Outside Deck Railing Height
This is a minimum required height for residential structure higher guards are acceptable.
Outside deck railing height. Commercial railings necessitate a higher railing at 42 inches as regulated by the ibc. Railings for residential decks require a height of 3 feet from the floor of the deck to the rail top surface as mandated by the irc. A railing is only necessary if the deck is 30 or more off the ground and 24 in certain jurisdictions. Looking at the picture you provided i think the glass railings fit in the codes.
The minimum height of the railing varies based on the height of the deck. Flat 2x4 and 2x6 handrails are not acceptable. The problem is that the building code porch rail height must be at least 36 to 42 inches. A circular cross section of a handrail must have an outside diameter of between 1 1 4 and 2.
This deck railing height code also applies to commercial decks and balconies such as restaurants bars and museums as well as multi family homes condos and any deck on a third story or higher. Learn more about the basics of deck railing code compliance and installation in the deck railing guide and glossary of deck terms and lingo. In addition to a railing s height the space between the wall and the railing known as the railing s clearance is also important. Decks 24 to 5 10 180 cm need 36 guards and anything above 5 10 requires a 42 high railing.
Looking at the picture you provided i think the glass railings fit in the codes. Canada residential rail height and dimensions. Ken w 10 21 2016 7 51 05 am reply. The handrail itself should be easy to grip with a minimum diameter of 1 1 4.
Ken w 10 21 2016 7 50 54 am reply. Building codes and ada regulations require a minimum clearance of 1 5 inches when railings are attached to a wall rather than vertical posts that are part of the stairway. Engineered railing systems must be tested to meet irc and ibc building codes. 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.
In canada the maximum height from the ground is 24 inches. Deck guardrail height. Well that may not sound high to you but in almost all cases that is entirely too high. Deck railing height is a minimum of 36 in some states such as california the minimum height is 42.
Deck railing height requirements. The same height rules apply to stairs and the inspector measures the handrail height from nose of the stair tread. Guards are required when then deck is 24 60 cm above grade. There is no maximum height.