Deck Stairs Railing Code
Learn more about the basics of deck railing code-compliance and installation in the Deck Railing Guide and Glossary of Deck Terms and Lingo.
Deck stairs railing code. After all youve invested a lot in your deck railing system. On a related note your deck must have guardrails or similar if it exceeds a height of 30 inches from the ground. Treads must be at least 10 inches deep measuring from front to back.
Handrails are required on stairways and must meet specific guidelines. It exists to keep people safe. Ad Find China Manufacturers Of Wrought Iron Stairs.
Given that a deck railings purpose is to prevent people from falling off of it its critical to have proper deck railing post spacing to ensure your deck is safe. Building and handrail codes require any flight of stairs with four or more rises to be built with a handrail on at least one side. If your deck is below 30 then you do not need a railing for most North American jurisdictions.
This image shows a contemporary technique where solid stringers and open risers are set higher up against the fascia and angle brackets secure them to the deck. Ad Find China Manufacturers Of Wrought Iron Stairs. Some areas require taller guardrail.
Deck Stair Handrails Handrails are installed on stairs to assist in ascending and descending by providing something to grasp for balance. A guardrail is typically required for stairs with 4-or-more risers or for a deck or balcony with 30 inches above grade. Building code for deck railing indicates that you need a deck railing for any deck that is 30 or more above grade.
This deck railing height code also applies to commercial decks and balconies such as restaurants bars and museums as well as multi-family homes condos and any deck on a third-story or higher. If you choose to install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30 the railing must still meet code requirements. Building code requires support posts for the rail structure to be no further apart than 6 feet on a deck with 44 deck rail posts and no more than 8 feet apart for decks with 66 deck rail posts.