jar546
CBO
Scenario: You are working on the renovation of an existing pre-engineered metal building. The inspector has stated that a roof access ladder is necessary to reach the two exhaust fans on the roof, as the height from the grade to the roof is 18 feet, 4 inches, which exceeds the 16-foot limit specified in the 2018 IMC Section 306.5.
The building already had exhaust fans on the roof without an access ladder. In this project, only the cladding and the exhaust fans are being replaced. Do you need to install an access ladder? There appears to be no requirement in the 2018 IEBC for this, only in the IMC, which is for new construction.
Opinion: This opinion also applies to the 2021 and 2024 versions of the IMC.
An access ladder is not required in this case.
When replacing existing exhaust fans with new ones on an existing roof, the provision for a permanent means of access to a roof 18 feet, 4 inches above grade is not applicable. This situation involves replacing exhaust fans at the end of their service life, not a new installation.
If a new installation were taking place, such as installing a new rooftop unit that is not replacing an existing one, then the provisions in the 2018 IMC Section 306.5 for providing permanent means of access to the roof would be required.
The building already had exhaust fans on the roof without an access ladder. In this project, only the cladding and the exhaust fans are being replaced. Do you need to install an access ladder? There appears to be no requirement in the 2018 IEBC for this, only in the IMC, which is for new construction.
Opinion: This opinion also applies to the 2021 and 2024 versions of the IMC.
An access ladder is not required in this case.
When replacing existing exhaust fans with new ones on an existing roof, the provision for a permanent means of access to a roof 18 feet, 4 inches above grade is not applicable. This situation involves replacing exhaust fans at the end of their service life, not a new installation.
If a new installation were taking place, such as installing a new rooftop unit that is not replacing an existing one, then the provisions in the 2018 IMC Section 306.5 for providing permanent means of access to the roof would be required.
