I’m looking at synthetic/composite deck rail systems.
Everything looks good till I get to the stair rails. They all seem to be set up like the photos I have attatched. I see a code violation because of the space beneath the lower rail. Even if I kept the rail tight to the front edge of the treads, that 4″ sphere is gonna bounce throught the back corner where the tread and riser meet.
Plus, it would mean making the steps more than 12″ wider than normal to acommodate the 6″x6″ sleeves that fit over the posts not to mention attatchment issues concerning where do I attatch the posts on the stringers? A closed stringer will only mean that I have to make the stairs wider yet to acommodate the sleeves and the base trim.
Perhaps I can glean some experience from some of you?
Thanks
Edited 7/26/2007 5:23 pm ET by EricPaulson
Edited 7/26/2007 5:24 pm ET by EricPaulson
Edited 7/26/2007 5:24 pm ET by EricPaulson
Edited 7/26/2007 5:27 pm ET by EricPaulson
Replies
I may be wrong, but IIRC the 4" only applies to the balustrade spacing.
So if you build a deck, you can leave the bottom rail ( that the ballusters connect to) of the railing system up off the deck 8"??
Me thinks not![email protected]
In that triangle between btm rail, tread and riser--the code is 6" sphere must not pass, not 4"...strange, but true.
Strange but true I'd say so.............I don't have a code book. I'd love to hear from someone that does.
I'll have to run it by the inspector. Just one more phone call to make.
I guess my bone is with the fact that the plans were not drawn to consider the railing system desired by the client. Nor was the system specified in the drawings.
duh[email protected]
03 IRC 312.2x197 UBC 509.3x2
Eric...
According to 2003 IRC anyway:
R312.2 "Exceptions 1) The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail of a guard at the open side of a stairway are permitted to be of such a size that a sphere 6 inches (152 mm) cannot pass through".
I seem to recall reading the same thing in the UBC.PaulB
Thanks.........I guess little kids have a fear of triangles ;)[email protected]
6" it is and you are also going to need a continuous, graspable "hand" rail at 32 - 34" high, the "guard" rail on the stairs does not comply.
Handrail shall be no greater than 2.375" wide, too as I recall.
See? 4" is NOT the number..LOL
6 sounds reasonable.
I knew it was other, just couldn't cite it as gospel.
Code allows a 6" sphere in the trangle formed by tread, riser, and bottom of lower rail.
Edit, sorry, redundant info. Gotta read them all first before hitting the Reply button.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Edited 7/26/2007 6:02 pm ET by NickNukeEm
Thanks NN'e.......
and thanks to everyone else as well.[email protected]