Hands On the Wheel and Appliance Protection

Hands On the Wheel and Appliance Protection                                  Wenatchee, Chelan  Home Inspection 

Do you have a teenager who will be hitting the roads? This just reaffirms one of the things I look for in garages. I refer to automobile is little 4 wheeled missles that can have a major impact on life and property.

Here we have a home I inspected that has a little target practice for those younger ones that are getting their first real world experience of driving these 4 wheeled missiles. It is pretty standard to place appliances off to the side of the garage but really are they protected? I would argue this is an easy target for an incoming cruiser. 

The Uniform mechanical code states (M1307.3.1 Protection from impact) - Appliances located in a garage or carport shall be protected from impact by automobiles.

Several jurisdictions define this protection by the following.

1. Four (4") inch round steel tubing imbedded in the concrete and a minimum of twelve (12") inches in depth from top of slab to bottom of tube. Steel tubing must be a minimum of thirty-six (36") inches in height above finished floor and spaced every four (4') feet in front of the appliance location.

 2. A raised concrete platform not less than four (4") inches higher than the finished floor with a minimum clearance of three (3') feet from the front of the appliances to the edge of the platform.

 3. A separate compartment for the appliances completely framed with a minimum of 2x4 framing members and finished on both sides with no greater than a thirty-six (36") inch opening or a separate access door. Any requirements regarding combustion air for the appliances shall be met.

 4. A wheel stop placed a minimum of three (3') feet from the front of the appliance and permanently attached to the floor by a mechanical fastener such as wedge anchors or rebar, drilled and epoxied into the slab. The wheel stop must be a minimum of six (6") inches in thickness from the floor to the top of the stop.

 IFC (International Fire Code) SECTION 312 VEHICLE IMPACT PROTECTION defines protection as-
312.1 General. Vehicle impact protection required by this code shall be provided by posts that comply with Section 312.2 or by other approved physical barriers that comply with Section

312.2 Posts. Guard posts shall comply with all of the following requirements:
1. Constructed of steel not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter and concrete filled.
2. Spaced not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) between posts on center.
3. Set not less than 3 feet (914 mm) deep in a concrete footing of not less than a 15-inch (381 mm) diameter.
4. Set with the top of the posts not less than 3 feet (914 mm) above ground.
5. Located not less than 3 feet (914 mm) from the protected object.
312.3 Other barriers. Physical barriers shall be a minimum of 36 inches (914 mm) in height and shall resist a force of 12,000 pounds (53 375 N) applied 36 inches (914 mm) above the adjacent
ground surface.

Not all jurisdictions enforce and/or adopted these references but I think some reasonable judgment should be made.

So when little Billy comes cruising into the garage trying to miss Dad's golf bag would it be nice to have that protection so you water heater or furnace is not an emergency call?

Hands On the Wheel and Appliance Protection                                  Wenatchee, Chelan  Home Inspection 

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