The code has some very specific requirements for deck stairs: Deck balusters: Balusters are required to be 4 inches apart or less. It pays to keep on top of the building code requirements for decks because the code is continually changing. All proposed decks require approvals of the Zoning Officer and Code Handrails are required for stairs and must meet standards as specified by R311.5.6.3 in the IRC code. Engineered railing systems must be tested to meet IRC and IBC building codes. Well-publicized deck collapses that result in fatalities typically prompt calls for a fresh look at the code. A circular cross section of a handrail must have an outside diameter of between 1-1/4” and 2”. When you have just one railing on a staircase, the inside … Column 4. Code Article/with Amendments Article Section County Resolution/City Ordinance: 2018 IBC (Intl. On decks tall enough to require guardrails, they must still be installed behind the benches, rising to the minimum 36 inches above the decking surface. In commercial applications, this may be done by an independent third-party testing agency with equipment that applies force up to 500 pounds as a safety margin. Now, if you’re dealing with a commercial property or building … Now … Existing Building Code … Concentrated Load Test: The top rail must be capable of holding a point load of 200 lbs of force applied to the mid span, on the side of a post and on top of a post. Column 1. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. U.S. building code requires Where balusters butt up against a lower railing, the gap between the bottom of the railing and the deck surface also must be no more than 4 inches. The code has some very specific requirements for deck stairs: Stair rails on decks should be between Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. They provide the guidelines for local code authorities to follow at their discretion. Note: Not all … All decks higher than 30" above grade must have a guardrail. The handgrips must allow a minimum of 1-1/2” space between the handrail and the guardrail or wall. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Alternative Materials and Methods –R104.11 An alternative material, design or method of construction shall be approved if the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the code… MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR WOOD DECKS - IRC 2009 The following is a list of Code compliance items that are required to be submitted with the construction permit application for plan review processing and approval: 1. 1968 Building Code. Even with very short, low-rise decks, many homeowners still opt to construct guardrails. A variety of styles are allowed as long as the interior sections of the rail don’t possess any openings large enough to pass a 4” diameter sphere through. The IRC requires that guardrails for single-family detached homes be at least 36 inches high, measured from the … In a four-year study, the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that close to 179,000 people were injured on decks and porches, with over 11 percent of those injuries being the result of structural failure or collapse. 2008 Construction Code. Stairs 1 100 mm … For example, your older deck may have toe-nailed connections—wood connections made with nails simply driven through the joints at an angle. The IBC requires As a result, your locality may adapt the IBC to suit the needs of its citizens. Column 3. Stair treads must sustain a weight of at least 300 pounds in an area no more than four inches square. Buildings Bulletins. If so, be advised that toe-nailing is no longer an accepted connection, according to the current International Building Code (IBC). Handrail ends must be returned and terminated at rail posts. As a general rule all decks higher than 30″ above grade are required to have a guardrail. By clicking GO!, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy Policy. Decks attached to single family detached homes are regulated under the rules of the International Residential Code (IRC). Treads must be at least 10 inches deep, measuring from front to back. handrails Serving Ramps. Some decks are not required to have guardrails, provided those decks are no more than 30 inches above grade. The IRC requires guardrails to be at least 36" in height, measured from the deck surface to the top of the rail. Location of Stair or Ramp. Item. The owner of all dwellings shall provide: (A) A safe handrail for every stairway that is used or intended for use by the occupant as required by 780 CMR: Massachusetts State Building Code… It is understood that people will lean against guards, and code requires that these guardrails be strong enough to resist collapsing, even though only minor injuries would result. Support Posts. If you see a deck that has no guardrails (also called a low-rise deck), this might be the reason: Its height is below 30 inches. The IRC requires guardrails to be at least 36" in height measured from the deck surface to the top of the rail. This is a minimum required height for residential structure—higher guards are acceptable. Understanding the code requirements is easier if you fully understand the terminology that is used: Deck guardrails (guards) should rise to at least 36 inches above the residential deck level. Deck railings must meet building codes to pass inspection. In the case of guardrails for stairs, there is an exception that allows up to a 6” diameter sphere through the triangle opening formed by the stair riser, stairtread and bottom rail. Disabled people, too, can benefit from having guardrails on low-rise decks. Section 410.503 - Protective Railings and Walls. Column 6. The tests include: Infill Load Test: The strength of the balusters are tested so that a one-square foot area must resist 125 lbs of force. 2016 NYC Energy Conservation Code. Railings for this type of system, namely Series 500 Pipe Railing, are built with the proper number of horizontal lines to meet the requirements outlined 6. Because small children may be tempted to stick their heads between balusters and could get their heads lodged in place, the 4-inch rule is designed to prevent this from happening. Decks 24 "to 5-10" (180 cm) need 36 "guards … It is necessary to check the local building code … However, building code can be hard to navigate. STAIR WIDTH. Stair rails on decks should be between 34 inches and 38 inches high, measured vertically from the nose of the tread to the top of the rail. The guardrails must be strong enough to withstand a concentrated 200 lb force anywhere along the top of the rail. