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Photo of a residential deck construction(C) Daniel Friedman Porch & Deck Railing / Guardrail Code FAQs

Q&A on guardrail construction best practices

FAQs about the Best Practices for Building Guardrails on Decks & Porches:

This article series describes recommended construction practices for deck safety, deck railing requirements, guard railing construction and building codes, and critical safe-construction details for deck and porch rails, guardrails, and exterior stair guard railings and handrails.

Page top photo: a deck constructed by the author in Poughkeepsie, New York.

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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

FAQs about Building Safe, Legal Deck, Porch Railings

These questions and answers about deck railings or guardrails were posted originally

at DECK & PORCH GUARDRAILINGS - be sure to see that article.

What's the proper spindle spacing for a deck railing

Dangerous deck (C) Daniel FriedmanWhat are the distances between each spindle? - 2019-01-06 by Aaron Britt-

How far apart can the spindles be on a railing for an outside deck - 2018-07-27 by Anonymous

How much space is required between verticals, between each other on handrail? - Dave G On 2017-10-05

Reply by (mod) - 4 inches between vertical balusters or spindles or pickets

Allow a maximum of 4" of open space between the facing edgers of successive balusters.

Building codes usually allow a maximum gap of 4 inches between balusters.

A code might say that a 4-inch diameter sphere should not be able to pass between the vertical balusters.

Baluster spacings (typically 4") are given in detail at

On 2016-12-19 by Steve Mccoy - ok to extend a handrail with 6" baluster spacing?

Can I add on to existing iron porch hand rail with 6"between the posts instead of 4"?

On 2016-12-20 by (mod) -

Steve I don't quite understand the question. But if you're asking about acceptable spacing between the vertical balusters, where 4" is a common standard, check with your building department about what they'll accept


On 2018-08-28 by Duane Ellis - Residential deck handrail picket spacing requirements in Georgia

What was the Residential deck handrail picket spacing requirements in Georgia in 1992?

On 2018-08-28 by (mod) -

GUARDRAILS on BALCONIES, DECKS, LANDINGS https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Guardrailing_Codes.php should help you out. States generally adopt the model building codes, though often at a later date.

Fulton County GA offers a currently-adopted codes list at http://www.fultoncountyga.gov/fcpcsd-permits-a-plan-review/inspection-information-ecd/2913-inspection-codes-adopted-for-georgia

You'll need to research backwards to which model codes the state and your local community had adopted that would have applied in 1992.

On 2018-05-31 by Martin Alper - what about baluster-supported railings with no posts at all?

You post a photo of a deck where the rail is supported by the balusters only. No Posts. Do the codes allow this?

Then why all the time spent on post, especially 6 foot spacing versus 0 feet for balister supported rails.

On 2018-06-01 by (mod) -

Martin:

My opinion the model codes certainly do permit some guardrails to be built without posts - depending on the type and design. The model codes specify the strength of the railing or guardrail that's required not the details of How It's to be constructed.

Your guardrail needs to be able to withstand certain loads.

My opinion the model codes certainly do permit some guardrails to be built without posts - depending on the type and design. The model codes specify the strength of the railing or guardrail that's required not the details of How It's to be constructed.

Your guardrail needs to be able to withstand certain loads.

Reasons for using posts (or not) when installing a guardrail are detailed at GUARDRAIL POST CODES & SPECS - please take a look and let me know if questions remain.

Reasons for using posts (or not) when installing a guardrail are detailed at GUARDRAIL POST CODES & SPECS - https://inspectapedia.com/decks/Guardrail-Post-Codes.php please take a look and let me know if questions remain.

 

 

On 2018-04-11 by Steve - There are no handrails on either side of the steps. The seller’s agent says that it wasn’t a code requirement

Deck guardrail posts under construction (C) Daniel Friedman Paul GalowMy daughter is buying a home where you have to climb five steps to reach the front porch.

There are no handrails on either side of the steps. The seller’s agent says that it wasn’t a code requirement in Fulton County, Georgia when the home was first built and purchased in 2001.

Seems like it would have been required. Anyone know where I can find this out.

On 2018-04-11 by (mod) - unsfe is unsafe: fix it, code or not

Steve

In my OPINION the seller's agent does not have your daughter's safety in mind and is simply trying to speed and simplify the sale and perhaps to maximize his or her commission.

