Section 1504 — PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIANS

[BS] 1504.1 Protection of pedestrians. Pedestrians shall be protected during construction and demolition activities as required by Sections 1504.1.1 through 1504.1.7 and Table 1504.1. Signs shall be provided to direct pedestrian traffic.

TABLE 1504.1—PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIANS

HEIGHT OF CONSTRUCTION	DISTANCE OF CONSTRUCTION TO LOT LINE	TYPE OF PROTECTION REQUIRED
8 feet or less	Less than 5 feet	Construction railings
8 feet or less	5 feet or more	None
More than 8 feet	Less than 5 feet	Barrier and covered walkway
More than 8 feet	5 feet or more, but not more than one-fourth the height of construction	Barrier and covered walkway
More than 8 feet	5 feet or more, but between one-fourth and one-half the height of construction	Barrier
More than 8 feet	5 feet or more, but exceeding one-half the height of construction	None
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.	For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.	For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

[BS] 1504.1.1 Walkways. A walkway shall be provided for pedestrian travel in front of every construction and demolition site unless the applicable governing authority authorizes the sidewalk to be fenced or closed. A walkway shall be provided for pedestrian travel that leads from a building entrance or exit of an occupied structure to a public way. Walkways shall be of sufficient width to accommodate the pedestrian traffic, but shall be not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) in width. Walkways shall be provided with a durable walking surface and shall be accessible in accordance with Chapter 11 A of the California Building Code . Walkways shall be designed to support all imposed loads and the design live load shall be not less than 150 pounds per square foot (psf) (7.2 kN/m [2] ).

[BS] 1504.1.2 Directional barricades. Pedestrian traffic shall be protected by a directional barricade where the walkway extends into the street. The directional barricade shall be of sufficient size and construction to direct vehicular traffic away from the pedestrian path.

[BS] 1504.1.3 Construction railings. Construction railings shall be not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) in height and shall be sufficient to direct pedestrians around construction areas.

15-4 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS

[BS] 1504.1.4 Barriers. Barriers shall be not less than 8 feet (2438 mm) in height and shall be placed on the side of the walkway nearest the construction. Barriers shall extend the entire length of the construction site. Openings in such barriers shall be protected by doors that are normally kept closed.

[BS] 1504.1.4.1 Barrier design. Barriers shall be designed to resist loads required in Chapter 16 of the California Building Code unless constructed as follows:

Barriers shall be provided with 2-inch by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) top and bottom plates.
The barrier material shall be boards not less than [3] / 4 inch (19.1 mm) in thickness or wood structural use panels not less than [1] / 4 inch (6.4 mm) in thickness.
Wood structural use panels shall be bonded with an adhesive identical to that for exterior wood structural use panels.
Wood structural use panels [1] / 4 inch (6.4 mm) or [15] / 16 inch (23.8 mm) in thickness shall have studs spaced not more than 2 feet (610 mm) on center.
Wood structural use panels [3] / 8 inch (9.5 mm) or [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm) in thickness shall have studs spaced not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) on center, provided that a 2-inch by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) stiffener is placed horizontally at mid-height where the stud spacing is greater than 2 feet (610 mm) on center.
Wood structural use panels [5] / 8 inch (15.9 mm) or thicker shall not span over 8 feet (2438 mm).

[BS] 1504.1.5 Covered walkways. Covered walkways shall have a clear height of not less than 8 feet (2438 mm) as measured from the floor surface to the canopy overhead. Adequate lighting shall be provided at all times. Covered walkways shall be designed to support all imposed loads. The design live load shall be not less than 150 psf (7.2 kN/m [2] ) for the entire structure.

Exception: Roofs and supporting structures of covered walkways for new, light-frame construction not exceeding two stories above grade plane are permitted to be designed for a live load of 75 psf (3.6 kN/m [2] ) or the loads imposed on them, whichever is greater. In lieu of such designs, the roof and supporting structure of a covered walkway are permitted to be constructed as follows:

Footings shall be continuous 2-inch by 6-inch (51 mm by 152 mm) members.
Posts not less than 4 inches by 6 inches (102 mm by 152 mm) shall be provided on both sides of the roof and spaced not more than 12 feet (3658 mm) on center.
Stringers not less than 4 inches by 12 inches (102 mm by 305 mm) shall be placed on edge on the posts.
Joists resting on the stringers shall be not less than 2 inches by 8 inches (51 mm by 203 mm) and shall be spaced not more than 2 feet (610 mm) on center.
The deck shall be planks not less than 2 inches (51 mm) thick or wood structural panels with an exterior exposure durability classification not less than [23] / 32 inch (18.3 mm) thick nailed to the joists.
Each post shall be knee-braced to joists and stringers by members not less than 2 inches by 4 inches (51 mm by 102 mm); 4 feet (1219 mm) in length.
A curb that is not less than 2 inches by 4 inches (51 mm by 102 mm) shall be set on edge along the outside edge of the deck.

ls with an exterior exposure durability classification not less than [23] / 32 inch (18.3 mm) thick nailed to the joists. 6. Each post shall be knee-braced to joists and stringers by members not less than 2 inches by 4 inches (51 mm by 102 mm); 4 feet (1219 mm) in length. 7. A curb that is not less than 2 inches by 4 inches (51 mm by 102 mm) shall be set on edge along the outside edge of the deck.

[BS] 1504.1.6 Repair, maintenance and removal. Pedestrian protection required by Section 1504.1 shall be maintained in place and kept in good order for the entire length of time pedestrians are subject to being endangered. The owner or the owner’s authorized agent, on completion of the construction activity, shall immediately remove walkways, debris and other obstructions and leave such public property in as good a condition as it was before such work was commenced.

[BS] 1504.1.7 Adjacent to excavations. Every excavation on a site located 5 feet (1524 mm) or less from the street lot line shall be enclosed with a barrier not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) in height. Where located more than 5 feet (1524 mm) from the street lot line, a barrier shall be erected where required by the code official. Barriers shall be of adequate strength to resist wind pressure as specified in Chapter 16 of the California Building Code .