Table of Contents
1. Height Requirements Chart IRC OSHA Residential Stair Rail System Handrail Height 34″ to 38″ 36″ to 38″ may also serve as Guard Railing Height 36″ min 36″ to 38″.
How tall are stair railings?
Handrail height on the stairs should be no less than 34 inches and no greater than 38 inches. The way this is measured is to begin at the leading edge of the stair nosing and run an imaginary vertical line upward until it reaches the top of the railing.
What is the best height for deck railing?
Deck stair railing should measure at least 34 inches high. The IRC specifies that deck stair railing should measure between 34 and 38 inches high, so homeowners may wish to use railing that is even higher than 34 inches for their deck stairs.
How tall are rails on a deck?
Stair rails on decks should be between 34 inches and 38 inches high, measured vertically from the nose of the tread to the top of the rail. Treads must be at least 10 inches deep, measuring from front to back.
How tall should a banister be?
Does My Stair Railing Have to be a Specific Height? IRC OSHA Residential General Handrail Height 34″ to 38″ 30″ to 38″ Guard Height 36″ minimum 42″ — plus or minus 3″.
Do I need a handrail for 3 steps?
A: Editorial Adviser Mike Guertin replies: Since your stairs will have only three risers, you don’t need to install a handrail. That said, it’s important to count the number of risers accurately.
How far apart should balusters be?
Balusters are the vertical guards that support the handrail. They must be installed close enough that the space between them is less than 4 inches. Most city inspectors carry a 4-inch ball with them to test the spacing.
Does a deck need a railing?
If your deck is below 30 inches, a railing is not required. With that said, if you choose to build a deck, even if it is only 24 inches off the ground, that is still high enough that even an adult could injure themselves.
How do you measure a deck railing?
Measure the distance between the corner posts of your deck with a measuring tape. If you plan to install railings on multiple sides of the deck, measure the length of each section you wish to rail.
Is it illegal not to have a handrail on stairs?
Handrails. One of the main concerns of building regulations on stairs is the health and safety of those dwelling in a property. Handrails are mandatory. Stairs should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than one metre wide, and on both sides if wider than this.
What is handrail height code?
(6) The height of handrails shall be not less than 34 inches nor more than 38 inches from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.
How many risers before you need a handrail?
Building Codes The building code does not refer to the number of “steps” but it does require a handrail when there are two or more “risers”. For clarification, a “riser” is the vertical portion of a stair. The “tread” is the top of a step. A two riser minimum would translate to two steps.
Are balusters and spindles the same thing?
A baluster and spindle is actually almost the same thing, but the word spindle is more commonly used because it is easier to remember and say. Balusters usually rest on a footing; this could be a step, floor or deck, whereas, spindles are supported by a horizontal rail at the bottom that is attached to the posts.
What is the distance between stair spindles?
The building regulations state that a 100mm sphere cannot pass through any opening and this includes between spindles. So your maximum space between spindles is 99mm.
What is the minimum distance between stair spindles?
For landing spaces, try & stick with an 80mm gap between spindles – so you will need to measure the landing space then work out the rest, whilst considering the width of your spindles too.
How high can you build a deck without railing?
He’d made a point of building his deck so as to stay under the 30-inch requirement–which is the maximum deck height you can have without a railing.
Do deck stairs need railings on both sides?
Do I Need Handrails On Both Sides of Deck Stairs? Nope. You don’t need a handrail on both sides, but you may need a railing if your deck is higher than 30″. Many contractors construct a combo handrail and stair rail system, installed on both sides, to cover all safety requirements.
Do I need a handrail on both sides?
Handrails are required on both sides of stairs and ramps. They are placed between 34 inches and 38 inches above the leading edge of a stair tread, the ramp surface, or the walking surface. Where children are the primary users of a facility, the ADA recommends a second handrail for children.
What is the Australian standard for handrails?
Handrail height for stairs according to the Australian standards is the height of a handrail above the floor or the nosing of a stair tread, shall be no less than 865mm. On a landing where fall from height is significant the height of the guardrail must be at least 1000 mm.
How much is deck railing per linear foot?
Deck railings cost on average $93 per linear foot, installed. This will vary from about $42 to $648 per foot. Labor charges will be about $30 per foot. Materials can run anywhere from $15 to $600 per foot.
How many deck boards do I need for a 10×10 deck?
For a 10×10 square deck, you would therefore need twenty-two 10′ deck boards. Dimensions for deck boards can vary depending on the look you want and the deck board type you use. However, the most common is a 5/4” thick by 6” wide deck board of any length.
