Standard Deck Stair Railing Height

The sweep space between the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4.

Standard deck stair railing height.

Deck railing height should be a minimum of 36 for any platform elevated to 30 and more from the surface. The top edge of the handrail must be placed between 34 and 38 above the nosing of the stair treads. By contrast stair guards run horizontally along a flat area with a drop on the other side. This refers to the tops edges of the handrail and not the lower edge.

For stair rail systems installed on or after january 17 2017 the top rail and handrail must be separate. Stair railing and stair guards though they may sound like the same thing are different. Deck guardrails guards should rise to at least 36 inches above the residential deck level. Guards are required when then deck is 24 60 cm above grade.

Stair railing runs on the stair incline up and down. The irc requires guardrails to be at least 36 in height measured from the deck surface to the top of the rail. Minimum stair railing height has to be 34 from the top rail to the nosing. The same height rules apply to stairs and the inspector measures the handrail height from nose of the stair tread.

This is a minimum required height for residential structure higher guards are acceptable. If you choose to install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30 you must still meet code requirements. If your current stair railing was installed prior to that date you will probably or should have a hand railing of between 36 and 37 inches from highest surface of the stair treads. Canada residential rail height and dimensions.

The top rail must be at least 42 inches in height 1910 29 f 1 ii b and the handrail must be 30 to 38 inches in height 1910 29 f 1 i as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the rail. Decks 24 to 5 10 180 cm need 36 guards and anything above 5 10 requires a 42 high railing. It also requires that all railings maintain a consistent height above stair nosings and be free from sharp points or surfaces that prevent proper use. The ada states that exterior stair railings must fall within the standard 34 inch to 38 inch range.

Deck guardrail height. Commercial deck guardrails such as those found at restaurants bars and at multifamily homes such as apartments or condos are required to be 42 inches high minimum. Decks attached to single family detached homes are regulated under the rules of the international residential code irc. One word on terminology.

The same gap is allowed between the decorative elements of the deck railing. The handrail itself should be easy to grip with a minimum diameter of 1 1 4.