Decks attached to single family detached homes are regulated under the rules of the international residential code irc.
Roof deck design height limit lowered railing.
200 lb concentrated load.
Deck guardrail height.
50 lb concentrated load over 1 sqft or balusters.
In canada the maximum height from the ground is 24 inches.
4 maximum gap between balusters.
On the surface this seems to line up with ibc and osha regulations but there is one crucial difference.
Additional documents may be available in some regions.
Height limits shown above are measured in feet.
If your porch floor is over the heights stated the code requires a balustrade porch railing.
Deck guardrails guards should rise to at least 36 inches above the residential deck level.
34 minimum stair rail height from nosing to top of rail.
A requirements for single family dwelling projects may be more restrictive as required by section 12 21a 17 of this code.
The minimum height of the railing varies based on the height of the deck.
Residential design advisory team rdat and do not require a pre application meeting or section 311 neighborhood notification.
If you choose to install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30 you must still meet code requirements.
Respect minimum height requirements safety is important and something that should always supersede style.
The planning code exempts stair penthouses to a maximum 10 feet above the prescribed height limit provided they do not exceed 20 percent of the roof area.
This is a minimum required height for residential structure higher guards are acceptable.
Code nyc bc requires that all buildings greater than 22 feet tall with low slope roofs and terraces have a 42 inch tall parapet railing or fence.
Likewise elevator penthouses are exempted to a maximum of 16.
Decks without railing pictures ideas designs picture search filters any deck type ground level deck second story deck pool deck first story deck porch curved deck multi level deck roof deck.
The nyc bc does not limit this require ment to accessibleroof areas.
In the usa if your porch floor is less than 30 inches high from the ground a porch railing is not required by code.
Although not specifically referenced in the irc dca 6 2015 the deck design guideline from the american wood council can be used to design a deck.
4 maximum gap between deck and underside of bottom rail.
50 lbf vertical and horizontal load along top rail.
36 minimum height when surface is 30 above grade.
See code for other limitations e g number of stories and or floor area limits based on the buildable area of the lot aka floor area ratio.
2018 irc significant changes to deck provisions 25 deck design alternative provisions r301 1 1 other standards can be used to design a deck.
