32A-172 Code Review 2013-01-16
William Turomsha
P.O. Box 141
Leeds, MA 01053
January 16, 2013
re: 11-15 Bridge Street project roof guardrails
Mr. Turomsha,
I reviewed the plans and specifications you submitted for the guardrails on the roof areas accessible from the dwelling units. I did a site visit to view the roof areas.
The methods and materials you have proposed meet the requirements of the building code and I approve the plans. The material you propose to use to protect the area below the guard rail
has sufficient strength to meet the code requirements. The sort of latticework commonly available does not have the strength to withstand the code requirement for a 50 lb. concentrated
load.
As to your request to put a gate in the guardrails, I will not approve a gate. Access to the unprotected roof area (the area without guardrails) must be restricted to service and maintenance
personnel only. A gate is not necessary for that kind of access and would allow easy access for an unwary person, placing them in a hazardous situation.
Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.
Respectfully,
Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
(413) 587-1240
lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov