2707 COLBY AVE BASE FILE 2018-01-02 MF Import

Jeffrey S. McFall, Everett June 1, 1992 Page 2 Now to your other questions: Q1: Assuming a 500 seat auditorium has stepped center aisles with seating on both sides, the stepped aisles risers and treads conform to 3315(02, and additional side aisles are provided with handrails on one side (the wall side of the side aisle), are handrails required at center aisles? The purpose of an auditorium is to view a performance, if safety considerations interrupt the view (i.e., if the handrails are within normal sightlines of seating) is the purpose defeated? Al: We would have to say that safety considerations override keeping sightlines open. Nonetheless, I find it difficult to see how a 34" high single rail at the side of the seats (plus intermediate rail if a central handrail is used) would block the sight lines. There are two steps between seating platforms which means there is anywhere between a 8" and 14" difference in elevation. I did some informal measurements of the people in our office in their seats and the women averaged 32" above the seat and the men 36". Since the high point of the rail would be behind you on the upper platform and would slope downward I don't see it blocking your view any more than say a taller man or woman sitting in front of you when you are in the center of the seating area. Perhaps the sightlines on the aisle at the bottom rows will have a small blocked area to th-_ left or right by a central handrail, but only if the viewer were looking to the extreme edge of the stage in which case you would again probably have the same problem if you were in the center of the seating areas. It might be uncomfortable to have the rail at just below eye level when you look across the aisles to the other seats but it is far better to have the handrails there in the event that you were about to fall. (I saw this happen two months ago at the Seattle Rep by the way. There are no rails in the balcony seating and an elderly man misjudged the steps and fell hurting himself badly). Q2: Does the back of fixed seating serve as an adequate support in lieu of handrails? A2: The seat back would not provide the gripping and stabilizing effect that a handrail gives you were you about to fall. (I am enclosing an article from our magazine of a few years ago which discusses this issue). Therefore, it is not an acceptable alternative. A series of U-shaped handrails right next to the seats on each side of the two center aisles would provide enough stability and probably reduce the claimed sight line problem. We hope this helps .you in your administration of the new UBC. Thank you for your interest in uniformity of code administration. Very truly yours, Jerry J. Barbera, P.E. Regional Manager Enclosure spm c/Jon Traw Z�L