2012 R-2 Guard Height

[Francis Vineyard]

4 story apartment with swimming pool in center courtyard: is the following guard height correct? Logical?

Patios that open to the pool area shall have guards no less than 4 ft. in height, 2nd & 3rd story balconies guards 3 ft. H and the 4th floor balconies 42 inches H.

Francis

 

[steveray]

Yes....correct.....logical?....I dunno...I would just opt for 42" myself...I don't think you are any less dead off of floor 3 than floor 4.....and don't miss the climbability on the pool barriers at grade.....

3109.4.1.3 Closely spaced horizontal members.

Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches (1143 mm), the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall be not greater than 13/4 inches (44 mm) in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall be not greater than 13/4 inches (44 mm) in width.

 

[lunatick]

I assume you are looking at 1013 Guards.

42" would be the guard height minimum.

Pools may be covered by something other than the IBC and or locals.

While 1013 does provide some alternate heights, this is in regards to stairs in a dwelling unit.

 

[fatboy]

Lunatik, see Exception #1 in 1013.3. "Within individual dwelling dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2". I would consider the balconey "within" as it is only accessible from within the individual dwelling unit. 36" would be allowable. JMHO

 

[Francis Vineyard]

Yes....correct.....logical?....I dunno...I would just opt for 42" myself...I don't think you are any less dead off of floor 3 than floor 4.....and don't miss the climbability on the pool barriers at grade.....3109.4.1.3 Closely spaced horizontal members.

Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches (1143 mm), the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall be not greater than 13/4 inches (44 mm) in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall be not greater than 13/4 inches (44 mm) in width.

The next section is a horizontal at the bottom and top (45 inches or more) and vertical not less that 4 inches apart; looks standard.

The next thing I notice is accessible units on the terrace level require latches on doors in the corridor that access the area to be out of reach at 54 inches.

Francis

 

[lunatick]

Lunatik, see Exception #1 in 1013.3. "Within individual dwelling dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2". I would consider the balconey "within" as it is only accessible from within the individual dwelling unit. 36" would be allowable. JMHO

My connection is flacky at the moment. But I thought that exception was in context with a stair.

A railing at a balcony is a bit different and is not at all like a stair. no ducks there.

 

[fatboy]

Wow, thought I blew that one, I even initially thought that it only applied to stairs. I had looked it up and in the 2012 it is a change.

1013.3 Height.

Required guards shall not be less than 42 inches (1067 mm) high, measured vertically as follows:

1. From the adjacent walking surfaces;2. On stairs, from the line connecting the leading edges of the tread nosings; and3. On ramps, 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 not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height measured vertically above the adjacent walking surfaces or adjacent fixed seating.