Re-doing my deck railing and want to lower it- what is the best Ht. and what does the building code say. Thanks- (Visitor from Cookstalk) Rich
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Here in NJ it is 36" min. hight and no spaces larger than 4 " .
Here in MI code says 36" tall, no more than 4" space, and must w/stand a 200# force in any direction.
It's 36" here too but you need to hear from someone in your home state. Each state has a different building code, some states even have significant differences from county to county, city to city, or whatever. Someone from NH who knows his stuff can tell you how the codes work there.
I think a few states even require 42"... Here on commercial it's 42".
36" but you also want to check with your insurance company
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It also depends on whether it's a first or second floor deck.
Gotta ask your local code official to get the right answer.
BUT,,,,, Builderdude did hit on one thing. Most places require the ability to withstand a 200# impact in any direction.
I redid the rails on an entire development in Roseland N.J. because someone missed that fact at design time. 200 units.
So how do they test for the impact strength?
Throw a 200# B.I. against it?
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
I like the way you think.
There is an alternate testing device as well.
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200# OSHA Inspector.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Not sure to be honest.
I didn't do the original rail and didn't get to see it fail. Just got to fix it.
I'm sure since it was New Jersey that the testing method was rather arbitrary.
"withstand a 200# impact"I think it is 200# force, not impact. A 200# mass impacting something under velocity impacts greater force that direct application.
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Well then, throw a 160 lb. BI at it. I think 8 mph is enough velocity but go for 20 mph just to be sure. --------------------------------------------------------
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I believe you're right. My bad. Maybe it was just my desire for the 200# BI to impact the railing head first.
Although, I did make a ton of money on that job.
Also matters how high off grade you are. Here if it's less than 36" you don't need one at all.
30" off grade here.
Often, when the porch walking surface is low, say 24" or less. and railings are just for decoration, I have 'em build the railings 32" total height. I think it looks better and it blocks the view out of the windows less. 42" high railings, especially on a small porch, looks like a cage.