Open AccessForensic Engineering Investigations Of Guards Handrails And Stairs
Author(s) -
Norman L. Cooper
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of the national academy of forensic engineers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.102
H-Index - 1
eISSN - 2379-3252
pISSN - 2379-3244
DOI - 10.51501/jotnafe.v21i1.629
Subject(s) - stairs , tread , engineering , forensic engineering , liability , structural engineering , law , political science , chemistry , natural rubber , organic chemistry
There Are More Accidental Deaths From Falls In The United States Than From Fire, Drowning, And Air Travel Combined. The Following Summarizes Forensic Engineering Investigations (In Several Of The United States) Of Guards, Handrails, And Stairs, Most Following Falls Resulting In Injury Or Death. The Fundamental Issue Is Whether The Guards, Handrails, And Stairs Complied With The Applicable Building Code. Liability, Advocacy, And Unsafe Structure Requirements Are Discussed. Many Example Cases Are Cited Involving Code Noncompliance Including: Guards: Omission, Strength, Gap, Height, And Ladder Effect; Handrails: Omission, Height, Grip, Length, Strength, Return, And Continuity; Stairs: Omission, Obstruction, Strength, Riser Height, Tread Length, Uniformity, Tread Slope, Riser Gap, And Lighting. Case Outcomes Are Discussed And Recommendations Made.