BCAB #1729 - Guard Design for Access Ramp, Sentences 3.4.6.5.(5) & (7)

May 16, 2013

BCAB #1729

Re: Guard Design for Access Ramp, Sentences 3.4.6.5.(5) & (7)

Project Description

This appeal concerns the design of the guard on an access ramp to the main entrance of a creamery (Group F Div 3). The main entrance is directly accessible from the street and leads to the first storey of the two storey office portion of the facility. The guard is a pipe railing with a top, intermediate and bottom rail.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 3.4.6.5.(5) requires that “unless it can be shown that the size of openings that exceed this limit does not present a hazard, there shall be no opening that permits the passage of a sphere whose diameter is more than 100 mm through a guard for an exit.” Sentence 3.4.6.5.(7) requires that “unless it can be shown that the location and size of openings do not present a hazard, guards shall be designed so that no member, attachment or opening located between 140 mm and 900 mm above the level being protected by the guard facilitates climbing.”

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the guard as designed does not present a hazard as this is an industrial factory with limited access. Further to this, the facility does not permit children so they are unlikely to be present or will be under adult supervision. The design does not present a hazard to adults.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that as the ramp in question is not fenced off from the street it is accessible to the public and children could be present without supervision. As a result of the ramp being accessible to the public it should conform to both Sentences 3.4.6.5.(5) & (7).

Appeal Board Decision #1729

It is the determination of the Board that the exemptions for openings in and climbability of guards in Sentence 3.4.6.5.(5) & (7) respectively are intended for occupancies such as this one where small children are unlikely to be present except under close supervision and the design does not present a hazard to adults. 

George Humphrey, Chair