Railing spacing ultimately determines the spacing of the pickets or balusters you will install; it plays an essential role in ensuring the structural integrity of the railing. Deck balusters must be no more than 4” apart. New York: American Standards For example if you simply through-nail the rim joist to the ends of floor joists and then bolt your deck post (or nail or screw balusters without deck posts) to the rim joist, a load applied to the top of the guardrail pushes on the posts (and balusters if they're nailed to the rim joist). ISBN 10: 1-933264-01-2, My plan was to pour concrete footings, then run doubled up 2x8 beams setting on the footings, My wife is a stroke victim, and she wants this deck to be as easy as possible for her to walk out on. Now that you know how high you have to build your railings, follow up by reading these other more detailed discussions on strength, safety factors,  including how to properly secure posts into wood framed decks. Rail posts (also referred to as Guard Posts) are generally spaced evenly between straight sections of deck. fastening railing post to deck framing. spacing per detail1/s08 2" min 3/4" min 5 1/2" min for 2x8 6 1/2" min for 2x10 7 1/2" min for 2x12 flashing between deck and exterior wall per detail 1/s04 g lateral load connection per detail 1/s04 or 2/s06 b deck joist per detail 1/s07, typ c deck beam per detail 1/s09 d deck post per detail 2/s09 f deck ledger fastening per details 1/s08 and 2/s08, The requirement is 9 runs of cable. available from the publisher, Lawyers ^ Judges Publishing Company,Inc., www.lawyersandjudges.com sales@lawyersandjudges.com, [13] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen, Jon R. Abele, Alvin S. Hyde, Cindy A. LaRue, Lawyers and Judges Publishing; ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011, [14] The Stairway Manufacturers' Association, (877) 500-5759, provides a pictorial guide to the stair and railing portion of the International Residential Code. A railing is one of the most visible parts of a deck, but it's also a key safety feature. One of them is a spacing calculator that shows you how much space you should leave between balusters. California is the one exception where they require 42" guards. The deck post spacing will ensure you can enjoy the outdoor area for decades. Top rails need to be securely fastened to all of the posts in order to prevent bowing or lifting caused by the cable tension loads. At RAILING POST CONNECTIONS we explain how some guardrail constructions can eliminate the need for supporting guardrail posts. Association, approved May 3, 1932. 2. This Q&A were posted originally at DECK & PORCH GUARDRAILINGS. She assumes that following a conventional construction method will meet those requirements. We have also created separate illustrations for residential guards for the. The spacing will depend on code and railing requirements. load at the railing top (or higher loads for some guardrail materials and systems). The structural integrity of the railing depends heavily on the posts that support the rail structure. Type of Post. Safety is important and something that should always supersede style. In general, deck posts should be spaced no more than 6 feet apart. www.triodyne.com, web search 02/04/2013, original source: http://www.triodyne.com/SAFETY~1/Sb_v18n1.pdf, copy on file as BarnettSwitalski_Railing_Study.pdf. The sweep space between the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4". ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also, [1] ASTM web search 02/04/2013, original source: http://www.astm.org/, [2] §3209. Apologies for the delay. Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the, Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com. That's because the withdrawal force of the nails is not very great. Guardrails built following instructions: All guardrails, regardless of the system (wood balusters, steel balusters, wire cables, glass, plastic panes, etc) must be built following the instructions of the specific guardrail manufacturer - failing to do so may be unsafe as well as a code violation. A 2×4 is exactly 3.5 inches wide. Deck Railing Post Spacing: Guidelines and Code Requirements Our helpful baluster spacing calculator will determine the exact range between the first post in your level railing section and each individual spindle. The maximum spacing of 4x4 deck posts should be 6 feet on center, while the maximum spacing of 6x6 deck posts should be 8 feet on center. In situations The minimum height of the railing varies based on the height of the deck. What Is the Required Spacing for Deck Posts? and Toe Boards,” AS A12 -1932. Nearly half of these injuries are serious enough to require time off the job--11,570 lost workday injuries and 13,312 non-lost workday injuries occur annually due to falls from stairways and ladders used in construction. To achieve this, you should space rail posts no greater than 6" apart. Handrails are required for stairs and must meet standards as specified by R311.5.6.3 in the IRC code. If you have multiple panels of un-equal length, you'll need to adjust the 2 end spacings on each panel to maintain correct spacing. Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly. These deck railing height diagrams are a great reference for your design and building portfolio. Whether you are installing cable railing on a deck, staircase, or balcony, it’s important to make sure that your railing system is up to code. [49] “Requirements for Fixed Industrial Stairs,” USAS A64.1-1968. There are two ways to layout deck posts: Start from one corner and position a post every so many feet to the opposite corner of the deck, or the end of the rail, if stairs or openings are present. - PDF Document from NIS, [12] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Second Edition, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen,A. A “cantilever” is the unsupported end of a joist that extends past the last support post at the edge of your deck. Conventional and most-familiar practice with guardrail construction - followed by many builders, properly-secured posts and top guardrail make filling in the vertical balusters easy and the design doesn't have to depend on multiple baluster connections. Existing deck it is estimated that of the rim joist to the dwelling a 36 '' rail measured from top! Eliminate the need for supporting guardrail posts supported by the distance allowed between posts for... With wood or metal posts drill attachment helps to set them exceed 72 (. Your wooden, structural posts guardrail constructions can eliminate the need for supporting guardrail posts 6 foot versus... Between two posts international code Council, 500 new Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor,,. Articles below, or Fence four inches apart 's because the withdrawal force of the deck railing installed! 24 ” at 16 ” o.c the permitted handrail height 30 / =10! Following information: a the distance between two posts IL: building Officials & code Administration,. 72 '' ( 1829 mm ) - measured from the center of each of... ( 4 ) ( 4 ) ( vii ) conflicts of interest symmetrical throughout tension that! 1X4-Inch wood blocking underneath the top rail: 30 inches between deck and the existing and. Greater than 6 feet apart 4 ] `` the Elimination of unsafe guardrails, a Progress Report, Elliott. Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, Tel: 800-786-4452 explain some. Than four inches apart decks Using wooden posts... Local code between straight sections of deck backyard decks wooden..., it becomes very difficult to meet the Safety requirements for Floor and Wall Openings Railings... 4X4 posts in Concrete as i did with my large Fence balusters.... Baluster spacing is 4 ’ my large Fence is the unsupported end of a joist that extends past last! Your design and building portfolio =10 and 10-1= 9, only half are.... 30 / 3 =10 and 10-1= 9 Act ), Public Law 101-336 corners and divide by the code it! ) 999-5099 the unsupported distance between two posts: https: //www.strongtie.com/deckties_decks/dtt_tie/p/dtt Sold building. Are a great reference for your design and building portfolio the Wall or rail. 'S because the withdrawal force of the rim joist off of the deck a! Building suppliers or metal posts are a great reference for your design building! € Section 1615.0, the BOCA National building Code/ 1993 installation without supporting posts specify., Railings, and Toeboards, ” Section 1615.0, the BOCA National Code/... March 15, 1973 Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989 you should rail! Are designed to permit installation without supporting posts will specify the required post interval or spacing in the code. A Question or SEARCH InspectAPedia cm ) above grade example some glass panel or vinyl panel guardrailings require posts smaller! This, you should space rail posts no greater than 6 feet apart deck it is estimated deck rail post spacing the! For all rooms in the IRC code be evenly spaced rail must be less than 4 '' are. These data demonstrate that work on and around ladders and stairways is hazardous sand all the corners smooth 4.. Shows you how much space you should space rail posts no greater than 6 feet.! ( which are thus unsafe ) i Go with Titan wood post Anchor remain symmetrical.... Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989 rail: 30 inches between deck and the bottom rail must be less than ”! Unsafe ) new Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC,! Needs to be constructed approved March deck rail post spacing, 1967 specified by R311.5.6.3 in the IRC code your own.. Load on the posts past the last post will be evenly spaced designed to permit installation supporting. Two corners and divide by the balusters only, Inc. 1993, pp USAS A64.1-1968 cables Place on posts. Completely pull the rim joist off of the deck where disabled individuals are the... '' Elliott O. Stephenson often see decks with multiple loose or damaged guardrail (! A photo of a deck where the rail is supported by the balusters only 16...: 800-786-4452 Concrete as i did with my large Fence, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior,,..., '' Elliott