SECTION 509 — GUARDRAILS - GENERAL BUILDING LIMITATIONS

GENERAL BUILDING LIMITATIONS

SECTION 509 — GUARDRAILS

509.1 Where Required. Unenclosed floor and roof openings, open and glazed sides of stairways, aisles, landings and ramps, balconies or porches, which are more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade or floor below, and roofs used for other than service of the building shall be protected by a guardrail. Guardrails shall be provided at the ends of aisles where they terminate at a fascia of boxes, balconies and galleries.

EXCEPTION: Guardrails need not be provided at the following locations:

1. On the loading side of loading docks.

2. On the auditorium side of a stage, raised platforms and other raised floor areas such as runways, ramps and side stages used for en-tertainment or presentation. Along the side of an elevated walking sur-face when used for the normal functioning of special lighting or for access and use of other special equipment. At vertical openings in the performance area of stages.

3. Along vehicle service pits not accessible to the public.

509.2 Height. The top of guardrails shall not be less than 42 inches (1067 mm) in height.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. The top of guardrails for Group R, Division 3 and Group U, Division 1 Occupancies and interior guardrails within individual dwelling units, Group R, Division 3 congregate residences and guest rooms of Group R, Division 1 Occupancies may be 36 inches (914 mm) in height.

2. The top of guardrails on a balcony immediately in front of the first row of fixed seats and that are not at the end of an aisle may be 26 inches (660 mm) in height.

3. The top of guardrails for stairways, exclusive of their landings, may have a height as specified in Section 1003.3.3.6 for handrails.

Where an elevation change of 30 inches (762 mm) or less occurs between an aisle parallel to the seats (cross aisle) and the adjacent floor or grade below, guardrails not less than 26 inches (660 mm) above the aisle floor shall be provided.

EXCEPTION: Where the backs of seats on the front of the cross aisle project 24 inches (610 mm) or more above the adjacent floor of the aisle, a guardrail need not be provided.

The top of guardrails at the ends of aisles terminating at the fas-cia of boxes, balconies and galleries shall extend for the width of the aisle and be no closer than 42 inches (1067 mm) to the closest surface of the aisle where there are steps and 36 inches (914 mm) otherwise.

509.3 Openings. Open guardrails shall have intermediate rails or an ornamental pattern such that a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter cannot pass through.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. The open space between the intermediate rails or ornamental pattern of guardrails in areas of commercial and industrial-type occupancies which are not accessible to the public may be such that a sphere 12 inches (305 mm) in diameter cannot pass through.

2. The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom ele-ment of a guardrail at the open side of a stairway may be of such size that a sphere 6 inches (152 mm) in diameter cannot pass through.

For guardrail requirements at grandstands, bleachers or other elevated seating facilities, see Section 1008.5.7.

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1--55 TABLE 5-A—EXTERIOR WALL AND OPENING PROTECTION BASED ON LOCATION ON

PROPERTY FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION TYPES^1,2,3 For exceptions, see Section 503.4.

EXTERIOR WALLS

Bearing Nonbearing OPENINGS⁵

OCCUPANCY CONSTRUCTION Distances are measured to property lines (see Section 503).

OCCUPANCY

GROUP⁴ CONSTRUCTION

TYPE × 304.8 for mm

I-F.R.

II-F.R. Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet

Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

A-1 II One-hour

III One-hourII-N III-N IV-H.T.

V One-hour V-N

Group A, Division 1 Occupancies are not allowed in these construction types.

A-2.1A-2 A-3A-4

I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

II One-hour Two-hour N/C less than 10 feet

One-hour N/C elsewhere Same as bearing except NR, N/C 40

feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet A-2.1A-2²

III-NII-N

V-N Group A, Divisions 2 and 2.1 Occupancies are not allowed in these construction types.

V One-hour Two-hour less than 10 feet

One-hour elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet II One-hour Two-hour N/C less than 5 feet

One-hour N/C elsewhere Same as bearing except NR, N/C 40

feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet II-N Two-hour N/C less than 5 feet

One-hour N/C less than 20 feet NR, N/C elsewhere

Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet

A-3

III-N Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet

Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

V One-hour Two-hour less than 5 feet

One-hour elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet V-N Two-hour less than 5 feet

One-hour less than 20 feet NR elsewhere

Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet

II One-hour One-hour N/C Same as bearing except NR, N/C 40

feet or greater Protected less than 10 feet II-N One-hour N/C less than 10 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere Same as bearing Protected less than 10 feet

A-4 III-N Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet

Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet

V One-hour One-hour Same as bearing Protected less than 10 feet

V-N One-hour less than 10 feet

NR elsewhere Same as bearing Protected less than 10 feet

B, F-1, M, S-1, S-3

I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet

Two-hour N/C elsewhere Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

II One-hour One-hour N/C Same as bearing except NR, N/C 40

feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet F-1B

II-N³ One-hour N/C less than 20 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet F-1M

