With that said let us continue with the irc provisions.
Balcony railing height code california.
California requires homeowners to have deck railings that are a minimum of 42 high.
In certain areas of the country such as california and washington state deck raiilng much reach a height of 42 inches above the deck surface.
Handrail ends must be returned and terminated at rail posts.
Treads must be at least 10 inches deep measuring from front to back.
Decks 24 to 5 10 180 cm need 36 guards and anything above 5 10 requires a 42 high railing.
For example in california the guardrail height requirement per the california residential code crc is to be no less than 42 inches.
There is no maximum height.
A a standard guardrail shall consist of top rail midrail or equivalent protection and posts and shall have a vertical height within the range of 42 inches to 45 inches from the upper surface of the top rail to the floor platform runway or ramp level.
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.
In california deck railings are required to be a minimum of 42 tall measured from the deck surface to the top of the guardrail.
The sweep space between the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4.
The top edge of the handrail must be placed between 34 and 38 above the nosing of the stair treads.
California is one of the few states that mandate 42 railings and the requirements are no different than other states 42 is measured from the top of the deck surface to the top of the deck railing.
Guardrail opening limitations baluster spacing r312 1 3.
The maximum distance between balusters or between a post and baluster in the california building code is 4 inches.
Handrails are required for stairs and must meet standards as specified by r311 5 6 3 in the irc code.
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.
Typical loading requirements dictate that guardrails should be strong enough to withstand 200 pounds of force applied anywhere along the top rail.
The minimum height of the railing varies based on the height of the deck.
For stairs installed before april 3 1997 this height shall be between 30 and 38 inches.
Requirements for deck stairs the code has some very specific requirements for deck stairs.