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IBC 2015 Window Sill Height and Fall Protection Section

The IBC does not require; that said, the code is a minimum standard, not best practice.

1015.1 General
Guards shall comply with the provisions of Sections 1015.2 through 1015.7. Operable windows with sills located more than 72 inches (1829 mm) above finished grade or other surface below shall comply with Section 1015.8.

1015.8 Window Openings
Windows in Group R-2 and R-3 buildings including dwelling units, where the top of the sill of an operable window opening is located less than 36 inches above the finished floor and more than 72 inches (1829 mm) above the finished grade or other surface below on the exterior of the building, shall comply with one of the following:
  1. Operable windows where the top of the sill of the opening is located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the finished grade or other surface below and that are provided with window fall prevention devices that comply with ASTM F2006.
  2. Operable windows where the openings will not allow a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere to pass through the opening when the window is in its largest opened position.
  3. Operable windows where the openings are provided with window fall prevention devices that comply with ASTM F2090.
  4. Operable windows that are provided with window opening control devices that comply with Section 1015.8.1.
 
So classicT, you don't think an open window of unlimited size and a sill at floor level is an open-sided walking surface?
 
Bad design practice, but I don't think 1015.1 applies.

I can honestly say that in 24 years of inspection experience, from inspection, through plan review, to running the shop, I have never had to think about it.

So that means I have never seen such an installation, or it did not send a red flag up.

JMHO
 
bill1952 said:
So classicT, you don't think an open window of unlimited size and a sill at floor level is an open-sided walking surface?
Click to expand...
I have yet to see an instance where this has been an issue. Do I think that a guard should be provided for a large window opening next to a walking surface, yes. Do I have a code section to enforce that one be installed, no.
 
sometime pre-2005 I can remember LA requiring any window with a sill height less than 42" have a guard outside it. Been a long time since first seeing that, but it did exist, and was written outside the standard model code.

1015.8 as noted by ClassicT is specifically centered on R2 & R3 use groups, not sure why they limited just to those, but it was more centered around "widow safety in Hi-rise" and became a big push after the 1991 death of Eric Clapton's son falling out of a window 6ft high by 4ft wide on the 53rd floor to the 4th story roof below.

It took a trip through the CTC in 2004-2010 to finally get implanted in the IBC and IRC, but I could never see why it was limited to just the 2 use groups. As to the question, no the code does not consider a window open sided, as you have to step up and through, thus if you had a door it needs to meet the threshold requirements, hence if it does not, then its not a door its a window or access panel.

Though one might consider it bad design, I ask show me the problem with injuries.

Here is a question for you, why does the code not require all lower cabinets below 36" in buildings have child proof safety locks installed and inspected?

There is a large amount of injury data on children climbing and falling off counters compared to large windows or guards probably even combined.
 
redeyedfly said:
I'm genuinely curious how you justify an opening in a wall (an open window) on the second story next to a walking surface would not need a guardrail.
Click to expand...
So Redeyedfly,

Based on your post in your jurisdiction you require guards on every window that opens that the lower sill is not a minimum of 42" high from the walking surface?

So when 1015.1 Directs you for windows specifically to 1015.8, at which point in the flow chart exempts the windows from dropping down to 1015.2 through 1015.7 per my understanding of the code language,

and at which point 1015.8 specifically in the charging statement limits it to R2 & R3 use groups; and 1015.8 does not set a pointer back for all other window openings to go back to 1015.2-1015.7.

How do you get the flow chart for windows back to Guards??

I ask because before 1015.1 had the pointer for windows to go to 1015.8, I would agree one could make an argument, but now with the pointer I think you are over reaching the written code, unless your local AHJ modified the model code section to include windows that are not R2 & R3,

and then my follow up to that is, if a window is installed that opens and is not in a R2 or R3, then any of the allowable options set forth in 1015.8 are not allowed to be used and only a guard is allowed, is that not true?
 
tmurray said:
Well, when the railing guy says no railings, I guess that means no railings.
Click to expand...
Why does everyone automatically look at railings for the guard section.

1st TMurray

I am not saying no guards are required in post 32, I am asking how do you get there to require them through the code as a question to Redeyedfly?

2nd

if you look at post 31 you will see I also question the only R2 & R3, why not R1's also?

3rd

Why just R's and not all other use groups?

If the writers of the code section that added under 1015.1 the pointer for operable windows to go to 1015.8 wanted to leave the door open for other windows to still be questioned and require guards, then they should have put the charging statement of R2 & R3 in 1015.1, not in 1015.8, as thus 1015.1 sends all windows that are operable directly to 1015.8 to be dealt with, 1015.8 limits any requirements to windows to just R2 & R3.

I did not write it, I am just reading it....and providing an interpretation with a question attached... so from the published wording in the model code, how do you get there?
 
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