S-1, S-3 V One-hour One-hour Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet V-N One-hour less than 20 feet

NR elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet (Continued)

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TABLE 5-A 1997 UNIFORM BUILDING CODE

1--56

TABLE 5-A—EXTERIOR WALL AND OPENING PROTECTION BASED ON LOCATION ON PROPERTY FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION TYPES^1,2,3—(Continued)

EXTERIOR WALLS

Bearing Nonbearing OPENINGS⁵

OCCUPANCY CONSTRUCTION Distances are measured to property lines (see Section 503).

OCCUPANCY

GROUP⁴ CONSTRUCTION

TYPE × 304.8 for mm

I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

E-16

II One-hour Two-hour N/C less than 5 feet

One-hour N/C elsewhere Same as bearing except

NR, N/C 40 feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet E-2E 1⁶

E-3⁶ II-N Two-hour N/C less than 5 feet

One-hour N/C less than 10 feet NR, N/C elsewhere

Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet V One-hour Two-hour less than 5 feet

One-hour elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet V-N Two-hour less than 5 feet

One-hour less than 10 feet NR elsewhere

Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet

Two-hour N/C elsewhere Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 3 feet Protected less than 20 feet

F-2

II One-hour One-hour N/C Same as bearing

NR, N/C 40 feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet F 2S-2 II-N³ One-hour N/C less than 5 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet

V One-hour One-hour Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet V-N One-hour less than 5 feet

NR elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet I-F.R.

II-F.R. Four-hour N/C NR N/C Not restricted³

II One-hour One-hour N/C NR N/C Not restricted³

H 1^{2 3} II-N NR N/C Same as bearing Not restricted³

H-1^2,3 III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

V One-hour V-N

Group H, Division 1 Occupancies are not allowed in buildings of these construction types.

I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet Two-hour N/C less than 10 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

H-2^2,3 2 3

II One-hour Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet Two-hour N/C less than 10 feet

One-hour N/C elsewhere

Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet Two-hour N/C less than 10 feet One-hour N/C less than 20 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet H 2H-3^2,3

H-4³ H-6H-7

II-N Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet Two-hour N/C less than 10 feet One-hour N/C less than 20 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

V One-hour Four-hour less than 5 feet Two-hour less than 10 feet

One-hour elsewhere

Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet V-N Four-hour less than 5 feet

Two-hour less than 10 feet One-hour less than 20 feet

NR elsewhere

Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

(Continued)

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1--57 TABLE 5-A—EXTERIOR WALL AND OPENING PROTECTION BASED ON LOCATION ON

PROPERTY FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION TYPES^1,2,3—(Continued)

EXTERIOR WALLS

Bearing Nonbearing OPENINGS⁵

OCCUPANCY CONSTRUCTION Distances are measured to property lines (see Section 503).

OCCUPANCY

GROUP⁴ CONSTRUCTION

TYPE × 304.8 for mm

I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 40 feet One-hour N/C less than 60 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Protected less than 60 feet

H-5²

II One-hour One-hour N/C Same as bearing, except NR,

N/C 60 feet or greater Protected less than 60 feet H 5

II-N One-hour N/C less than 60 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere Same as bearing Protected less than 60 feet

V One-hour One-hour Same as bearing Protected less than 60 feet

V-N One-hour less than 60 feet

NR elsewhere Same as bearing Protected less than 60 feet

I-1.1 I-1.2 I-2I-3

I-F.R.

II-F.R. Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet

Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

I-1.1 I 1 2

II One-hour Two-hour N/C less than 5 feet

One-hour N/C elsewhere Same as bearing except

NR, N/C 40 feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet I-1.2

I-3² V One-hour Two-hour less than 5 feet

One-hour elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet I-1.1

I-1.2 I-2I-3

III-NII-N

V-N These occupancies are not allowed in buildings of these construction types.⁷ I-3 IV-H.T. Group I, Division 3 Occupancies are not allowed in buildings of this construction type.

