Hello all. Curious if anyone knows off hand where I can find the requirements for providing rooftop access for a building / electrical inspector. We have a garage with flat roof about 10 feet above grade and inspector insists we are required to have a permeant ladder affixed to the side of building for a/c condenser service and inspections. This is a residential accessory building. I recall reading somewhere something about 12 feet being the cutoff....looking through the books now and figured this was worth a shot. Many thanks!
-
Welcome to the new and improved Building Code Forum. We appreciate you being here and hope that you are getting the information that you need concerning all codes of the building trades. This is a free forum to the public due to the generosity of the Sawhorses, Corporate Supporters and Supporters who have upgraded their accounts. If you would like to have improved access to the forum please upgrade to Sawhorse by first logging in then clicking here: Upgrades
Ladder requirements for inspector access
- Thread starter Jay
- Start date
ICE
Oh Well
Definitely not code in California.
City inspector or home buyer inspector? As him if you then need to provide full guardrails around the edgevof the roof, and increased liability insurance for the neighborhood kids who climb the ladder at night to jump off or make out with their girl friends.
patrickjames
Registered User
The permit holder is responsible for providing access ability such as ladders or lifts. Ladders must be OSHA approved and set up and secured correctly. This is required in my jurisdiction.
ICE
Oh Well
Found what and where?
304.3 Access to Appliances on Roofs. Appliances located on roofs or other elevated locations shall be accessible.
304.3.1 Access. Buildings exceeding 15 feet (4572 mm) in height shall have an inside means of access to the roof unless other means acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction are used.
Access is required at all heights. Over 15' an inside access is required... unless the AHJ says okay to something else. That something else can be a lift or ladder or stacked picnic tables.
klarenbeek
Silver Member
If the code in question is the IMC and there are no local amendments Jay is right that anything over 16 feet above grade requires permanent access, IMC doesn't specify if it needs to be interior or exterior. That being said, it looks like this is a residential application so it would go to the IRC. There is no requirement for permanent ladders for service access in the IRC.
mark handler
SAWHORSE
ICE
2019 CRC R109.3 Inspection Requests
It shall be the duty of the permit holder or their agent to notify the building official that such work is ready for inspection. It shall be the duty of the person requesting any inspections required by this code to provide access to and means for inspection of such work.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
1926.1053(a)
General. "...requirements apply to all ladders as indicated, including job-made ladders...."
2019 CRC R109.3 Inspection Requests
It shall be the duty of the permit holder or their agent to notify the building official that such work is ready for inspection. It shall be the duty of the person requesting any inspections required by this code to provide access to and means for inspection of such work.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
1926.1053(a)
General. "...requirements apply to all ladders as indicated, including job-made ladders...."
mark handler
SAWHORSE
klarenbeek
Silver Member
If you read the original post it looks like the inspector is requiring a PERMANENT ladder for service access, not having one set up to do the inspection. That would require an actual code section beyond the administrative section of providing access for the inspector.
Genduct
Registered User
You posted: "304.3 Access to Appliances on Roofs. Appliances located on roofs or other elevated locations shall be accessible."
When the HVAC Tech puts up their ladder, the roof is accessible. I don't believe a permeant exterior ladder is necessary if so, the Code should have said that explicitly. Security issue for a ladder even if partially obstructed
IMHO
mark handler
SAWHORSE
Mechanical Code 2018 of New Jersey
306.5 Equipment and Appliances on Roofs or Elevated Structures
Where equipment requiring access or appliances are located on an elevated structure or the roof of a building such that personnel will have to climb higher than 16 feet (4877 mm) above grade to access such equipment or appliances, an interior or exterior means of access shall be provided. Such access shall not require climbing over obstructions greater than 30 inches (762 mm) in height or walking on roofs having a slope greater than four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope). Such access shall not require the use of portable ladders. Where access involves climbing over parapet walls, the height shall be measured to the top of the parapet wall.
Permanent ladders installed to provide the required access shall comply with the following minimum design criteria:
The side railing shall extend above the parapet or roof edge not less than 30 inches (762 mm).
Ladders shall have rung spacing not to exceed 14 inches (356 mm) on center. The uppermost rung shall be not greater than 24 inches (610 mm) below the upper edge of the roof hatch, roof or parapet, as applicable.
