Hey Jer,
I just assembled a porch railing for my house at the shore, and I hate it. Looks way to tall. Do you happen to know what the code requires? I was told I would need a railing if the floor was greater than 24 inches above the level of my neighbors lot. I’ve read it to be 30″ above my own grade in the code book at HD, IIRC I think was the code group they quoted.
My porch posts are about 7 feet, 36″ looks like a cage.
Thanks
Kevin
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Replies
36"
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That what I figured, built the first section for that install height and it looks really big. I was going to use cedar, but would rather go with the cheaper HD stuff and take it down when the kids have grown. Did you see the part about 24" from neighbors grade? Can that be right?
I suspect that the 24 inches is the height of the deck above the ground. Around here, a railing is required if the deck-to-ground distance is >18".
If the railing is required, it must be 36" from the deck to the top rail with spindles spaced at 4" or less.
"I suspect that the 24 inches is the height of the deck above the ground."
I get that, the problem I have is it is measured form the height above adjoining property. What if I had a house on a much bigger lot, say several acres. What sense does it make to get deck height above neighbors land?
Never heard of the adjacent lot either.
Here's something that solves the line of site problem sort of.
Rails and ballusters at about 30/31, then add another rail above with the "no more than" 4'' space between. Now when you slouch in your chair, you can have horizontal viewability.
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Thats exactly what I did when I built my deck at my primary home. Got to admit I didn't think of it for the beach house. And I was building the rails on same deck to haul down later, preassembled. DUH. Mind is not as sharp as it used to be.
Makes no sense to measure from anyplace other than right at the edge of the edeck! The purpose is safety. How are you going to fall off the deck onto your neighbor's land?
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My point exactly. These BI's have been alot of help with my project but a PIA some of the time as well. You may recall my post about having to move the house. House was 4.7' in the back corner from the neighbors. .7' is approximately 8 1/2", and code requires 5' minimum. I had to move it to comply with code. Needed 3 1/2 ", I moved it 6" just to be safe.
They made you move an exist house?
I got 6 variances in Mansq last summer for a house on a "non-conforming" 25' wide lot. We rebuilt with exist 3.2' on each side instead of reqd 5', but moved the new house back to the 25' front setback. The front yard was more important to the planning board.
Varies by town, but I would have hired a lawyer, and gone for a variance on that one.
PS. Most Joisey shore towns are now using the IRC 2006 because it incorporates all of the new FEMA flood hazard requirements put in place since Katrina. They actually require a "flood hazard certificate" to get your CO. Have you had any discussions about "flood vents" yet?
PS. According to IRC 2006, Section 312.1 ....if walking surface >30" from grade or floor below, then rails have to be 36" min height, and 4" max spacing.
Edited 3/30/2008 12:03 am ET by pickings
Edited 3/30/2008 12:31 am ET by pickings
the 30" thing I saw as well, the BI told me 24". Given that my daughter is 2, I'll put up a railing now and possibly remove in a few years, if I have the energy:).
Moving the house was easy, the house was going up anway, no extra charge to move it. Why spend money on lawyers and delay the whole process.
Maybe the deck butts up to the property line?? - lol
Every height restriction that I know of is based on the height at the edge of the deck.
That one about height above grade varies all over the place. There are places where there is no code but insurance companies require a certain standard. One of my subs built his own house and the local code there says he only needs a rail of he is 30" or higher,so he built the deck 18" off the ground, then his insurance agent told him they would exclude that unless he either paid for an expensive rider, or build a railing.
IO have heard of places requiring the minimum anything from 24" to 36" before needing the rail.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I was always told (well, on at least one occasion, anyway ) that the top of your railing should be just below the bottom of your zipper.
Doc - The Old Cynic
36" and I think it's now a 4" max opening between spindles of any kind. Used to be 6" in Jersey.
You might check with the local township to see if there's any kind of variance on certain heights off the ground. I don't think there is but you can try.
Where on the shore?
Surf City, LBI.
Haven't you been listening:)
"Haven't you been listening:)"What? I didn't hear you.
just busting your chops, all in fun. that's why I put the smiley face at the end.
Bustin' my chops? You can't do that in here. This is a serious forum. I think I better notify the higher ups...
That's exactlywhat I need, someone else in a position of authority pulling my strings:)
You need to get with someone who knows the residential code for your geographic location - preferably someone from your local building inspections department - unless you want to buy the book. I can quote code all day for where I live but that is of little use to you. A Google search turned up this: http://www.bcap-energy.org/node/84 regarding what code is used in NJ. I see you addressed the posting to jer but it looks like he is in another state and a few hours away...
BTW - here, guard rails (the correct name) are required if the porch walking surface is >30" above grade and the railings have to be 36" tall. That stuff about the adjoining property sounds way wacky but who knows.... might have something to do with obstructing the adjoining property's view - since at the ocean it's all about the view... I'd be pretty surprised though.
Historic homes often have railings around 28". OTOH, some states require 42" railings - now that would look like a playpen....
I think you are right about the height of the porch posts effecting the look of the railing height.
Hey Matt,
I actually did a search prior to the thread and saw a post from you from, i think 2006, about guard rails and historic homes. I agree the local powers that be have final say. I will check on Monday about the code they use.
Thanks.
Here (VA) we have built bench ( with no back rest ) around the perimeter of the deck because HO didnt want railings obstructing view. Didn't check it myself but apparently code and the BI accepted that you couldn't just walk off the deck with a bench in the way, so... Boss said he had also built bench at ground level around deck to accomplish same thing apparently a loophole. Just have to find a legal way to cheat :)