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MA Sec 1013 Guards & Sec 1013.3 Opening limitations

KZQuixote

Sawhorse
Joined
Nov 9, 2010
Messages
503
Location
Bend, Oregon
I'm having a hard time understanding if windows above grade floor (R-2 occupancy) are required to have limited openings under the Massachusetts Building Code (2009 IBC).
TIA
Bill
 
I'm having a hard time understanding if windows above grade floor (R-2 occupancy) are required to have limited openings under the Massachusetts Building Code (2009 IBC).
TIA
Bill


Can you post a link to the code

Or post the section
 
I've checked and Massachusetts has not amended either of these sections of the 2009 IBC. Seems to me that any window sill less than 42" in height when the exterior surface is more than 30" lower than the floor would be required to have no opening larger than 4".
Sec 1013 Guards 1013.1 Where required. Guards shall be located along open sided walking surfaces, including mezzanines, equipment platforms,stairs,ramps and landings that are located more than 30 inches measured vertically to the floor or grade below at any point within 36" horizontally to the edge of the open side...
1013.2 Height. Required guards shall not be less than 42" high....
1013.3 Opening limitations. Required guards shall not have openings which allow passage of a 4" sphere...
 
Well you have windows and than you have 1029.1 Windows

Seems like the section does not mention Windows

Looks like the answer is No
 
The guard provisions do not apply to windows. The window fall protections do.
If a window sill on the interior is 24" or less above the finished floor, and on the exterior is more than 72" above grade, then the window fall protection provisions apply.
Guards are about falling from a walking surface regardless of age, window fall protection is (generally speaking) about protecting small children who could fall out of the window.
 
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