I-1.1 I-1.2 I-2I-3

III One-hour Four-hour N/C Same as bearing except

NR, N/C 40 feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

I-1.1 I-1.2 I-2

IV-H.T. Four-hour N/C Same as bearing except

NR, N/C 40 feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

I 2

II One-hour One-hour N/C Same as bearing except

NR, N/C 40 feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 10 feet

I-2 V One-hour One-hour Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C less than 3 feet

Two-hour N/C elsewhere Four-hour N/C less than 3 feet Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 3 feet Protected less than 20 feet

R-1 II One-hour One-hour N/C Same as bearing except

NR, N/C 40 feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet R 1

II-N One-hour N/C less than 5 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

V One-hour One-hour Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

V-N One-hour less than 5 feet

NR elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 3 feet Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 3 feet Protected less than 20 feet

R-3 II One-hour One-hour N/C Same as bearing except

NR, N/C 40 feet or greater Not permitted less than 3 feet R 3

II-N One-hour N/C less than 3 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 3 feet

V One-hour One-hour Same as bearing Not permitted less than 3 feet

V-N One-hour less than 3 feet

NR elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 3 feet

(Continued)

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TABLE 5-A 1997 UNIFORM BUILDING CODE

1--58

TABLE 5-A—EXTERIOR WALL AND OPENING PROTECTION BASED ON LOCATION ON PROPERTY FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION TYPES^1,2,3—(Continued)

EXTERIOR WALLS

Bearing Nonbearing OPENINGS⁵

OCCUPANCY CONSTRUCTION Distances are measured to property lines (see Section 503).

OCCUPANCY

GROUP⁴ CONSTRUCTION

TYPE × 304.8 for mm

I-F.R.

II-F.R.

II One-hour II-N³

One-hour N/C less than 10 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 10 feet

S-4 III One-hour

III-N IV-H.T.

V One-hour V-N

Group S, Division 4 open parking garages are not permitted in these types of construction.

I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet

Two-hour N/C elsewhere Four-hour N/C less than 5 feet Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

S-5

II One-hour One-hour N/C Same as bearing except NR, N/C 40

feet or greater Not permitted less than 5 feet Protected less than 20 feet

S-5 II-N³ One-hour N/C less than 20 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 20 feet

V One-hour One-hour Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 20 feet V-N³ One-hour less than 20 feet

NR elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 5 feet

Protected less than 20 feet I-F.R.

II-F.R.

III One-hour III-N IV-H.T.

Four-hour N/C Four-hour N/C less than 3 feet Two-hour N/C less than 20 feet One-hour N/C less than 40 feet

NR, N/C elsewhere

Not permitted less than 3 feet Protected less than 20 feet

U-1³

II One-hour One-hour N/C Same as bearing except

NR, N/C 40 feet or greater Not permitted less than 3 feet U 1

V One-hour One-hour Same as bearing Not permitted less than 3 feet

II-N² One-hour N/C less than 3 feet³

NR, N/C elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 3 feet

V-N One-hour less than 3 feet³

NR elsewhere Same as bearing Not permitted less than 3 feet

U-2 All Not regulated

N/C — Noncombustible.

NR — Nonrated.

H.T.— Heavy timber.

F.R. — Fire resistive.

1See Section 503 for types of walls affected and requirements covering percentage of openings permitted in exterior walls. For walls facing streets, yards and public ways, see also Section 601.5.

2For additional restrictions, see Chapters 3 and 6.

3For special provisions and exceptions, see also Section 503.4.

4See Table 3-A for a description of each occupancy type.

5Openings requiring protection in exterior walls shall be protected by a fire assembly having at least a three-fourths-hour fire-protection rating.

6Group E, Divisions 2 and 3 Occupancies having an occupant load of not more than 20 may have exterior wall and opening protection as required for Group R, Division 3 Occupancies.

7See Section 308.2.1, Exception 3.

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1--59 TABLE 5-B—BASIC ALLOWABLE BUILDING HEIGHTS AND BASIC ALLOWABLE FLOOR AREA

FOR BUILDINGS ONE STORY IN HEIGHT¹

TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION

I II III IV V

F.R. F.R. One-hour N One-hour N H.T. One-hour N

Maximum Height (feet) Use Group Height/Area Maximum Height (stories) and Maximum Area (sq. ft.) (× 0.0929 for m²)

A-1 H

A—Building area in square feet. N—No requirements for fire resistance.

H—Building height in number of stories. F.R.—Fire resistive.

H.T.—Heavy timber. UL—Unlimited.

NP—Not permitted.

1For multistory buildings, see Section 504.2.

2For limitations and exceptions, see Section 303.2.

3For open parking garages, see Section 311.9.

4See Section 305.2.3.

5See Section 307.

6See Section 308.2.1 for exception to the allowable area and number of stories in hospitals, nursing homes and health-care centers.

7See Section 308.2.2.2.

8For agricultural buildings, see also Appendix Chapter 3.

9For limitations and exceptions, see Section 310.2.

10For Type II F.R., the maximum height of Group I, Division 1.1 Occupancies is limited to 75 feet (22 860 mm). For Type II, One-hour construction, the maximum height of Group I, Division 1.1 Occupancies is limited to 45 feet (13 716 mm).

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1--61

Chapter 6

In document UBC VOL 1 (Page 69-75)