
Keep in mind, though, commercial buildings are required to have 42-inch handrails.

If you do decide to install a guardrail, regardless of the deck height, then it needs to be at least 36 inches tall, according to the IRC. While that’s not a huge height in terms of decks, it’s a pretty good distance to fall. This means that you could have a drop-off of 2 and a half feet and have zero protection in place. For example, the International Residential Code (IRC) only stipulates that handrails are necessary if the deck grade is above 30 inches. Today, we’ll try to touch on these three and offer our own expert advice on the situation.īuilding codes are in place to ensure safety, but these requirements are basically just the minimum standards. From construction codes to insurance requirements to personal preference, you can approach this matter from many different directions. When it comes to this safety feature, there are a lot of guidelines.

Whether you’re building a new deck, or you bought a house that already has one, don’t forget one of the most important details: handrails.
