When mechanical equipment is in the attic...

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Attics are not considered confined spaces.

1910.146 Confined space means a space that:
Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
2. Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example. tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry); and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
Non-Permit confined space means a confined space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Personally if does not feel safe to enter i will not. I do the best for my client. but i will not risk life or limb. It has kept me alive doing it this way most of my life , Not just doing Inspections but in ever thing.

[Chuck Lambert]

Originally Posted by wwilson3

Personally if does not feel safe to enter i will not. I do the best for my client. but i will not risk life or limb. It has kept me alive doing it this way most of my life , Not just doing Inspections but in ever thing.

Wayne,

I fully agree with you. However I am not gonna cry "I can't or won't go here or ther due to OSHA standards" as they have no place or bearing during a home inspection.

Chuck

[David A. Andersen]

Neither does swinging across trusses comply with Home Inspection Standards.

I didn't say it is an OSHA violation, you spend too much time trying to enforce these codes and regs.

My point is IF you were not inclined to enter a 16" attic space and someone asked you why...

"I just don't feel like it", don't cut it!

1910.146 Confined space means a space that:
Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
2. Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example. tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry); and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
Non-Permit confined space means a confined space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.

I am not implying we fall under these regs, but have you ever found a detached furnace flue, bare wires, gas leaks in an attic?

I have (ever have bare romex hit you in the forehead as you climb into an attic? If not, Give it time.), and if I feel that a piece-of-crap house may have these in a place where I have no requirement to go I won't.

Call it "spin" if you like. If you can't enter confined spaces IAW OSHA regs for a specific reason I have no problem using them if they parallel these safety standards.

I posted 10 reasons above why you don't have to enter a dangerous space IAW HI SOP, especially when your working alone! I know your superman and this doesn't apply to you though!

[Chuck Lambert]

Originally Posted by dandersen

I know your superman and this doesn't apply to you though!

Where is he I would like to meet him

Chuck

[David A. Andersen]

Last I saw him he was traipsing through my attic over to where I keep the kryptonite!

BTW, I own a Cape Cod style home without a 30 inch attic!

[Chuck Evans]

Originally Posted by dokeefe

I'm in the middle of taking the advanced HVAC course, the answer is 20'. I did not know this before. Can anyone tell me why 20'? Why does it matter?

The code section is IRC M1305.1.3

M1305.1.3 Appliances in attics. Attics containing ap-
pliances requiring access shall be provided with an opening
and a clear and unobstructed passageway large enough to al-
low removal of the largest appliance, but not less than 30 inches
(762 mm) high and 22 inches (559 mm) wide and not
more than 20 feet (6096mm)in lengthwhenmeasured along
the centerline of the passageway from the opening to the ap-
pliance. The passageway shall have continuous solid floor-
ing in accordance withChapter 5 not less than 24 inches (610
mm)wide.Alevel service space at least 30 inches (762 mm)
deep and 30 inches (762 mm) wide shall be present along all
sides of the appliancewhere access is required. The clear ac-
cess opening dimensions shall be aminimum of 20 inches by
30 inches (508mmby 762 mm), where such dimensions are
large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance.

There are a couple of exceptions...

Beyond the basic objective of providing access for servicing equipment the basis of the requirement is for safety of service personnel. Because attic spaces may be subject to extreme temperatures the thinking is that the risk to service personnel being exposed to extreme heat is reduced if suitable access is provided. This is why one of the exceptions extends the maximum distance to 50 feet if the headroom is at least 6ft, allowing the service people to walk upright rather than crouch or crawl to and from the equipment.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Oh dear...

I'm concerned about stepping upon fire sprinkler system pipes when the attic is filled with blown-in fiberglass insulation, and not being able to return the insulation after disturbing it.

Attachment 37795

We don't do fire sprinklers in attics here, unless you don't mind flooding your home in the winter months from freezing/bursting pipes.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Neither does swinging across trusses comply with Home Inspection Standards.

I didn't say it is an OSHA violation, you spend too much time trying to enforce these codes and regs.

My point is IF you were not inclined to enter a 16" attic space and someone asked you why...

"I just don't feel like it", don't cut it!


I am not implying we fall under these regs, but have you ever found a detached furnace flue, bare wires, gas leaks in an attic?

I have (ever have bare romex hit you in the forehead as you climb into an attic? If not, Give it time.), and if I feel that a piece-of-crap house may have these in a place where I have no requirement to go I won't.

Call it "spin" if you like. If you can't enter confined spaces IAW OSHA regs for a specific reason I have no problem using them if they parallel these safety standards.

I posted 10 reasons above why you don't have to enter a dangerous space IAW HI SOP, especially when your working alone! I know your superman and this doesn't apply to you though!

I agree David .

[David A. Andersen]

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f52/acces...heights-52018/

I'm not the only one that uses OSHA "excuses"!