It doesn't matter if the steps are "grandfathered" in without a railing. If someone falls off they'll be just as hurt, grandfather or not. It's a valid safety concern.

The cost of curing this is not a show-stopper expense, it's a safety hazard.

In my OPINION the absence of a hand railing would not be a reason to stop the purchase of a home I wanted (which is why I hold the naysayer realtor in low esteem). The cost-to-cure is a tiny fraction of a percent of the value of the home. If the seller doesn't want to spring for that safety correction the buyer should do so.

If for other reasons your daughter goes ahead with the purchase, just as I'd have advised the seller and listing broker I warn that a stairway without guards and handrails is a trip and fall hazard.

Hazards might be even greater when many strangers are visiting the property: prospective buyers, realtors, appraisers, movers, repair people called in to tune up the home for its new owners.

So I'd like to see a handrail installed promptly, and I'd expect your daughter to warn her movers to take extra care on the railingless stair if she's moving in before that's done.


On 2018-01-09 by Mike Tree - how deep to my posts go into the ground?

Contact me at mikestreeandlandscaping@gmail.com

How deep must post be put ingriund, when installing a patio deck.

On 2018-01-09 by (mod) - 3 ft or below the frost line is pretty standard.

Mike

3 ft or below the frost line is pretty standard. But I recommend using masonry piers and keeping the actual wooden post above ground for a longer post life.


On 2017-09-26 1 by bert

Also what is the min height that no steps or porch rail is required ?

if a contractor builds a deck does he have to fram and enclose the porch with lattice?

On 2017-09-26 by (mod) - lattice enclosures of space below the deck - for safety?

Bert:

In SOME jurisdictions the local building department might have a safety reason to keep kids from wandering under a deck so might want the lattice enclosure, but that's not something I've found in building codes.

The maximum height above ground that a typical inspector permits a deck or steps without a guardrail is 30" but that too will vary depending on local regulations where you live. In my opinion we should always have guardrails even if a deck is just a few inches or a foot above ground, since I have seen people chatting away at a deck party followed by taking a step backwards, falling off of a low deck and suffering an injury.


On 2017-08-04 by David Pickens - Calhoun SC requirement for height of guards on balconies

How high does the railing need to be on a second story balcony in SC?

On 2017-08-04 by (mod)

David,

Using Calhoun SC as an example

R312 Guards:

Required on porches, screened porches, balconies or raised floor surfaces more than 30 inches above the floor or grade (grade is
measured from the lowest point 6’ out) must be 36 “ high [along open stairs] and 4 “ sphere openings -

Watch out: I've read that for Balconies in South Carolina you need to be at 42" - which I recommend anyway as safer. I'm looking for the specific citation.

SC has adopted the 2015 IBC with South Carolina Modifications - http://www.tompsc.com/152/Building-Code

The final legal authority is your LOCAL building inspector, so I'd give them a call.


On 2017-07-17 by Doris Bachmann - safe height for a planter on a deck insted of a railing

What is an acceptable safe height for a planter on a deck instead of a railing?

Will 24" to 28 " suffice if the planter is 16-18" wide

email:doris@dabinteriordesign.com

On 2017-07-18 by (mod) - No, The needed guardrail isn't reduced by a planter.

Not in my view. The needed guardrail isn't reduced by a planter.

Someone could easily trip or fall backwards over the planter


On 2017-06-14 y Steve B

I was just told by a Va inspector I need a guard rail for deck less than 30" I'm thinking a guardrail is a few 4x4s bolted to deck and 2x4s attached across middle and top. I am not going overboard because I had a building inspector sign off on the height

On 2017-06-14 by (mod) -

Steve,

Actually the requirements for guardrail vary depending on the jurisdiction that is where you live. It is also the case that you are a local Building Code Compliance inspector is the final legal Authority. However being deemed legal does not mean that a falling Hazard or injury risk are not present.



On 2016-09-15 y ConnieJohns - Currently, we have steel railings and was told that wood is code

We are upgrading our front steps and have to replace E erything. Currently, we have steel railings and was told that wood is code now. Can we combine both materials?

On 2016-09-15 by (mod)

Connie

While your local code inspector is by law the final authority, I'm stunned by your note.

I would not expect to find any building code stating that steel handrails or guardrails are not permitted and that only wood guards and rails are permitted. That sounds more to me like arm-waving by someone who just wants to work with familiar materials.

