Structural strength of hook 2

[ajk1]

In a building that is used both by a 5 classroom school for young children, and also by adults, we are told that we cannot install coat hooks in the newly renovated washroom stalls because of safety regarding the children. This means that the adults have no place to hang their suit jackets when they use the stall. Does anyone know if there are hooks that are designed to address this? For example hooks that will break away at a given load? Or that is mounted on a spring? I was wondering if a spring-type door stopper would do?

 

[rb1957]

good grief ! how is a hook mounted 5' from the floor a hazard for a child ? maybe adults need to bring one of their own, that'd clip onto the door top edge ??

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[ajk1]

I thought of that too, but it would be a bit impractical in this building.

 

[PSEPK]

In case children and the adults use the building at different times of the day, you may probably propose some type of temporary arrangement. For example, a portable hook stand that could be placed at a convenient place when the adults use the facility, and moved inside a storage place when the children time starts.

 

[ajk1]

Thanks PSEPK, I had not thought of that.

 

[BAretired]

What is the danger? Some kid is going to hang himself or one of his classmates?

BA

 

[bridgebuster]

The stupidity of our "educators" never ends. No wonder why the school systems are in the shape they're in.

PSEPK has the best idea. If that's too dangerous for the school officials people will have to throw their cost over the door or wear it on the throne.

 

[EngineeringEric]

Sounds like a question for an Architect! Just don't have any hooks, it is the owners choice. Why try and add them. or add cheap plastic ones from 3M that have a 5-pound limit, assuming they have a factor of 3 that is less weight than a first grader.

http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3...s/Catalog/?N=5584741+5924736+3294529207&rt=r3

 

[JAE]

So to me the key here (being in a structural forum) is how much weight will the hooks take - what is the ASCE 7 loads required on those hooks. Does any lateral wind load on the hooks happen (i.e. internal 5 psf loading) and how massive are the hooks relative to seismic forces. The questions just won't stop.

(sorry for the bad humor)...

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[JStephen]

I think I see what's going on here. This is an effort to prevent the teachers from hanging kids on those hooks.

 

[JAE]

I've seen that done!


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[ajk1]

The architect just says that the stall partition supplier told him that cannot put hooks on the new partitions, for safety reasons. I expect that it is concern for a child hanging himself. I don't know if there is actually legislation against it, but I suspect that there is. I don't suppose anyone here would know?

The starchitect seems not to care at all about addressing the issue, or any issue of practicality in his various renovations of the building. Maybe my best course of action should be to just wait until others complain...hopefully they will. My experience with starchitects is that they don't care how impractical something is, as long as it looks good and reflects praise and glory on him. Beneath his dignity to walk into the washroom and try it out.

EngineeringEric's idea of using the 3M hanger seems good to me provided it is load tested to failure to confirm that the failure load does not exceed 15 pounds. I think that I could do this with a spring type fish scale and pull down on it till the 3M hanger fails .

 

[bridgebuster]

There is a hook that will break away if excessively loaded, but the product data doesn't define excessively loaded.

http://www.bobrick.com/washroomaccessories/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?Product+Number=B-983

 

[Archie264]

I’m wondering if it has more to do with concern over a rambunctious kid slamming another kid into it during horseplay, or perhaps as an eye-gouging hazard.

Any time objects protrude from the wall they can present hazards. Likewise with footstool-sized objects presenting tripping hazards. Passageway should be as unimpeded as possible.

If it is related to the object’s breakaway strength then I think Eric solved the problem. I use those 3M hooks at my house and they work as advertised.

 

[ajk1]

Hi Bridgebuster - looks like you may have identified a solution. I will contact the company that make the Bobrick hanger and discuss with them. Thanks very much.

Hi Oldestguy - I am reluctant to have the janitor install any hook, because with my luck someone will get injured and the finger will be pointed at me.

 

[bridgebuster]

no problem ajk1. I'd be interested in knowing how it turns out.

 

[ajk1]

Hi bridgebuster - I contacted the Bobrick company and they say that the B-983 hook has a breaking load of 50 pounds and is generally used in jails. So unfortunately this does not seem like the solution, but good thought. The Bobrick Company suggests their 7671 hook,which has a blunt end so would eliminate the eye poking hazard, and they say it has a low breaking load, but they don't know what the breaking load is. They are looking into it and will get back. It looks to me that is is not a low breaking load type hook, but I will see what they say. Perhaps I should go to Home Depot and see what they have.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Here's a silly idea to match such a silly discussion; why not use a spring door stopper? Doubles to keep kids from their impending doom and to stop the stall doors from banging all while providing a great hook for things that don't weight much.

Only downside is now the bathrooms will be filled with the sound "BOING!" as kids play with the damn thing while on the toilet.

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Also; huh, I guess this is a thing:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/subur...ught-playing-hanging-game-20140605-story.html

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.

 

[ajk1]

Please see my original question at the top...that is precisely what I suggested. However it might poke someone's eye out, so probably is not a good idea.