What is the standard height of a deck rail?
Deck railing height should be a minimum of 36” for any platform elevated to 30” and more from the surface. The maximum space between the bottom rail and the surface is 4”. The same gap is allowed between the decorative elements of the deck railing .
How high should a deck railing be?
International Building Code regulations state that a deck railing must be at least 36 inches high if the deck is 30 inches or more higher than the adjoining ground. Some states and municipalities adopt variations of IBC regulations, and builders should always check local regulations for accurate guidelines.
How tall are handrails on a deck?
The minimum deck railing height allowed is 36 inches in most states and provinces. Evergrain Decking At Fox Deck Railings Custom Deck Railing Vinyl Deck Railing The Standard Height Of A Hand Rail Is Thirty Three Inches With An Acceptable Range Of Three Inches In Either Direc Glass Railing Deck Railing Deck Railing Code
How to measure deck post height?
- Working time 10 hrs
- Start to finish 3 days
- Difficulty Kind of Hard
- Involves Power Tools, Carpentry Skills
How high can a deck be without rails?
30-inchI went to a friend's house a while back to admire his new deck. This friend was very excited, especially by how much time he saved by not adding a railing. He'd made a point of building his deck so as to stay under the 30-inch requirement--which is the maximum deck height you can have without a railing.
What height on a porch Do you need railing?
In most cases, you are required to have a railing when the floor of your porch is 30 inches or more above grade. However, 30 inches can be a long to fall; therefore some codes may require railings if your porch is 15 or 24 inches above grade.
How many steps before you need a railing?
Building Codes The building code does not refer to the number of “steps” but it does require a handrail when there are two or more “risers”. For clarification, a “riser” is the vertical portion of a stair. The “tread” is the top of a step. A two riser minimum would translate to two steps.
How high can a deck be without a railing in Ontario?
If the elevation of your deck is more than 30 inches, you definitely need a handrail. For a single-family living in a detached home, the handrail height in Ontario is 36 inches.
Does a deck have to have a railing?
All decks higher than 30" above grade must have a guardrail. If you choose to install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30", the railing must still meet code requirements. Decks attached to single family detached homes are generally regulated under the rules of the International Residential Code (IRC).
How high can a deck be without a railing Alberta?
A minimum 900mm (36”) high guard/railing is required on the perimeter of a deck, balcony, veranda and stairs where the difference in elevation exceeds 600mm (2'-0”) above adjacent deck or ground level.
Do my deck stairs need a railing?
So whether you're constructing a residential composite deck, lumber deck or a deck made from other decking material, you're typically required to install a graspable secondary handrail on one side of the deck's stair railing when there are four or more stair risers present.
How wide can steps be without a railing?
1.2. The clear width of 48 inches (1219 mm) between handrails is not required for exit stairways accessed from a horizontal exit. The width of stairways shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1, but such width shall not be less than 44 inches (1118 mm).
Do 2 steps need a handrail?
(1) Stairways less than 44 inches in width may have one handrail or stair railing except that such stairways open on one or both sides shall have stair railings provided on the open side or sides. (2) Stairways having less than four risers need not have handrails or stair railings.
How high can a platform be without handrails?
29 CFR 1926.500(d)(1) requires every opensided floor or platform 6 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level to be guarded by a standard railing or the equivalent on all open sides, except where there is an entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder.
What is code for deck railing in Ontario?
The height of the guard must not be less than the minimum of two feet, 11 inches if the elevation is not more than five feet, 11 inches. The top rail should not be less than 36 inches from the deck surface in a residential dwelling. For commercial establishments, the top rail should not be less than 46 inches.
How many steps require a handrail Ontario?
The table below lists the minimum and maximum dimensions. Handrails and Guards Interior stairs with 3 or more steps and exterior stairs that have 4 or more steps require a handrail.
How many steps require a handrail OSHA?
Stairways with four or more risers, or that rise more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height— whichever is less—must have at least one handrail.
What side of steps should a railing be on?
