La. Admin. Code tit. 51 § V-305

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 8, August 20, 2024

Section V-305 - Regulations for Rodent-Proofing of Existing Buildings [formerly paragraphs 5:031]

A. No person shall reconstruct any building or structure, or repair or remodel any building or structure to the extent of 50 percent of the value of the structure, unless the same shall be made rodent-proof by the proper use of impervious material. Provided, that only such repairs or remodeling as affects or may affect the rodent-proof condition of the building or structure shall be considered subject to the provisions of this regulation.

B. [formerly paragraph 5:032] When rodent-borne diseases have been declared by the state health officer to be prevalent in a community, no alteration or repairs to existing structure to the extent of 50 percent of the value of the structure shall be undertaken without a permit from the state health officer.

C. [formerly paragraph 5:033] All foundation wall ventilator openings shall be covered for their entire height and width with perforated sheet metal plates of a thickness of not less than 14 gauge, or with expanded sheet metal of a thickness not less than 18 gauge, or with wire cloth of 19 gauge or heavier, or with cast iron grilles or gratings. The openings therein shall not exceed 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in least dimension.

D. [formerly paragraph 5:034] All foundation and exterior wall openings, except those used as doors or windows or for purposes of ventilation and light, such as openings due to deteriorated walls or broken masonry or concrete, shall be protected against the ingress of rodents by closing such openings with cement mortar, concrete, or masonry.

E. [formerly paragraph 5:035] All exposed edges of the lower 10 inches of wooden doors, door sills, and jambs serving as rear or side entrances into business buildings, and other doors accessible to rodents, shall be protected against the gnawing of rodents by covering said doors, door sills, and jambs with solid sheet metal of not less than 24 gauge thickness. All doors on which metal flashing has been applied shall be properly hinged to ensure free swinging. When closed, doors shall fit snugly so that the maximum clearance between any door and the door jamb and sill shall not be greater than 3/8 inch (0.96 cm).

F. [formerly paragraph 5:036] All windows and other openings for the purpose of lighting or ventilating located in the side or rear of exterior walls and within 2 feet of the existing ground level immediately below such openings shall be covered for their entire height and width, including frame, with wire cloth of 19 gauge or heavier, having a mesh not larger than 1/2 inch (1.3 cm). All windows and exterior walls not covered in the above Paragraph, which are accessible to rodents by way of exposed pipes, wires, conduits and other appurtenances, shall be covered with wire cloth of 19 gauge or heavier, having a mesh not larger than 1/2 inch (1.3 cm); or, in lieu of wire cloth covering, said pipes, wires, conduits or other appurtenances shall be blocked from rodent usage by installing solid sheet metal guards of 24 gauge, or heavier. Said guards shall be fitted snugly around pipes, wires, conduits or other appurtenances. In addition, they shall be fastened securely to the exterior wall and shall extend a minimum distance of 12 inches (30.7 cm) beyond and on either side of said pipe, wire, conduit, or appurtenance. This regulation shall not apply in the case of windows which cannot be opened and whose function is solely for the purpose of admitting light.

1. [formerly paragraph 5:037-1] Light wells with windows in exterior walls, which are located below the outside ground level, shall be protected from the ingress of rodents by the following methods.

a. [formerly paragraph 5:037-2] Cast iron or steel grilles or gratings, with openings not to exceed 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in least dimension shall be installed over light wells.

b. [formerly paragraph 5:037-3] Expanded metal of 18 gauge, or heavier, having openings not greater than 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in least dimension, 16 gauge, or heavier, wire cloth of 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) mesh shall be used to completely cover existing metal light well grilles where such existing grilles are broken or are otherwise defective or which have openings larger than 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in least dimension and shall be securely attached to the existing grille.

G. [formerly paragraph 5:038-1] Any business building constructed on piers and having wooden floor sills less than 12 inches (30.7 cm) above the surface of the ground shall have the intervening space between floor sill and ground protected against the ingress of rodents by installing a solid masonry, concrete or solid sheet metal curtain wall of 24 gauge, or heavier, around the entire perimeter of the building, and extending said curtain wall to a depth of not less than 24 inches (61.4 cm) below the surface of the ground level, and fastening securely to the exterior wall of the building.

H. [formerly paragraph 5:038-2] In lieu of the installation of curtain walls, any ground floor of wood construction may be replaced with concrete of not less than 3 inches (7.7 cm) thickness, with the exterior walls protected to a height of 24 inches above the concrete floor with masonry, concrete, or solid sheet metal of 24 gauge, or heavier. Exterior wall protection shall be securely tied into the concrete floor at all points.

I. [formerly paragraph 5:039] Any building constructed on piers, and having wooden floor sills greater than 12 inches (30.7 cm) above the ground level, shall have the intervening space between floor sill and ground protected against the ingress of rodents by installing curtain walls in accordance with the Paragraph above, or protecting said building against the ingress of rodents by installing solid sheet metal collars of 24 gauge or heavier snugly around each pipe, cable, wire, conduit, or other utility service passing through wooden ground flooring. The overall diameter of any such metal collar shall be not less than 8 inches (20.5 cm) larger than the diameter of the pipe, cable, wire, conduit, or other utility service, and said collar shall be securely fastened to the wooden floor. All other openings in wooden ground floors through which rodents may gain access into double walls or the interior of a building, such as openings which may exist in floors at double walls above floor sills, shall be closed with 24 gauge or heavier solid sheet metal, or 16 gauge or heavier wire cloth of 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) mesh, or with dense concrete.

J. [formerly paragraph 5:040] Any necessary opening in an exterior wall, not heretofore enumerated, shall be effectively protected against the passage of rodents in a manner satisfactory to the Department of Health and Human Resources.

La. Admin. Code tit. 51, § V-305

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, LR 28:1227 (June 2002).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:4 and R.S. 40:5. In particular, see R.S. 40:4(A)(9).