I’ve had different answers from different 3rd party inspectors,for residential decks how high off the ground do you need to use 42″ tall handrails?
OK ,I’m im NE Pa ,a little over a year dealing with the so called uniform codes.Its as silly as the old systems and more time waiting,costly and worse inspectors all the time. The project I did was only 4′ ft above ground level ,always flew with 36″ handrails(residential) .this jerk claimed it was off the second floor so I needed 42″.I complied as the customer was decent /understanding too.I think they just wanted it done and him gone. If it was 6-7 or more ft I woulda used 42″.Anyway long story short the uniform code is not uniform.Thanks for all the inputs so far.
Edited 7/17/2006 8:47 pm ET by pauljd99
Replies
straight outta the new issue of FHB (SEP 2006)-
'What the code says about railings'-
'No part of the railing can allow a passage of a 4'' diameter ball'
'Any deck more than 30'' off the ground needs a gaurdrail'
'Residential railings must be at least 36'' high (commercial railings, 42'' high)'
'Railing must withstand 200# of lateral force'
Hope that helps, others who are more in the know will probably come along to set us straight.
Edited 7/16/2006 3:21 pm ET by FLA Mike
It really depends on the local building coded where the railing is located. The intended use of the railing.
You never know until you ask your local code enforcement official. One town may require a 52” hand railing if your are 12” off the ground and a 600lb lateral force ratting and a 3” ball can not go through the blasters
Or it may be some thing real weird like 12’ ft off the ground before you need a 24” high hand rail with blasters spaced so a 12” ball can’t be pushed between them.
In short it is the local jurisdiction that determines the codes. Don’t for get some subdivision have there own cods that may have barring on the codes also.
Edited 7/16/2006 6:02 pm ET by fredsmart
Edited 7/16/2006 6:04 pm ET by fredsmart
Around here, the standard is a 36" handrail for residential, and 42" for commercial. That kicks in when the deck is 36" off the ground, but here is the catch - The insurance agents will want to require it at 18" off the ground. If your deck is 24" off the ground with an othewrwise legal railing, they write a rider foir extra bucks or they deny coverage. One of my subs had this happen on his own house, and his wife called a lot of ins agents to find out they all would do the same
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Will this fly in your area (with code or insurance inspections) I am bolting grippable cedar log handrails onto the house on both sides of the landing.The deck/landing is 25" above grade.
I guess you see a problem with it as I do .
I would pass it inder reluctance simply because my understanding of the codes. You must have a 32 nch wide path and you do but not under the handrail. That is not however written.
However an inspector could use his authority to reject it . I dont like going there and prefer to stay with the book to keep me out of trouble .
Tim
The top step on the approach side is 36" wide (the landing is 4' x 7'6"). The whole stucture is 7' x 13'6".
I don't think the deck/landing qualifies as 25" above grade because it steps down, meaning that there is no direct drop from the floor to the grade below.
I avoided a deck railing at my home along the bulk of my deck by adding a step around the perimeter.
However, if this is considered a stairway.... then you may need handrails for that reason.
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It will have handrails (bolted to the house) on both the main approach side and the opposite side.
yes
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2002 code has the height required for a guardrail at over 30" above floor or grade
contact somebody with your jurisdiction to verify this however (they may have a more stringent requirement)
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Our local code states that for more than 5' above grade, you need a 42" rail for residential construction, with the usual 4" sphere (baby's head) requirement too. And no railing designs which "facilitate climbing"- that means no horizontal design elements above about 6" from deck level, OR a handrail encased inside entirely with solid material (plexiglass etc.). Pretty restrictive from a design perspective.