A handrail should always be installed on the outside of the staircase for people to use if they need it. This is because people tend to use the handrails as support when walking up and down the stairs, so they will most likely use it when getting on and off the stairs too.
How many steps require a handrail Ontario?
The table below lists the minimum and maximum dimensions. Handrails and Guards Interior stairs with 3 or more steps and exterior stairs that have 4 or more steps require a handrail.
Where should a stair railing be placed?
The top surface of the handrail should be between 34 and 38 inches above the floor, or above the Nosing Line. Some installation guides suggest marking the height by measuring from the nosings of the steps.
How much space between deck railing and bottom rail?
The sweep space between the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4".
How strong are guardrails for stairs?
The guardrails must be strong enough to withstand a concentrated 200 lb. force anywhere along the top of the rail.
What are the requirements for a handrail for stairs?
Handrails are required for stairs in many applications and must meet standards as specified by R311.5.6.3 in the IRC code. The top edge of the handrail must be placed between 34” and 38” above the nosing of the stair treads. Handrail ends must be returned and terminated at rail posts. The handgrips must allow a minimum of 1-1/2” space between the handrail and the guardrail or wall. A variety of gripping shapes may be acceptable but must meet requirements for the gripping surface. Flat 2x4 and 2x6 handrails do not meet the requirements for graspable handrails. If you are using a circular cross section, then the handrail must have an outside diameter of between 1-1/4” and 2”.
How tall is a guardrail?
The IRC requires guardrails to be at least 36" in height, measured from the deck surface to the top of the rail. Note that some local jurisdiction or state require higher, such as 42" in California.
What is the IRC code for handrails?
Handrails are required for stairs in many applications and must meet standards as specified by R311.5.6.3 in the IRC code. The top edge of the handrail must be placed between 34” and 38” above the nosing of the stair treads. Handrail ends must be returned and terminated at rail posts.
How tall should a deck railing be?
Deck railing height is a minimum of 36”. In some states such as California, the minimum height is 42”. There is no maximum height. A railing is only necessary if the deck is 30” or more off the ground, and 24” in certain jurisdictions.
How far should a deck railing be from the tread?
If you’ve determined your deck stairs do need a railing, then you must ensure it is at least 34” vertically from the nosing (the front edge of the tread) to the handrail.
What is a deck stair rail?
You’ll hear the terms “handrail”, “guardrail”, “stair rail”, or even “graspable rail” used interchangeably. In this case, a stair rail is simply a handrail – on stairs. A handrail or graspable rail is the same thing.
Why is a 2x4 not a graspable rail?
For example, a 2×4 laid flat as a top rail would not suffice as a handrail. Why? Because it is too wide to be considered “graspable”. Think about it – it is hard to comfortably grasp the width of a 2×4.
How far apart should deck railings be?
Many states and provinces mandate deck railings to be at least 42” if the deck is 6’ or more off the ground. Deck railing openings can be wider apart – 4 ⅜ – between 36” and 42” to allow for better visibility. Below 36” openings are still only allowed to be a maximum of 4”, however.
How wide should a handrail be?
Think about it – it is hard to comfortably grasp the width of a 2×4. Therefore, the width of your circular handrail can only be between 1 ¼ and 2” wide. This allows people to quickly and effectively grasp a railing in the event of a slip or trip.
How far away from the wall should a stair rail be?
Also, keep in mind that a stair rail must be at least 1 ½” away from the wall it is attached to, if applicable. This gives a hand enough space to grab and hold in the event of a fall or slip. Some jurisdictions mandate at least 2” of clearance – so check your local code to be sure.
How high should a deck be above grade?
All decks greater than 30" above grade must have a guardrail. If you choose to install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30", you must still meet code requirements. Decks attached to single-family detached homes are regulated under the rules of the International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC requires guardrails to be at least 36" in height ...
How far apart should rail posts be?
Rail posts need to be properly fastened and should not be spaced more than about 6 feet apart to prevent a saggy or bouncy rail. Many builders run a 2x6 top cap continuously over the top of the posts and top rail to provide a clean finished edge and the practical purpose of providing a surface to set glasses, etc.
