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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    WESTMINSTER CO
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    Default GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    hi all

    did a house yesterday and there was a deck that was 27" to be exact above ground and did not have a gaurdrail. pointed this out to seller who showed up at end of inspection and he said city said it could be 38 inches and did not require rail. my recollection is 24" max

    any input here

    thanks
    charlie

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    195

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    Assuming that they're using IRC:

    "R312.1 Guards.
    Porches, balconies, ramps or raised floor surfaces located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height."




  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
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    3,154

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    In a case like that, I will state that a guardrail may not be required, but installation of a guardrail will increase safety.

    Department of Redundancy Department
    Supreme Emperor of Hyperbole
    http://www.FullCircleInspect.com/

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    28,032

    Default Re: GUARDRAILS AROUND DECK

    I would always explain to my clients that, do you really think that 3" is going to injure you any less?

    They get it right away.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  5. #5
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    I would add that the built-in benches add enough height to require railings. Children, and stupid adults (which is most of them - like your AHJ for example) do not always distinguish between the horizontal portion of the deck intended to be walked upon and that which is intended to support fat asses.


  6. #6
    Stephen Houmard's Avatar
    Stephen Houmard Guest

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    When thiking of deck saftey I use the rule ," What would my drunk friends do?" Railing, seats, steps.....dancing with fat women....how would they hurt themself
    IRC is the min code for saftey...think higher.


  7. #7
    Rob Yarboro's Avatar
    Rob Yarboro Guest

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    Guardrails are a good idea, sorry, I thought they were racing on the deck. Nevermind.


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    WESTMINSTER CO
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    1,152

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    ROB
    what did all that mean

    charlie


  9. #9
    Rob Yarboro's Avatar
    Rob Yarboro Guest

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    I read guardrails and thought what's around a racetrack. Sorry, I'll plead a blonde moment.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    249

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    If the owner was there at the end of the inspection and thought the height was 38" for requiring a gaurd rail, then good luck on convincing him 27" is unsafe. He's within the 30" max. I would just move on with this one.


  11. #11
    Mitchell Toelle's Avatar
    Mitchell Toelle Guest

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    Quote Originally Posted by Door Guy View Post
    If the owner was there at the end of the inspection and thought the height was 38" for requiring a gaurd rail, then good luck on convincing him 27" is unsafe. He's within the 30" max. I would just move on with this one.
    I guess that's why you're just the "Door Guy". Bad advice.


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    I recommend 6" of bark mulch for a soft safe landing........


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
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    4,607

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    Quote Originally Posted by ben jacks View Post
    Good idea John,

    Does this imply that the grade-deck height reduction may permit avoiding the original code requirement? rbj
    Yep. Make that 7 1/2" of mulch and eliminate one riser on the steps too.


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Westminster, B. C., Canada
    Posts
    165

    Default Re: GAURDRAILS AROUND DECK

    Hi, all &

    It's 24" up-here in good ol' Canada (B.C. - West Coast -to be more precise)...

    Just 'maybe' that Owner has already taken a 'HEADER" of his own Deck & that is why his logic is so 'bent' on the subject ?


    CHEERS !


    -Glenn Duxbury, CHI

    -Glenn Duxbury, CHI

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: GUARDRAILS AROUND DECK

    With 6", 7", 8" of mulch ... I'd rather fall onto some nice grass, that mulch is no pleasure to fall onto - that mulch stuff can stick up in all the wrong directions, and it hurts.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

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