Ladders shall have a toe spacing not less than 6 inches (152 mm) deep.
There shall be not less than 18 inches (457 mm) between rails.
Rungs shall have a diameter not less than 0.75-inch (19.1 mm) and be capable of withstanding a 300-pound (136 kg) load.
Ladders over 30 feet (9144 mm) in height shall be provided with offset sections and landings capable of withstanding 100 pounds per square foot (488 kg/m2). Landing dimensions shall be not less than 18 inches (457 mm) and not less than the width of the ladder served. A guard rail shall be provided on all open sides of the landing.
Climbing clearance. The distance from the centerline of the rungs to the nearest permanent object on the climbing side of the ladder shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) measured perpendicular to the rungs. This distance shall be maintained from the point of ladder access to the bottom of the roof hatch. A minimum clear width of 15 inches (381 mm) shall be provided on both sides of the ladder measured from the midpoint of and parallel with the rungs except where cages or wells are installed.
Landing required. The ladder shall be provided with a clear and unobstructed bottom landing area having a minimum dimension of 30 inches (762 mm) by 30 inches (762 mm) centered in front of the ladder.
Ladders shall be protected against corrosion by approved means.
Access to ladders shall be provided at all times.
Catwalks installed to provide the required access shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) wide and shall have railings as required for service platforms.
Exception: This section shall not apply to Group R-3 occupancies.
306.5.1 Sloped Roofs
Where appliances, equipment, fans or other components that require service are installed on a roof having a slope of three units vertical in 12 units horizontal (25-percent slope) or greater and having an edge more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at such edge, a level platform shall be provided on each side of the appliance or equipment to which access is required for service, repair or maintenance. The platform shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in any dimension and shall be provided with guards. The guards shall extend not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) above the platform, shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a 21-inch-diameter (533 mm) sphere and shall comply with the loading requirements for guards specified in the International Building Code. Access shall not require walking on roofs having a slope greater than four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope). Where access involves obstructions greater than 30 inches (762 mm) in height, such obstructions shall be provided with ladders installed in accordance with Section 306.5 or stairways installed in accordance with the requirements specified in the International Building Code in the path of travel to and from appliances, fans or equipment requiring service.
CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
304.3 Access to Appliances on Roofs
Appliances located on roofs or other elevated locations shall be accessible. [NFPA 54:9.4.3.1]
304.3.1 Access
Buildings exceeding 15 feet (4572 mm) in height shall have an inside means of access to the roof unless other means acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction are used. [NFPA 54:9.4.3.2]
304.3.1.1 Access Type
The inside means of access shall be a permanent, or foldaway inside stairway or ladder, terminating in an enclosure, scuttle, or trap door. Such scuttles or trap doors shall be not less than 22 inches by 24 inches (559 mm by 610 mm) in size, shall open easily and safely under all conditions, especially snow; and shall be constructed so as to permit access from the roof side unless deliberately locked on the inside.
Not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) of clearance shall be between the access opening and the edge of the roof or similar hazard or rigidly fixed rails or guards not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) in height shall be provided on the exposed side. Where parapets or other building structures are utilized in lieu of guards or rails, they shall be not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) in height. [NFPA 54:9.4.3.3]
304.3.1.2 Permanent Ladders
Permanent ladders required by Section 304.3.1.1 shall be constructed in accordance with the following:
Side railings shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) above the roof or parapet wall.
Landings shall not exceed 18 feet (5486 mm) apart measured from the finished grade.
Width shall be not less than 14 inches (356 mm) on center.
Rungs spacing shall not exceed 12 inches (305 mm) on center, and each rung shall be capable of supporting a 300 pound (136.1 kg) load.
Toe space shall be not less than 6 inches (152 mm).
306.5 Equipment and Appliances on Roofs or Elevated Structures
Where equipment requiring access or appliances are located on an elevated structure or the roof of a building such that personnel will have to climb higher than 16 feet (4877 mm) above grade to access such equipment or appliances, an interior or exterior means of access shall be provided. Such access shall not require climbing over obstructions greater than 30 inches (762 mm) in height or walking on roofs having a slope greater than four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope). Such access shall not require the use of portable ladders. Where access involves climbing over parapet walls, the height shall be measured to the top of the parapet wall.
