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Bill No. 08048500.pdf
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City of Philadelphia
City of Philadelphia - 1 -
City Council
Chief Clerk's Office
402 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107
BILL NO. 080485
Introduced May 15, 2008
Councilmembers Kenney and DiCicco
Referred to the
Committee on Streets and Services
AN ORDINANCE
Amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building
Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode "B" ("The Philadelphia
Building Code"), by amending the provisions of Chapter 33, relating to safeguards during
construction, and, in particular, the provisions relating to covered walkways and other
measures for the protection of pedestrians during construction, all under certain terms and
conditions.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building
Construction and Occupancy Code," is hereby amended to read as follows:
TITLE 4. THE PHILADELPHIA BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
AND OCCUPANCY CODE.
* * *
CHAPTER 4-200. TEXT OF SUBCODES.
* * *
SUBCODE "B" (THE PHILADELPHIA BUILDING CODE)
* * *
CHAPTER 33
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SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
* * *
SECTION 3306
PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIANS
* * *
3306.2 Walkways. The provisions of this subsection 3306.2, including, but not limited to,
the provisions of subsection 3306.2.1 (Covered Walkways), shall control over any
contrary provisions of Table 3306.1. A walkway shall be provided for pedestrian travel in
front of every construction and demolition site unless the authority having jurisdiction
Streets Department authorizes the sidewalk to be fenced or closed, provided that the
Streets Department shall not authorize the closure of any sidewalk under the provisions
of Title 11, any regulation promulgated under that Title, or any other authority, unless
the Streets Department makes a written determination that a covered walkway in
compliance with this Chapter is impracticable in the circumstances. Walkways shall be
of sufficient width to accommodate the pedestrian traffic, but in no case shall they be less
than 4 feet (1219 mm) in width. Walkways shall be provided with a durable walking
surface. Walkways shall be accessible in accordance with Chapter 11 and shall be
designed to support all imposed loads and in no case shall the design live load be less
than 150 pounds per square foot (psf) (7.2 kN/m2).
3306.2.1 Covered Walkways.
3306.2.1.1. A covered walkway shall be erected when a structure higher
than forty feet is to be constructed or a structure higher than twenty-five feet is to be
demolished and the horizontal distance from the structure being built or demolished to
the inside edge of the permanent or temporary walkway is equal to one-half or less of the
height of the structure. A covered walkway shall be erected when a portion of a facade
over forty feet above curb level is being altered or repaired and the horizontal distance
from the portion of the structure being altered or repaired to the inside edge of the
temporary or permanent walkway is less than one-half the height of the structure being
altered or repaired.
3306.2.1.2. No covered walkway shall be erected unless and until a
special permit therefore has been issued by the department. Each applicant for a
covered walkway permit shall state the reason the covered walkway is needed. The term
of the covered walkway permit shall be one year, or upon the expiration of the
contractor's insurance, if such time period is less than one year. No renewals of covered
walkway permits, except for new buildings under construction, will be given unless an
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architect or engineer conducts a thorough examination of that part of the premises on
which work is being conducted and submits a report acceptable to the department, which
clearly documents the condition of the applicable part of the premises and the scope of
work that has been performed thereon, and estimates the time needed to complete the
work. To renew a covered walkway permit for a new building under construction, each
applicant shall file an application with the department. All renewal applications shall
include the name and address of the owner of the premises.
3306.2.1.3. A covered walkway shall be erected regardless of the height of
the structure of the horizontal distance between the structure and the sidewalk when
material or debris is to be moved by a hoist, crane, derrick, or chute over a sidewalk or
temporary sidewalk that is not closed to the public.
3306.2.1.4. Covered walkways shall be designed to support all imposed
loads. Every covered walkway deck shall be designed and constructed to carry a live
load of at least three hundred psf. However, a live load of one hundred fifty psf may be
permitted for buildings less than one hundred feet in height provided there is no storage
thereon.
Exception: Roofs and supporting structures of covered walkways
for new, light-frame construction not exceeding two stories in height are permitted to be
designed for a live load of 75 psf (3.6kN/m2) or the loads imposed on them, whichever is
greater. In lieu of such designs, the roof and supporting structure of a covered walkway
are permitted to be constructed as follows:
1. Footings shall be continuous 2-inch by 6-inch (51mm by 152
mm) members.
2. Posts not less than 4 inches by 6 inches (102 mm by 152 mm)
shall be provided on both sides of the roof and spaced not more than 12 feet (3658 mm)
o.c.
3. Stringers not less than 4 inches by 12 inches (102 mm by 305
mm) shall be placed on edge upon the posts.
4. Joists resting on the stringers shall be at least 2 inches by 8
inches (51 mm by 203 mm) and shall be spaced not more than 2 feet (610 mm) o.c.
5. The deck shall be planks at least 2 inches (51 mm) thick or wood
structural panels with an exterior exposure durability classification at least 23/32 inch
(18.3mm) thick nailed to the joists.
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6. Each post shall be knee braced to joists and stringers by 2-inch
by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) minimum members 4 feet (1219 mm) long.
7. A 2-inch by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) minimum curb shall be
set on edge along the outside edge of the deck.
3306.2.1.5. Covered walkways shall have a minimum clear height of 8 feet
(2438 mm) as measured from the floor surface to the canopy overhead.
3306.2.1.6. Covered walkways shall have adequate lighting provided at
all times. Artificial lighting units shall be inspected nightly; and burned out or
inoperative units shall be replaced or repaired immediately.
* * *
3306.7 Reserved. Covered walkways. Covered walkways shall have a minimum clear
height of 8 feet (2438 mm) as measured from the floor surface to the canopy overhead.
Adequate lighting shall be provided at all times. Covered walkways shall be designed to
support all imposed loads. In no case shall the design live load be less than 150 psf (7.2
kN/m2) for the entire structure.
Exception: Roofs and supporting structures of covered walkways for new, light-
frame construction not exceeding two stories in height are permitted to be designed for a
live load of 75 psf (3.6kN/m2) or the loads imposed on them, whichever is greater. In lieu
of such designs, the roof and supporting structure of a covered walkway are permitted to
be constructed as follows:
1. Footings shall be continuous 2-inch by 6-inch (51mm by 152 mm)
members.
2. Posts not less than 4 inches by 6 inches (102 mm by 152 mm) shall be
provided on both sides of the roof and spaced not more than 12 feet (3658 mm) o.c.
3. Stringers not less than 4 inches by 12 inches (102 mm by 305 mm) shall
be placed on edge upon the posts.
4. Joists resting on the stringers shall be at least 2 inches by 8 inches (51
mm by 203 mm) and shall be spaced not more than 2 feet (610 mm) o.c.
5. The deck shall be planks at least 2 inches (51 mm) thick or wood
structural panels with an exterior exposure durability classification at least 23/32 inch
(18.3 mm) thick nailed to the joists.
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6. Each post shall be knee braced to joists and stringers by 2-inch by 4-
inch (51 mm by 102 mm) minimum members 4 feet (1219 mm) long.
7. A 2-inch by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) minimum curb shall be set on
edge along the outside edge of the deck.
* * *
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall not become effective until the Secretary of the
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry certifies approval of this Ordinance or
the City Solicitor certifies to the Department of Licenses and Inspections that the
requirements of section 503 of Act 45 of 1999 as amended (35 P.S. § 7210.503) have
otherwise been satisfied so as to permit the Ordinance to go into law.
Explanation:
Italics indicate new matter added.
Strikethrough indicates matter deleted.
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