Building and Construction - Deck Railing Height

Author

Deck Railing Height

Steve

2007-06-03, 8:25 pm

Does anyone know the building code height requirement for outdoor deck
railings, in New Hampshire and/or Massachusetts? I'm about to buy the
lumber, and it might make a difference in what lengths I buy.

Thanks.

- - Steve

tbasc@bellsouth.net

2007-06-03, 8:25 pm

On Jun 3, 7:48 pm, "Steve" <sja.sja...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Does anyone know the building code height requirement for outdoor deck
> railings, in New Hampshire and/or Massachusetts? I'm about to buy the
> lumber, and it might make a difference in what lengths I buy.
>
> Thanks.
>
> - - Steve

If your local code is IRC (International Residential Code), distance
from deck surface to level below makes a difference.
More than 30 inches difference requires a 36 inch high 'guard'.
Openings in this 'guard' should be small enough to keep a 4" sphere
from passing through.
T

Bobk207

2007-06-06, 3:25 am

On Jun 3, 5:45 pm, "t...@bellsouth.net" <AAllc.archite...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> On Jun 3, 7:48 pm, "Steve" <sja.sja...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> If your local code is IRC (International Residential Code), distance
> from deck surface to level below makes a difference.
> More than 30 inches difference requires a 36 inch high 'guard'.
> Openings in this 'guard' should be small enough to keep a 4" sphere
> from passing through.
> T

While we're talking about railing height.....

IMO the range of 34" / 38" (the railing heights called out by most
local codes) seems a little low since the 95% male center of mass is
right about 41" / 42".

I was visiting a friend over the weekend and her house a cantilevered
"back yard" deck.........about 25' down to the first terrace below the
deck, followed by a drop of another 50' or so to "ground".

I sure felt better leaning against a railing that caught me at ~ belly
button level (my approximate cg) & not at the "code" 36 inch
height.

cheers
Bob

Chuck

2007-06-06, 3:25 am

"Bobk207" <rkazanjy@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1181098337.654207.146450@i38g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> On Jun 3, 5:45 pm, "t...@bellsouth.net" <AAllc.archite...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> While we're talking about railing height.....
>
> IMO the range of 34" / 38" (the railing heights called out by most
> local codes) seems a little low since the 95% male center of mass is
> right about 41" / 42".
>
> I was visiting a friend over the weekend and her house a cantilevered
> "back yard" deck.........about 25' down to the first terrace below the
> deck, followed by a drop of another 50' or so to "ground".
>
> I sure felt better leaning against a railing that caught me at ~ belly
> button level (my approximate cg) & not at the "code" 36 inch
> height.

>
> cheers
> Bob

The former US UBC code and present IBC code calls for guard rails to be 42
inches high. This is required for vertical distances from 30 inches to
finish grade or higher. Stair railing between 30 / 36 inches.
the 4 inch sphere required is the same. loading for railings are 50 psf in
any direction and 200 lb concentrated loading. Stair posts spacing not
greater than 8 feet.

CID...

Bobk207

2007-06-06, 9:25 am

On Jun 6, 12:38 am, "Chuck" <ci.dinsm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> "Bobk207" <rkaza...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1181098337.654207.146450@i38g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The former US UBC code and present IBC code calls for guard rails to be 42
> inches high. This is required for vertical distances from 30 inches to
> finish grade or higher. Stair railing between 30 / 36 inches.
> the 4 inch sphere required is the same. loading for railings are 50 psf in
> any direction and 200 lb concentrated loading. Stair posts spacing not
> greater than 8 feet.
>
> CID...

Chuck-

I feel a lot better about the 42" number but I still see the 36" / 38"
mentioned for railing heights.

My former boss was re-building a deck railing (about 9' down to a
driveway) at his home near Lake Tahoe & the local code folks wanted
the railing at 36". ?

Is the 36" number a residential thing where former UBC & IBC are
commerical?

I'm confused because I see a lot of railings way below the 42" number.
cheers
Bob

Bob Morrison

2007-06-06, 1:25 pm

In a previous post Bobk207 wrote...
> Is the 36" number a residential thing where former UBC & IBC are
> commerical?
>
> I'm confused because I see a lot of railings way below the 42" number.
>

Bob:

The IRC calls for 36" railing and IBC calls for 42" railing. Like you, I
much prefer the 42" railing height.

--
Bob Morrison, PE, SE
R L Morrison Engineering Co
Structural & Civil Engineering
Poulsbo WA
bob at rlmorrisonengr dot com

wiggins.martin@gmail.com

2007-06-15, 5:25 pm

The IBC requires 42" guardrails but allows several exceptions,
including guardrails in Group R, Division 3 dwellings, which are
essentially one and two-family dwelling units no more than three
floors in height, where 36" is allowed.

I prefer 42"...perfect height to rest a beer when not drinking it.

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