When is a landing required for a pool gate leading to step?

[wolverine7]

I have a new inground pool which just failed final inspection due to a step being a trip hazard. There is a sidewalk which goes to the gate. The pool area concrete apron is 4 inches higher than the sidewalk, creating this step up. The gate is 10 inches from the step up. The gate swings away from the pool area.

Does this make sense that this would fail the inspection?

I've asked the city building department why exactly it's a hazard and they say they're still researching the code. They did not cite a specific section of code yet.

So for now, until I hear back from them, I am speculating that it's because there's no sufficient landing between the gate and step. Is this something in general that would require a landing?

 

[ICE]

I don’t know what code is in effect there but here is California code.

R311.7.6 Landings for stairways. There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway.

The word floor or landing indicates that the code is for interior locations and I would not be concerned with the sidewalk leading to a pool. If they continue to push a correction you might fill in the 10” space from the step to the gate. In actuality that 10” space seems like a pain in the ass anyway.

 

[wolverine7]

Thanks, I like the idea of filling in the 10 inch area. Here is the feedback I received from the building department:
The gate is considered a door. There needs to be a 3 ft landing of the same height within 3 ft of the gate on either side.

Would you think this means filling in the 10 inch x 4 inch high sidewalk area with concrete up to the gate would satisfy this requirement?
Or do you think they're implying that the entire fence/gate must move to be 3 ft from the step?

For what it's worth, the fence permit was separate from the pool permit and the fence passed final inspection without issue.

 

[ICE]

I take it they expect a 36" landing on each side of the gate and they shall be at the same elevation. Ask for a code to back that up. The code requires a floor or landing and they can be at different elevations.

Not an ideal solution is to extend the poo side walkway three feet past the gate. You will have to modify the gate but the cost should be less than moving the fence and gate.

You can add two wings and push the existing gate out 26". That would probably be the least expensive.

 

[mtlogcabin]

2018 IRC
R311.3.2 Floor elevations at other exterior doors.
Doors other than the required egress door shall be provided with landings or floors not more than 73/4 inches (196 mm) below the top of the threshold.

Exception: A top landing is not required where a stairway of not more than two risers is located on the exterior side of the door, provided that the door does not swing over the stairway.

The gate functions as a door. can you restrict the gate from swinging over the 4" step?

 

[Mr. Inspector]

2018 IRC
R311.3.2 Floor elevations at other exterior doors.
Doors other than the required egress door shall be provided with landings or floors not more than 73/4 inches (196 mm) below the top of the threshold.

Exception: A top landing is not required where a stairway of not more than two risers is located on the exterior side of the door, provided that the door does not swing over the stairway.

The gate functions as a door. can you restrict the gate from swinging over the 4" step?

The ISPSC requires pool gates to swing away from the pool.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Only if it is a pedestrian gate
Put a lock on it and it is a utility or service gate if there is another way to access the pool say from the house or another gate.