Permanent ladders installed to provide the required access shall comply with the following minimum design criteria:
The side railing shall extend above the parapet or roof edge not less than 30 inches (762 mm).
Ladders shall have rung spacing not to exceed 14 inches (356 mm) on center. The uppermost rung shall be not greater than 24 inches (610 mm) below the upper edge of the roof hatch, roof or parapet, as applicable.
Ladders shall have a toe spacing not less than 6 inches (152 mm) deep.
There shall be not less than 18 inches (457 mm) between rails.
Rungs shall have a diameter not less than 0.75-inch (19.1 mm) and be capable of withstanding a 300-pound (136 kg) load.
Ladders over 30 feet (9144 mm) in height shall be provided with offset sections and landings capable of withstanding 100 pounds per square foot (488 kg/m2). Landing dimensions shall be not less than 18 inches (457 mm) and not less than the width of the ladder served. A guard rail shall be provided on all open sides of the landing.
Climbing clearance. The distance from the centerline of the rungs to the nearest permanent object on the climbing side of the ladder shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) measured perpendicular to the rungs. This distance shall be maintained from the point of ladder access to the bottom of the roof hatch. A minimum clear width of 15 inches (381 mm) shall be provided on both sides of the ladder measured from the midpoint of and parallel with the rungs except where cages or wells are installed.
Landing required. The ladder shall be provided with a clear and unobstructed bottom landing area having a minimum dimension of 30 inches (762 mm) by 30 inches (762 mm) centered in front of the ladder.
Ladders shall be protected against corrosion by approved means.
Access to ladders shall be provided at all times.
Catwalks installed to provide the required access shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) wide and shall have railings as required for service platforms.
Exception: This section shall not apply to Group R-3 occupancies.
306.5.1 Sloped Roofs
Where appliances, equipment, fans or other components that require service are installed on a roof having a slope of three units vertical in 12 units horizontal (25-percent slope) or greater and having an edge more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at such edge, a level platform shall be provided on each side of the appliance or equipment to which access is required for service, repair or maintenance. The platform shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in any dimension and shall be provided with guards. The guards shall extend not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) above the platform, shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a 21-inch-diameter (533 mm) sphere and shall comply with the loading requirements for guards specified in the International Building Code. Access shall not require walking on roofs having a slope greater than four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope). Where access involves obstructions greater than 30 inches (762 mm) in height, such obstructions shall be provided with ladders installed in accordance with Section 306.5 or stairways installed in accordance with the requirements specified in the International Building Code in the path of travel to and from appliances, fans or equipment requiring service.
CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
304.3 Access to Appliances on Roofs
Appliances located on roofs or other elevated locations shall be accessible. [NFPA 54:9.4.3.1]
304.3.1 Access
Buildings exceeding 15 feet (4572 mm) in height shall have an inside means of access to the roof unless other means acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction are used. [NFPA 54:9.4.3.2]
304.3.1.1 Access Type
The inside means of access shall be a permanent, or foldaway inside stairway or ladder, terminating in an enclosure, scuttle, or trap door. Such scuttles or trap doors shall be not less than 22 inches by 24 inches (559 mm by 610 mm) in size, shall open easily and safely under all conditions, especially snow; and shall be constructed so as to permit access from the roof side unless deliberately locked on the inside.
Not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) of clearance shall be between the access opening and the edge of the roof or similar hazard or rigidly fixed rails or guards not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) in height shall be provided on the exposed side. Where parapets or other building structures are utilized in lieu of guards or rails, they shall be not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) in height. [NFPA 54:9.4.3.3]
304.3.1.2 Permanent Ladders
Permanent ladders required by Section 304.3.1.1 shall be constructed in accordance with the following:
Side railings shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) above the roof or parapet wall.
Landings shall not exceed 18 feet (5486 mm) apart measured from the finished grade.
Width shall be not less than 14 inches (356 mm) on center.
Rungs spacing shall not exceed 12 inches (305 mm) on center, and each rung shall be capable of supporting a 300 pound (136.1 kg) load.
Toe space shall be not less than 6 inches (152 mm).