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Minimum Strength for Guardrails and Balusters, Check Your Deck for These 7 Repair Issues, 10 Things to Consider When Building a Deck, Tips for Sanding a Wood Deck Before Refinishing. Uniform Load Test: The top rail must be able to sustain 125 lbs of force applied horizontally or vertically. https://plasticinehouse.com/deck-railing-height-code-requirements The code for deck railing height is actually 36 inches from deck floor to the top of the railing. Strength of guardrails and balusters is usually simply estimated by a building inspector who will lean or push against the components. Local Laws. Deck Railing Code The International Residential Code (IRC), adopted by most US cities and towns, requires Be sure to speak to your local permitting office and consult your applicable code before building. Older decks using older construction methods may be grandfathered in, but new requirements are mandated whenever you build a new deck or remodel or repair an older deck. Electrical Code. Column 2. This includes any sort of top piece. The minimum width for stairways shall not be less than 36 inches clear. The sweep space between the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4". If you do decide to include a guardrail on a low deck, its height and the spacing of the balusters is up to you. The building codes of North Carolina adopt the the North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies 2018, International Building Code 2015 (IBC 2015), International Energy Conservation Code 2015 (IECC 2015), International Existing Building Code 2015 (IEBC 2015), International Fire Code 2015 (IFC 2015), International Fuel Gas Code 2015 (IFGC 2015), International Mechanical Code … When built to code, cable railing is a very safe option for railing. Given that a deck railing’s purpose is to prevent people from falling off of it, it’s critical to have proper deck railing post spacing to ensure your deck is safe. Column 5. The minimum height of the railing varies based on the height of the deck. IBC 1607.8.1: Guards shall be designed … Rules. North Carolina building codes for deck railings are the same as any other state's. The 2018 Connecticut State Building Code is based on the International Code Council’s widely-adopted 2015 International Codes and references the ICC A117.1-2009 standard for … Commercial deck guardrails, such as those found at restaurants, bars, and at multifamily homes such as apartments or condos, are required to be 42 inches high, minimum. However, these guardrails still must be as strong as those on higher decks. The reasoning is that this 4-inch space is the average diameter of a baby's head. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. A variety of gripping surfaces may be acceptable but must meet requirements for the gripping surface. These tests are performed by an accredited third-party testing agency. If a property owner or contractor elects to install railings on any deck lower than 30″, … One classic rule of thumb: a 4-inch diameter ball should barely be able to fit between the balusters. Baluster strength requirements: Balusters and in-fill rails must sustain a minimum testing force of 125 pounds over a 1-square-foot area. 2 Resolution 139-2019. Flat 2x4 and 2x6 handrails are not acceptable. The codes are based on the … 1938 Building Code. handrails Serving Stairs. The rise, or the vertical distance from one tread to the next, can be no more than 7 1/4 inches high. Massachusetts State Building Code - 780 CMR An unofficial copy of all versions of the Mass. If you choose to install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30", you must still meet code requirements. Given that even short-distance falls may lead to chronic pain, serious injury, and even death for elderly people, adding hand railing to a low-rise deck is often a very good idea. The following general OSHA requirements apply to all stairways and stair rails: Stairways with four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height- whichever is less- must be … The International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC) provides the staircase railings codes and guidelines in the United States. In either case, you are allowed to build taller guardrails as long as they conform to all other requirements stated in the code. By contrast, deck code is truly a matter of life and death and preventing serious injury. MORE BUILDING code topics Guards are required when then deck is 24 " (60 cm) above grade. This includes any sort of top piece. Building Code Article with Amendments UBTC, Article 2, Sec. Deck rails are required for decks more than 30 inches above the ground. Code Notes. (a) Stairways shall have handrails or stair railings on each side, and every stairway required to be more than 88 inches in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate stair railing … Decks higher than 30 inches above grade must have a guardrail. Commercial decks attached to multi-family buildings, such as apartment buildings or businesses, are regulated under the International Building Code (IBC). As a model code, the IBC is developed by the International Code Council for states, cities, and other local groups to both adopt and adapt for their use. Minimum railing distance means the walking space between a handrail on one wall and an adjacent wall that has no handrail. Terms of use. The IBC requires 42" high guardrails. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. The top edge of the handrail must be placed between 34” and 38” above the nosing of the stair treads. Many code requirements, while important, rarely touch upon life and death matters. The structural integrity of the railing depends heavily on the … The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. A safety factor of 2.5 is usually added to the testing. Commercial decks attached to multifamily buildings, such as apartment buildings or … The IRC requires guardrails to be at least 36" in height, measured from the deck surface to the top of the rail. Unfortunately, benches are not an acceptable alternative. Commercial decks attached to multi-family buildings, such as apartment buildings or businesses, are regulated under the International Building Code (IBC). To achieve this, you should space rail posts no greater than 6" apart. Deck benches: Homeowners concerned about preserving the view from their decks may wonder if benches are acceptable substitutes for deck guardrails. While a 12-inch drop will rarely prove to be fatal to a healthy adult or child or result in serious injury, it still can twist an ankle or injure a lower back. Guardrail strength requirements: The International Building Code mandates that guardrails must be able to sustain a 200-pound force at the mid-span between posts, without excessive deflective. 2018 IEBC (Intl. Stairs 1 100 mm Wide. State Building Code The Massachusetts State Building Code consists of a series of international model codes and any state-specific amendments adopted by the Board of Building … Building code requirements for exterior decking railings and stairways are especially stringent because decks fall into the category of critical health and safety matters. Ordinance 51-069. Is necessary to check the local building code topics Guards are acceptable substitutes for deck stairs: deck balusters balusters... This, you are allowed to build taller guardrails as long as they conform to all other requirements in. One classic rule of thumb: a 4-inch diameter ball should barely be able to fit between the surface! 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