Anonymous:
Guardrail width, meaning thickness? It's not specified unless part of the railing is serving as a handrail. Then handrail graspability rules apply.

Porch:
Shrubs may cushion the fall but they're not a substitute for a guardrail. The requirement for guardrails or handrails does vary by height above ground; at 2 ft. your local code inspector MIGHT not require railings. Ask your local inspector; let us know what you're told and where you live.

Barbara: What sort of fencing? Barbed wire? No. Other fencing that meets the strength, spacing, height specifications can be used. I'd avoid horizontal fencing as it's climbable and may not be accepted by your local officials.



On 2016-04-12 by jim burroughs - how many stair risers are allowed before a handrail is required?

exterior stair how few risers before handrail required mi. code

On 2016-04-13 by (mod) -

Jim:

Typically most jurisdictions require a handrail at 3 risers or base the requirement on height above grade.

However depending on riser height (and so number of steps may vary) and on who is using the stairs, a handrail may be recommended even for a single step. For a stairway used by the elderly or people who have trouble climbing stairs, a handrail is suggested for even one step.



On 2015-12-10 by JEFF - balcony railing is wiggly

Balcony railing wiggles a little bit. We would like to reinforce it where it is next to the wall. Do we need a permit in Hayward Ca?

How do we find a stud location under stucco.

I have a stud finder but I don't think it will work well on stucco. If we find the stud in the wall we can just bolt the railing upright to the stud in the wall?

On 2015-12-10 by (mod) -

Jeff,

Without knowing anything about your building nor deck I can't suggest an exact repair.

In general one does not need a building permit simply to repair a loose railing connection. Your rsil, to be safe, indeed must meet the loading requirements discussed in these articles.

And yes connecting a rail through siding to building framing is ideal. We don't know what's under your stucco nor stucco thickness. Structural fasteners need to be long enough to pass 1.5" or more into a stud.

A stud finder should work if the stucco is not on metal lath.


Question:

(May 9, 2015) Kate Hauserman said:

The question you have answered at DECK & PORCH GUARDRAILINGS about the seating vs. a guard rail doesn't appear to answer the question posted in the sketch.

The question as I understand it, if there is a landscaped area adjacent to the retaining wall, can the guard rail be eliminated? You post a picture of dense planting alleviating the need for a guard rail-does the planting area have to be a specific width?

Reply:

Kate

As as you are asking about guardrailings at retaining walls you'll want to see the specifics about codes, standards, accidents and some suggestions found at

RETAINING WALL GUARD RAILINGS - see inspectapedia.com/exterior/Retaining_Wall_Guardrails.php

and don't hesitate to ask if questions remain.

Thanks

Question: maximum height of a deck before rails are required

(June 8, 2015) Anonymous said:
what is the max. height of a deck before rails are required?

Reply:

The maximum deck height before a railing is required varies by jurisdiction, typically 24-30" from ground level; some jurisdictions state the height as three step risers or more.

Keep in mind however that someone can be injured falling off a deck that's only a few inches high.

See the article series beginning at GUARDRAIL CONSTRUCTION, DECKS & RAMPS for railing height and other specifications.

 

On 2015-04-15 by RICHARD

IS THERE A SPECIFIC PROFILE AT THE TOP OF A GUARDRAIL?

On 2015-04-15 by (mod) -

No, not that I have found, that is not along horizontal walking surfaces as long as the guardrail meets the strength and height requirements. Unlike a handrailing, a guardrail is to block a fall rather than to provide a graspable handhold to stop or save a fall.


On 2015-01-22 by Steve - Guardrails for docks or piers over water?

I don't see anything about a guardrail on a dock or pier over water residential ?

On 2015-01-23 by (mod) -

Steve I have not found a specific residential nor commercial model building code for railings around docks over water;

it seems to me that for areas where railings are not deliberately left off to permit access to a water vehicle (boats, canoes, yachts, dredges, barges etc), one would reasonably apply model codes pertaining to decks and balconies.



On 2014-07-05 by Sam - minimum roof height over a deck or porch

Is there a legal height your roof that is above you deck/porch can be in Oregon

On 2014-07-06 by (mod) -

Sam,
Generally building codes and model codes define a minimum head room allowable for a space to be considered habitable. A typical figure is 7 ft. Give your local building department a call.


...

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