The photo was recently taken at a building owned by the city and leased to a leading local restaurant. Obviously, the establishment complies with the various city safety codes. The business in this location attracts adults and their children. Codes are designed to protect children and adults. Remember that when you look at the guardrail on the upper floor at this busy public spot. It is at least ten feet off the floor below. The basic rule, with code, is that spindles in a high guardrail or a handrail must be spaced so a four inch sphere cannot pass through. Despite a popular misconception, codes DO NOT MANDATE that the spindles be vertical so the basic safety provision, if installed horizontally, can become an enticing ladder to youngsters while fully meeting codes. But, there is more. These so-called spindles that pass so-called scrupulous code inspector's eyes are simply flexible metal cables. They may be around four inches apart if nothing is touching them. Fact is, the slightest pressure can stretch them to what -- six inches, ten inches, a foot? The sky is the limit -- "give and flex" are the key words. Any kid could crawl right through head first or hang from them. These cables obviously meet code in a city owned building that is occupied by a leading local restaurant. If someone is to tell me that they do not have to meet code and do not, then please explain that to me as well. Does the city get a pass on their own buildings? Is there a double standard? If so, since the city is self-insured and pays for lost lawsuits with public funds, then I would ask why. I got no problem with the business here, they are a fine one and this is a city owned building that is leased to the business. So tell me, are code inspectors nuts or what? I rest my case: When unknowing people tell me that home inspectors should NEVER cite as a problem anything that is okay with a code inspector, I say "piffle" and "nuts". Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
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Hmm - good questions - relay in a post if you find out about city buildings and codes ...
Steve, we are right back at the old "minimum" standards again. This too will change when someone dies. It would never meet code on my planet :)
I should add that NO horizontal type barriers would be allowed on my planet.
Steve, agree this is a real danger to children. I wonder what the installer was thinking when he/she did this? Forget code, it does not pass the common sense test.
Dennis these horizontal barriers are VERY popular with designers/architects and seem to be getting more common instead of less common-----unlike common sense that is becoming less common.
I would have been one of those kids hanging from them!
Steve, That's a real hazard. I have seen these flexible bars used quite a bit down here in commercial buildings. This is an accident waiting to happen. jay
I find that government is much more lenient regarding rules that apply to themselves, their employees and their buildings than the rules they tend to make the rest of us adhere to.
Steve, I see TONS of this type of barrier on regular houses in this area.
Hey, Steve - ya think?!
Two legs good, four legs bad.
Mr Jay,
I know Charlie well enough to know he has NEVER seen one of these but he has to be more worldly than the rest of us, including the certifried assistant.
NS Wallenda
Many people like this cable railing setup because it supposedly doesn't obscure their view. I wonder how a dead child would obscure their view.
David,
It sure does not make sense to me. I bet that if you or I decided to do this on a high deck they would have different standards.
Steve, I have seen these wires on high end 4 story Condo Buildings----seems like the more "upscale" the building the more common they are.