BCAB #1401ibi - Guardrail Design, Articles 3.3.1.17 and; 3.3.4.7

June 15, 1995

BCAB #1401

Re: Guardrail Design, Articles 3.3.1.17 and; 3.3.4.7

Project Description

The project in question is an office and classroom complex classified as a Group A Division 2, Assembly occupancy. A guard, consisting of an upstand wall 667 mm high and approximately 475 mm wide with a 403 mm high wood and metal rail assembly at the outside edge of the wall, has been provided at an interior third floor walkway.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 3.3.1.17.(3) limits the size of openings through a guard to 100 mm in residential occupancies, day care centres, nurseries and similar occupancies where children may be present and 200 mm in other occupancies. Article 3.3.4.7. requires that guards in residential occupancies be designed not to facilitate climbing.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the guardrail/wall assembly conforms to the code requirements for guards. Sentence 3.3.1.17.(3) and Article 3.3.4.7. are not applicable because this is not a residential occupancy and children will not be present on a basis similar to day care centres and nurseries.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that the guard design does not meet the intent of the code because the wood and metal upper rail portion is not in the same vertical plane as the upstand wall portion.

Appeal Board Decision #1401

It is the determination of the Board that the design in question meets the minimum requirements of the Code for guards in occupancies other than residential and those where children would be present in numbers similar to day care centres and nurseries. The requirement of Article 3.3.4.7. to "not facilitate climbing" is not applicable because this is not a residential occupancy.

George R. Humphrey, Chair