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1015.6 Fall Protection for Rooftop Equipment - Clarifications?

mgpxl

Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2014
Messages
17
Location
Southern California
A question always comes up in our office and, each time, with unclear direction, usually at the whim of the building official.

CBC 1015.6 (Fall Protection for Mech Equipment) is pretty clear about the need for guardrails for mech equipment within 10' of roof edge.

The question is asked "are roof drains equipment requiring maintenance and thus fall protection?" Same with fans/vents with no moving parts. On a particular DSA school project, we are working to locate all of the rooftop units 10' away from edge (in any case, mech screen is provided for these) but can't avoid the drains at the flat roof parapets.

Is there any interpretation or specific precedent anyone has come across on this item? I've done plenty of projects where no fall protection was needed for roof drains at the roof parapets (but the question is still always raised).

Thank you.
 
CBC 1015.6 Mechanical equipment, systems and devices
Guards shall be provided where various components that require service are located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a roof edge or open side of a walking surface and such edge or open side is located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor, roof or grade below. The guard shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) beyond each end of such components. The guard shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter.

The tile can be misleading....are the systems and devices, Mechanical. or could it be all systems and devices, including plumbing fixtures. That is Up to the Building Official And may not be a whim.
 
Does a roof drain require service? There is a difference between can it be serviced and does it require service.
 
IMHO if is has a motor or other electrical device to control the operation the vent or exhaust then yes
Example A motorized damper/smoke vent that is part of a natural or mechanical exhaust system that could be serviced from the roof
 
The code says "service" not cleaning or snow removal. Yes a solar panel is equipment under the code and will need service, a satellite dish is not. Plumbing vents and gutters are probably not within the "intent" of this code section IMHO
 
The code says "service" not cleaning or snow removal.

I don't think Marram-Webster agrees with you


service

noun (1)
ser·vice | \ ˈsər-vəs \
Definition of service
(Entry 1 of 5)

1a: the occupation or function of serving in active service
b: employment as a servant entered his service
2a: the work performed by one that serves good service
b: HELP, USE, BENEFIT glad to be of service
c: contribution to the welfare of others
d: disposal for use I'm entirely at your service
3a: a form followed in worship or in a religious ceremony the burial service
b: a meeting for worship —often used in plural held evening services
4: the act of serving: such as
a: a helpful act did him a service
b: useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity —usually used in plural charge for professional services
c: SERVE
5: a set of articles for a particular use a silver tea service
6a: an administrative division (as of a government or business)the consular service
b: one of a nation's military forces (such as the army or navy)
7a: a facility supplying some public demand telephone service bus service
b: a facility providing maintenance and repair television service
8: the materials (such as spun yarn, small lines, or canvas) used for serving a rope
9: the act of bringing a legal writ, process, or summons to notice as prescribed by law
10: the act of a male animal copulating with a female animal
11: a branch of a hospital medical staff devoted to a particular specialty obstetrical service
service

verb
serviced; servicing
Definition of service (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

: to perform services for: such as
a : to repair or provide maintenance for serviced the furnace
b : to meet interest and sinking fund payments on service government debt
c : to perform any of the business functions auxiliary to production or distribution of
d of a male animal : SERVE sense 10
 
There is a big difference between the work a mechanic does who "services" your car and the lot rat who cleans it.
Obviously Marram-Webster do not distinguish between the 2 in their definitions
Guard requirements for cleaning gutters and roof drains is way beyond the intent of that section
 
Not sure what a lot rat is. They don't have a mechanic service the kitchen stove exhaust, the dishwasher does it at the restaurant that I go to a lot. I asked then who cleans the rain gutter, they have the mechanic that works on their truck clean the rain gutter.
 
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