HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Code and Sanitation Committee 1975-11-04N
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Code and Sanitation Committee
V' November 4, 1975
Committee: Chairman Sutter, Trustees Burgess and Wagner
Attending: Chairman Sutter, Trustee Burgess
Also Attending: Town Administrator Hill, Building Inspector Fairchild
Absent: Trustee Wagner
DECK RAILING HEIGHT REGULATIONS:
The Committee met to discuss the deck railing height regulations
now in effect (all 42" high).
The Committee recommends the Board of Trustees amend the Uniform
Building Code to permit a 36" guard rail height for Group I occu-
pancy, limited to one and two family dwellings only.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
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NOV 121975
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Dale G. Hill, Town Administrator
T;', is OF ESTES I A 1
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
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Estes Park, Colorado 80517
October 31, 1975
Rollen Sutter, Chairman
Code and Sanitation Committee
Town of Estes Park
Estes Park, Colorado 80517
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The 1973 Uniform Building Code (effective since August 1974) specifies
the height of guardrails in Section 1716, page 104. It reads as
follows:
"All unenclosed floor and roof openings; open and glazed
sides of landings; balconies or porches which are more
than 30 inches above grade; and roofs used for other than
service of the building, shall be protected by a guard-
rail. Guardrails shall be not less than 42 inches in
height. Open guardrails and stair railings shall have
intermediate rails or an ornamental pattern such that
no object 9 inches in diameter can pass through. The
height of stair railings may be a specified in Section
3305 (i).
EXCEPTION: Guardrails need not be provided on the
loading side of loading docks."
This is not an excessively high requirement. There are many various
materials and designs for building guardrails that comply which are
both esthetic and visibly transparent. The reason for a height re-
quirement is clearly to protect occupants from accidential injury
resulting from a fall. A 42 inch height requirement would prevent
people from comfortably sitting on the guardrail. Also, the average
adult waist height is 41 inches from Architectural Graphics Standards,
Ramsey & Sleeper, published by Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, 5th
Edition, page 669. The cost difference of constructing a higher
railing is minimal when you consider the benefit of safety provided
over the lifetime of a building.
P. O. Box 1200 Telephone (303) 586-5331
Town of Estes Park Estes Park, Colorado 80517
Rollen Sutter, Chairman
October 31, 1975
Page two
People in Estes Park pay many thousands of dollars for a lot with
particular views. They argue that a 42 inch rail obstructs their
view when sitting in a lounge type chair. While this is true, an
average adult could see over a 42 inch rail from an 18 inch high
typical desk or table chair. Railings can also be designed trans-
parently. It should be determined whether the property rights of a
homeowner or speculative builder are being substantially infringed
upon of if an undue hardship is created by this 42 inch guardrail
requirement.
I firmly believe in strong building codes for the protection of the
public. However, if this issue is to become controversial and widely
opposed, I have two recommendations as possible solutions. An addenda
to the 1973 Uniform Building Code to allow:
1) A 36 inch guardrail height for Group I occupancy. (Dwellings
and lodging houses). This should be limited to one and two
family dwellings only.
AND / OR
2). A 36 inch guardrail when the distance above grade does not
exceed a particular height.
I have made the majority of contractors aware of the 42 inch guard-
rail height requirement and intend to continue its enforcement unless
an addenda is adopted. To my knowledge there is only one remaining
home without a certificate of occupany which is presently not in
compliance.
I hope this committee can find an equitable and just solution to the
problem.
Yours truly,
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
Public Works Department
Clint Fairchild
Building Inspector
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