# WAC 51-52-0306: WAC 51-52-0306. Section 306 — Access and service space > Washington · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0306 ## Section - **Citation:** WAC 51-52-0306 - **Heading:** WAC 51-52-0306. Section 306 — Access and service space - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 51 / Chapter 51-52 / Section 51-52-0306 ## Text 306.5 Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures. Where equipment requiring access or appliances are located on an elevated structure or the roof of a building such that personnel will have to climb higher than 16 feet (4877 mm) above grade to access such equipment or appliances, an interior or exterior means of access shall be provided. Such access shall not require climbing over obstructions greater than 30 inches (762 mm) in height or walking on roofs having a slope greater than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33 percent slope). Such access shall not require the use of portable ladders. Where access involves climbing over parapet walls, the height shall be measured to the top of the parapet wall. Permanent ladders installed to provide the required access shall comply with the following minimum design criteria: 1. The side railing shall extend above the parapet or roof edge not less than 42 inches (1067 mm). 2. Ladders shall have rung spacing not to exceed 12 inches (305 mm) on center. The uppermost rung shall be a maximum of 24 inches below the upper edge of the roof hatch, roof or parapet, as applicable. 3. Ladders shall have a toe spacing not less than 7 inches (178 mm) deep. 4. There shall be a minimum of 18 inches (457 mm) between rails. 5. Rungs shall have a minimum 0.75-inch (19 mm) diameter and be capable of withstanding a 300-pound (136.1 kg) load. 6. Ladders over 30 feet (9144 mm) in height shall be provided with offset sections and landings capable of withstanding 100 pounds (488.2 kg/m 2 ) per square foot. Landing dimensions shall be not less than 18 inches and not less than the width of the ladder served. A guardrail shall be provided on all open sides of the landing. 7. Climbing clearances. The distance from the centerline of the rungs to the nearest permanent object on the climbing side of the ladder shall be a minimum of 30 inches measured perpendicular to the rungs. This distance shall be maintained from the point of ladder access to the bottom of the roof hatch the width of the ladder served. A guardrail shall be provided on all open sides of the landing. 7. Climbing clearances. The distance from the centerline of the rungs to the nearest permanent object on the climbing side of the ladder shall be a minimum of 30 inches measured perpendicular to the rungs. This distance shall be maintained from the point of ladder access to the bottom of the roof hatch. A minimum clear width of 15 inches shall be provided on both sides of the ladder measured from the midpoint of and parallel with the rungs except where cages or wells are installed. 8. Landing required. The ladder shall be provided with a clear and unobstructed bottom landing area having a minimum dimension of 30 inches by 30 inches centered in front of the ladder. 9. Ladders shall be protected against corrosion by approved means. 10. Access to ladders shall be provided at all times. Catwalks installed to provide the required access shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) wide and shall have railings as required for service platforms. EXCEPTION: This section shall not apply to Group R-3 occupancies. 306.6 Appliances above ceilings. Appliances that are located above ceilings shall have access for inspection, service and repair without removing permanent construction . Appliances that are located above a ceiling shall be provided with access to the working space(s) by an opening not smaller than 22 inches by 22 inches (559 mm by 559 mm). All enclosure doors or hinged panels shall be capable of opening a minimum of 90 degrees. The appliance is not required to be removable or replaceable through the enclosure door, hinged panel, removable lay-in ceiling tile, or other removable covers. The appliance may be removed or replaced by removing the ceiling or wall assemblies adjacent to the appliance as long as they are not permanent construction . EXCEPTIONS: 1 hinged panels shall be capable of opening a minimum of 90 degrees. The appliance is not required to be removable or replaceable through the enclosure door, hinged panel, removable lay-in ceiling tile, or other removable covers. The appliance may be removed or replaced by removing the ceiling or wall assemblies adjacent to the appliance as long as they are not permanent construction . EXCEPTIONS: 1. This section shall not apply to replacement appliances installed in existing compartments and alcoves where the working space clearances are in accordance with the appliance manufacturer's installation instructions. 2. A smaller enclosure door, hinged panel, removable lay-in ceiling tile, or other removable covers shall be permitted when allowed by the appliance manufacturer's installation instructions and electrical access is not required. ## Nearby sections - [WAC 51-52-001 WAC 51-52-001. Authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_001.md) - [WAC 51-52-002 WAC 51-52-002. Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_002.md) - [WAC 51-52-003 WAC 51-52-003. International Mechanical Code](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_003.md) - [WAC 51-52-004 WAC 51-52-004. Conflict between International Mechanical Code and State Energy Code chapter 51-11C WAC](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_004.md) - [WAC 51-52-007 WAC 51-52-007. Exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_007.md) - [WAC 51-52-008 WAC 51-52-008. Implementation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_008.md) - [WAC 51-52-0101 WAC 51-52-0101. Section 101 — General](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0101.md) - [WAC 51-52-0113 WAC 51-52-0113. Section 113 — Stop work order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0113.md) - [WAC 51-52-0202 WAC 51-52-0202. Section 202 — General definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0202.md) - [WAC 51-52-0306 WAC 51-52-0306. Section 306 — Access and service space](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0306.md) - [WAC 51-52-0307 WAC 51-52-0307. Section 307 — Condensate disposal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0307.md) - [WAC 51-52-0401 WAC 51-52-0401. Section 401 — General](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0401.md) - [WAC 51-52-0403 WAC 51-52-0403. Section 403 — Mechanical ventilation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0403.md) - [WAC 51-52-0404 WAC 51-52-0404. Section 404—Enclosed parking garages and automobile repair facilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0404.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_51_52_0306. 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