
						  be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm)
						  measured vertically from a line connecting the leading edges of the
						  treads.
4. In areas with ceiling heights of 7 feet (2134 mm) or
						  less in
lofts
constructed in accordance with Section 420.14,
guards
shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height or
						  one-half of the clear height from the
loft
floor to the
loft
ceiling, whichever is less.
5. The
guard
height in assembly
						  seating areas shall comply with Section 1030.17 as applicable.
6. Along
alternating tread devices
and
						  ships ladders,
guards
where the top rail serves as a
handrail
shall have height not less than 30 inches (762 mm)
						  and not more than 34 inches (864 mm), measured vertically from the leading edge
						  of the device tread nosing.
7. In Group F occupancies where
exit access
						  stairways
serve fewer than three stories and such
stairways
are not open to the public, and where the top of the
guard
also serves as a
handrail
, the top of
						  the
guard
shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not
						  more than 38 inches (965 mm) measured vertically from a line connecting the
						  leading edges of the treads.