drogue87
REGISTERED
I'm at a loss and can't find anything governing perimeter fencing at a multi-family property and the number of pedestrian access gates required? Am I blind? Does it exist?
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California Building Code governing perimeter fencing and access gates
- Thread starter drogue87
- Start date
Not that I am aware of.
drogue87
REGISTERED
2022 CBC
1004.7 Outdoor areas. Yards, patios, occupied roofs, courts and similar outdoor areas accessible to and usable by the building occupants shall be provided with means of egress as required by this chapter. The occupant load of such outdoor areas shall be assigned by the building official in accordance with the anticipated use. Where outdoor areas are to be used by persons in addition to the occupants of the building, and the path of egress travel from the outdoor areas passes through the building, means of egress requirements for the building shall be based on the sum of the occupant loads of the building plus the outdoor areas.
Exceptions:
1. Outdoor areas used exclusively for service of the building need only have one means of egress.
2. Both outdoor areas associated with Group R-3 and individual dwelling units of Group R-2.
If you're talking about an existing building though, it would only have to comply with the codes in effect at the time it was built.
1004.7 Outdoor areas. Yards, patios, occupied roofs, courts and similar outdoor areas accessible to and usable by the building occupants shall be provided with means of egress as required by this chapter. The occupant load of such outdoor areas shall be assigned by the building official in accordance with the anticipated use. Where outdoor areas are to be used by persons in addition to the occupants of the building, and the path of egress travel from the outdoor areas passes through the building, means of egress requirements for the building shall be based on the sum of the occupant loads of the building plus the outdoor areas.
Exceptions:
1. Outdoor areas used exclusively for service of the building need only have one means of egress.
2. Both outdoor areas associated with Group R-3 and individual dwelling units of Group R-2.
If you're talking about an existing building though, it would only have to comply with the codes in effect at the time it was built.
drogue87
REGISTERED
I appreciate this.
drogue87
REGISTERED
I read through this and it would be applicable to what I am dealing with. There is nothing definitive about the number of gates in the perimeter fencing. I assume this would be determined by the local building department?
It depends entirely on the situation. If you're talking about new construction, then it would be the responsibility of the designer (hopefully an Architect) to determine the size and number of exits (along with everything else), then the local building department would be responsible for reviewing the plans for code compliance.
Depending on the design, and occupant load, it could be one exit, or multiple exits. For example, a small shared "back yard" for a fourplex could probably get by with one exit. A large 104-unit complex that was completely fenced it would probably require one main exit, and several secondary exits.
What's the context of your question? Is this new construction? Remodel or addition? Code enforcement? Lawsuit?
steveray
SAWHORSE
1028.5 Access to a Public Way
DiagramThe exit discharge shall provide a direct and unobstructed access to a public way.
Exception: Where access to a public way cannot be provided, a safe dispersal area shall be provided where all of the following are met:
- The area shall be of a size to accommodate not less than 5 square feet (0.46 m2) for each person.
- The area shall be located on the same lot not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) away from the building requiring egress.
- The area shall be permanently maintained and identified as a safe dispersal area.
- The area shall be provided with a safe and unobstructed path of travel from the building.
mark handler
SAWHORSE
Talk to your Fire Department
CA Fire Code 503.6 Security Gates. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325.
CA Fire Code 503.6 Security Gates. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325.
Chapter 5 Fire Service Features - UpCodes
Yikes
SAWHORSE
Code requirements to PROVIDE fencing on a multi-family property typically come from 2 sources:
1. Zoning/planning code. Many times on apartments you will find this as a condition of approval on a discretionary planning approval.
2. If your property has a swimming pool, there may be a perimeter fence requirement (CBC 3119B) for child safety.
The owner, developer, investors or insurance company may have their own non-code requirements to provide a fence.
Other than the swimming pool, the building codes generally don't require installation of fences.
However, when a fence is proposed, you are limiting and/or focusing the ability of people to exit the building and get to the public right-of-way in an emergency. You are also limiting the ability of emergency personnel to access the property.
So, when you DO have a fence, then the number of pedestrian gates becomes important.
Assuming the original post was about a project in California, Exit discharge is governed in CBC 1028.3 and 1028.5. For example, if your minimum required exit width exceeds 4 feet, you may want to provide 2 gates instead of one, because most pedestrian gate hardware maxes out at about 4' width. If your apartment complex also has a giant assembly room, you might need 20' worth of exit gates.
If you have emergency escape windows leading through an exit court, that court may require its own gate to get the public right of way (CBC 1031.2).
Depending on the site configuration, security needs, etc., many developers try to have as few gates as possible, to help with access control, security, and to encourage socialization by focusing activity into a concentrated common area.
When I have done apartment design, mostly between 20-300 units, all have had a perimeter fence, and the governing factor for # of gates wasn't usually the residents trying to get in or out. It was the the design of firefighter access. California Fire Code 503.1.1 requires fire apparatus (truck) access within 150' of the perimeter of all portions of the buildings. Many times you'll have a side yard that is too narrow for a truck. But if your lot is less than 300' deep, you can put one pedestrian gate at the front end of the side yard, and another at the rear/alley end of the side yard. Lock it up and put a know box there, and you've met the code.
Yankee Chronicler
REGISTERED
The original question asked about pedestrian access (i.e. ingress) gates. The building code doesn't address the number or size in INgress routes, for buildings or for fenced yards or courts.
Steveray cited IBC section 1028.5, which regulates egress. Egress is regulated by the building code, so a proper answer will be based on egress, not ingress, and will have to take into account the occupant load of the building and the number and arrangement of exit discharge routes.
Steveray cited IBC section 1028.5, which regulates egress. Egress is regulated by the building code, so a proper answer will be based on egress, not ingress, and will have to take into account the occupant load of the building and the number and arrangement of exit discharge routes.
Mr. Inspector
SAWHORSE
Don't forget about the frontage increase if it is required in a new or existing building. The fence could be in the way.
mark handler
SAWHORSE
Have no clue what "frontage Increase" is?
mark handler
SAWHORSE
"Pedestrian access" could be ingress or egress.
And per my previous post, In CA, the Fire Department does have a say in Multi-family, ingress AND egress, gates.
Yikes
SAWHORSE
I assume he’s referring to the code section below, and picking up in the word “accessed” to indicate firefighter access.
Mr. Inspector
SAWHORSE
It is the open space required around a building. It is part of the calculations needed when determining the allowable size of a building.
mark handler
SAWHORSE
You are assuming, the use of "area Increase" for the project?
Yikes
SAWHORSE
The original post was somewhat of a hypothetical:
1. Does the code require perimeter fencing on multifamily properties?
2. When #1 is "yes", when/where does the fencing need (pedestrian) gates?
So I think most of the responses at this point are just brainstorming the various scenarios under which such things might occur. We are all exploring various assumptions, for the sake of discussion.
mark handler
SAWHORSE
I did not and still do not think, it was hypothetical.
Nowhere does the op ask if it is required.