How high should a deck rail be?
The IRC ( International Residential Code) notes that deck railing systems must be at least 36 inches in height from the decking surface to the top of the top rail on homes. Outdoor living spaces connected to larger buildings such as multi-family buildings, apartment buildings, businesses, or restaurants are regulated under a different code.
When is a Deck Railing Required?
If your deck is lower than 30 inches from the ground, a railing is not required for your space.
How much force does a deck railing infill need?
Infill Load Test: The strength of the deck balusters or deck railing infill are tested so that a one-square foot area must resist at least 125 lbs of force.
How much weight can a deck rail hold?
Concentrated Load Test: The top deck rail must be capable of holding a weightload of 200 lbs of force applied at the mid-point of a post-to-post railing section, against the side of a deck post, and at the top of a deck post.
Why do you need a deck railing?
On top of keeping guests safe, another important reason to learn when a deck railing is required is to ensure that your outdoor space is up to the code of law. When constructing your deck, have a local building office send someone to inspect your space to check whether a building permit is needed or not.
How far off the ground should a deck be?
If you're learning how to build a deck and start designing a deck space, remember that porches and decks built even 12 inches off the ground, can still be enough for injuries and accidents. Considering children and pets, the risk of a fall from that low a height could be even more serious.
Can you build taller guardrails?
In either case, you are allowed to build taller guardrails as long as they conform to all other requirements stated in the code.
How far can you leave railings off a deck?
While most codes allow you to leave off the railings on decks lower than 30 inches, there are lots of reasons why you should still consider one.
How high should a balustrade rail be?
The International Building Code says that your railings must be 36 inches or higher, but that isn’t the only consideration. There are specific regulations on everything from the distance between your balustrades to the screws used to anchor the railing. That’s why I recommend buying railing panels.
What is a fortress railing?
Fortress Building Products offers a lot of high quality, attractive railings in different materials and finishes. Cable railings have a sleek modern look and are usually very complicated to have installed, but Fortress® offers cable railing panels that are simple to purchase and to put in yourself. For a classic look, Fortress’ Fe 26 steel railing come in a finish that mimics wrought iron but is much more durable, with multiple corrosion-resistant treatments like galvanization, a zinc precoat, a moisture-resistant e-coat, and a UV-resistant powder coating.
What is a pre-assembled railing panel?
A pre-assembled railing panel is a great choice if you need to finish off your deck with a safe and code compliant railing, but not all are created equal.
Why did my friend avoid railings?
Installation issues: The main reason that my friend avoided the railing was because the deck was oddly shaped, and he didn’t want to mess with installing a railing along its contours . But if he’d done a bit of research, he would have found complete, easy-install railing kits specifically designed to work with oddly shaped decks.
Why does my deck end up higher than 30 inches?
Land settling: If you’re building over dirt, that dirt could sink. Rain or snow could pool up under the deck, washing away the dirt and essentially lowering the ground. That alone can magically make your deck end up higher than 30 inches.
What is the wrong way to measure deck floor?
Bad measuring: A common mistake for some is to measure from the bottom of the floor, when the measurement should include the thickness of the deck floor. If the wood is thick, this can throw off your measurement by a few inches.
Deck Height & Railings
Note: These codes and regulations are part of the IRC – Section R312.1
Deck Railing Codes & Requirements
Railings keep you and your guests safe during social gatherings or when you’re spending the afternoon on the deck with your family. So it’s understandable that you’d want to make sure your deck’s railings are up to par.
What About Handrails on Stairs?
Similar to the requirements for railings, there’s a separate code for handrails on your deck stairs. It states that any set of stairs with four or more risers must have a continuous graspable handrail on at least one side of the stairs. And the handrail must be installed at a height of between 34 and 38 inches from the nosing of the stair treads.
Conclusion on Railing Requirements
These rules and regulations are in place for a good reason. Railings ensure you and your guests will be safe any time you’re out enjoying your deck. After all, we all know how lively dinner parties can get sometimes.