13-124-330 Guards – Types.

   Guards may be formed by walls, balustrades, grills or railings not less than three feet, six inches in height, by area gratings or by other approved devices.

   Exception: For single-family and two-family dwellings, and within individual dwelling units in other Class A-2 occupancies which are primarily permanent in nature, guards whose top rail also serves as a handrail shall have a height of not less than 34 inches and not more than 38 inches, measured vertically from the leading edge of the stair tread nosing.

(Prior code § 75-1.2; Amend Coun. J. 10-1-03, p. 9163, § 4.9)

13-124-335 Openings in guards.

   Open guards shall have balusters or ornamental patterns such that a four-inch-diameter sphere cannot pass through any opening up to a height of 34 inches. From a height of 34 inches to 42 inches above the adjacent walking surfaces, a sphere eight inches in diameter shall not pass.

   Exceptions:

      1.   The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail at the open side of a stairway shall be of a maximum size such that a sphere of six inches in diameter cannot pass through the opening.

      2.   At elevated walking surfaces for access to and use of electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems or equipment, guards shall have balusters or be of solid materials such that a sphere with a diameter of 21 inches cannot pass through any opening.

      3.   In Class G, H-1, H-2 and I occupancies and in Residential Restrained Care Facilities in Class B occupancies, balusters, horizontal intermediate rails or other construction shall not permit a sphere with a diameter of 21 inches to pass through any opening.

      4.   In assembly seating areas, guards at the end of aisles where they terminate at a fascia of boxes, balconies and galleries shall have balusters or ornamental patterns such that a four-inch-diameter sphere cannot pass through any opening up to a height of 26 inches above the adjacent walking surfaces. From a height of 26 inches to 42 inches above the adjacent walking surfaces, a sphere eight inches in diameter shall not pass.

(Added Coun. J. 10-1-03, p. 9163, § 4.10; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 48139, § 1)

13-124-340 Window cleaning devices.

   Every window above the first story of any building other than Residential Units three stories or less in height shall be equipped with approved anchoring devices for window washers' safety harness attachments, except as follows:

   (a)   When a window is so constructed that it may be cleaned on both sides from the inside;

   (b)   When a window is so located that it may be cleaned from an outside floor, roof or balcony.

(Prior code § 75-2)

13-124-350 Safety glazing materials – Required – Where.

   All glazed doors, and any glazed panel more than 18 inches in width immediately adjacent to any door wherein the sill of such glazed panel is less than 24 inches above the floor shall be considered “hazardous locations” and shall be glazed with safety glazing materials. Glazed doors shall include, among others, the following: sliding glass doors, storm doors, shower doors and bathtub enclosures.

(Prior code § 75-3)

13-124-360 Safety glazing materials – Defined.

   Safety glazing materials are materials so constructed, treated or combined with other materials as to minimize the likelihood of accidental cutting and piercing injuries resulting from human contact and breakage of the glazing material. They shall not support combustion and may be either transparent or nontransparent.

(Prior code § 75-4)

13-124-370 Safety glazing materials – Standards.

   Wired glass, tempered glass, laminated glass and rigid plastics, which meet the test requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard ANSI-Z-97, 1-1966 are classified as safety glazing materials.

(Prior code § 75-5)

ARTICLE III. EXCAVATION WORK ON PRIVATE PROPERTY (13-124-380 et seq.)

13-124-380 Declaration of policy.

   Notwithstanding any provision of state law to the contrary, the owner of property on which excavation work is to be performed, and the person actually performing the work, shall protect the adjacent and subjacent support of the adjoining public way and structures located on the property of another and within five feet of any portion of the excavating work, in accordance with this chapter.

(Added Coun. J. 12-15-99, p. 21407, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-25-01, p. 64897, § 4)

13-124-390 Notice.

   At least 30 days prior to beginning the excavation work, the owner of the property where the work is to be done shall notify the owners of adjacent properties and alderman of the ward in which the proposed excavation work is to be located of the anticipated starting date and three-dimensional measurement of the excavation work. The notice shall be in writing, and shall be delivered by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal delivery to the person entitled to receive the notice, accompanied by a receipt for delivery. When the notice is served by personal delivery, the owner of the property shall submit to the department of buildings a signed affidavit stating the date and time of the delivery and an explanation of how the notice was served. The receipt, affidavit and a copy of the notice shall be available for inspection at the excavation site.

(Added Coun. J. 12-15-99, p. 21407, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 9-14-05, p. 55258, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 230)