Guard openings in historic building?

[mtlogcabin]

Historic jail portion converted to offices. Finished grade would put the porch at 36" above grade.QuestionWould you accept this based on the code section below or would you require them to raise the ground level to be compliant with today's of 30" max.2012 IEBC1203.10 Guards.Guards shall comply with Sections 1203.10.1 and 1203.10.2.1203.10.1 Height.Existing guards shall comply with the requirements of Section 605.1203.10.2 Guard openings.The spacing between existing intermediate railings or openings in existing ornamental patterns shall be accepted. Missing elements or members of a guard may be replaced in a manner that will preserve the historic appearance of the building or structure.

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[steveray]

I think 1203.10.2 takes care of the openings, but what does 605 say about the guard height? Riser openings look like a 6" sphere would fit too...

605 Seems to be accessibility..?

 

[ICE]

The barrier keeps people a foot away from the edge. It has been fine for many years and now it's not?

 

[Builder Bob]

Beautification may be in order with raised flower beds so that the porch is not more than 30" above grade ----- then who cares (guards).

 

[Paul Sweet]

The guard spacing was reduced to 4" because too many parents were leaving toddlers unsupervised on balconies of high-rise apartments. If unsupervised toddlers are playing on these steps, falling a little over 30" is going to be one of their lesser dangers.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Beautification may be in order with raised flower beds so that the porch is not more than 30" above grade ----- then who cares (guards).

The Architect brought that up as a solution. It would be about 4 inches higher then the sidewalk. Naturally the grounds keeper and building maintenance do not like the idea believing water will seep through the rumble rock foundation wall into the basement. In other words they only want to cut grass not take care of a flower bed

 

[tmurray]

The Architect brought that up as a solution. It would be about 4 inches higher then the sidewalk. Naturally the grounds keeper and building maintenance do not like the idea believing water will seep through the rumble rock foundation wall into the basement. In other words they only want to cut grass not take care of a flower bed

Tell them they are watering too much if it seeps into the foundation.

 

[Builder Bob]

4 inches for the front to the corner is going to cause massive foundation drainage/ water seepage problems??? Hope they have gutters for the roof runoff and adequate drainage in other areas

 

[bhale7wv]

This may help -

2012 Existing Building Code

CHAPTER 12 HISTORIC BUILDINGS

1203.10 Guards.

Guards shall comply with Sections 1203.10.1 and 1203.10.2.

1203.10.1 Height.

Existing guards shall comply with the requirements of Section 605.

1203.10.2 Guard openings.

The spacing between existing intermediate railings or openings in existing ornamental patterns shall be accepted. Missing elements or members of a guard may be replaced in a manner that will preserve the historic appearance of the building or structure.

SECTION 605 ACCESSIBILITY

605.1 General.

Repairs shall be done in a manner that maintains the level of accessibility provided.