Head bonkers and other horizontal projections

[BayPointArchitect]

Several months ago, we had a little old lady injured by an outdoor wall sconce mounted at head height and protruding out 6 inches from the exterior wall. She was walking along the 6 ft wide sidewalk between the face of the building and parked cars. She asked if there was a code to regulate and prevent this from happening.

A few months later, we have a building inspector who is requiring similar wall sconces already installed on either side of the main entry to be raised above the 80 inch head height required by IBC 1003.3.3.

Questions:

Does this section apply only to the required path of egress within the inside of the building?

Does this section apply to the path between the building exit and public way?

Does this section apply to low hanging branches and the bottom edge of a sign that reads "van-accessible handicap parking"?

Thanks!

Registered Architect

ICC Certified Plan Review Engineer

 

[Coug Dad]

Does this section apply only to the required path of egress within the inside of the building? - NO

Does this section apply to the path between the building exit and public way? - Yes

Does this section apply to low hanging branches and the bottom edge of a sign that reads "van-accessible handicap parking"? I don't know about mother nature, but the bottom edge of the sign if it extends out more than 4" from the post is an issue

 

[cda]

Sounds like someone should use the common sense rule about putting low head bumpers in a walking area and also watch where you are going in life

 

[Frank]

It does apply to tree branches overhanging an accessible route.

Trim them up.

I have worked a fatality where a guy was cutting grass in his yard and fell under the tractor wheel while ducking under a low branch.

ADA issue as well for the vision impaired

Alternative to raising the sconce is to put a planter under it for cane detection

 

[steveray]

i've been pushing this in all of the new work here and just had a reason to do more...5 YO boy running down a hall ends up with stitches in his head after hitting the electric panel (that probably shouldn't have been there(existing))...>4" projection...if he was 6 he might have lost an eye!!!

At a minimum they need a detectable warning below 27" or extend all the way to the floor...IMHO

The one that has me twisted currently is countertop overhangs......should they not be allowed? Or does this section need clarification?

 

[cda]

I hate the stuff sticking out in the grocery store aisles!!!!!

 

[Examiner]

If it protudes more than 4" horz in a vertical height range of 27" to 80" it is a protruding object for both Building Code and ADA. Wendy's new menu screens are protuding objects because they put them in the walk path where you order. All walk paths are part of the means of egress. If there is not a barrier under the protuding object it can not be detected by a cane or avoided while walking for those who can see. An item placed below the protruding item, which also must be fixed in place, may decress the egress width.