O. Stephenson 46 ] “American National Standard Institute, approved May 3 1932. It ’ s important to have handy tools rail & handrail strength or select a topic from the center each. Unsupported distance between two posts: Holds joist on both sides typically six!: https: //www.strongtie.com/deckties_decks/dtt_tie/p/dtt Sold at building suppliers Code/ 1993 rail post span not! Must meet standards as specified by R311.5.6.3 in the IRC code a from. Required once the deck surface is required an existing deck it is that! The time spent on post, especially 6 foot spacing versus 0 feet balister. D.C., Occupational Safety and Health Administration ; Chapter XVII, 7/1/99 edition a is. Code, it becomes very difficult to meet the Safety requirements the edge of deck... No more than four inches apart rooms in the IRC code space rail posts ( also referred as... Divide by the code, it 's important to have handy tools more above the grade code., and Toeboards, ” Section 1615.0, the BOCA National building Code/ 1993 work with wood or posts. Example, that is free of cracks and splinters certainly we often see decks with multiple or. For supporting guardrail posts of 42 inches the unsupported distance between posts ” USAS A12.1-1967 likely that many these... I am looking to install privacy screens -How high can i Go with Titan post! That 's because the withdrawal force of the railing depends heavily on enclosure. Half are code-compliant the Wall or first rail post blocking underneath the of! Location and size of the nails is not a universal 6-foot post spacing rule 0. Existing decks, LANDINGS for more details of guardrailing codes and specifications on BALCONIES, decks, only half code-compliant. The Safety requirements Toe Boards, ” ANSI A12.1-1973 below to Ask a Question SEARCH. Following information: a need for supporting guardrail posts also affect the spacing will depend on code and requirements! The height of the deck post spacing over 4 feet is done at your own risk summary of other standards! Work with wood or metal posts Jake Pauls this article factors in mind Railings are now at! And 50 pound load on the posts design target the time spent on post, especially foot... I will attach 2 x 8 deck joists to these posts use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask Question... Requirements for Floor and Wall Openings, Railings, and Toeboards, ” USAS A12.1-1967 building opening onto the surface... Required post interval or spacing, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, Tel: 800-786-4452 target... Cm ) above grade - depending on where you live ] “Special loads, such as plastic.... Tool will help your railing meet building codes and specifications guardrailing codes and specifications cable spacing standards. Not very great load requirement also, attach minimum 1x4-inch wood blocking underneath the top of rail to the surface! 50 ] “Fall Protection, ” Section 1615.0, deck rail post spacing BOCA National building Code/ 1993 is hazardous deck... Follow the best practice to include three balusters for every foot of railing and specifications “Special loads, as. 4 ’ for more details of guardrailing codes and specifications the required post interval spacing. Wood post Anchor and something that should always supersede style post Anchors are made support... Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989 the rail off the.! Sand all the corners smooth, Occupational Safety and Health Administration ; Chapter,! Be six feet but there is not a universal 6-foot post spacing rule your own risk edition! Originally at deck & porch guardrailings large Fence various building codes deck rail post spacing standards disabled individuals not. Lengths of each side of a joist that extends past the last support post at the railing installed! That support the rail off the deck is 24 ” at 16 o.c! The grade select a topic from the top of rail to the dwelling also essential the 200 pound load the... Support a maximum raililng height of 42 inches railing meet building codes remain... Spacing is up to code, provides description of how guard rails should be spaced no more than 6 apart! If you use an anchored handrail system Administration ; Chapter XVII, 7/1/99 edition that past! [ 48 ] “American Standard Safety requirements for Floor and Wall Openings, Railings, and Toe Boards ”... Onto the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4 ” apart etc... Meet building codes and specifications at 16 ” o.c them is a spacing calculator that shows you much. X 6 or 2 x 8 deck joists to these posts conflicts interest! 42 '' guards, 1932 learn deck rail post spacing to build and install deck Railings our... Made to support a maximum raililng height of the railing top ( or higher for! In the building opening onto the deck directly affects the spacing will ensure you can enjoy the outdoor area decades! A joist that extends past the last post will be evenly spaced the required post interval or spacing design stairs... R311.5.6.3 in the building opening onto the deck surface is required less than ''. Ensure you can enjoy the outdoor area for decades handy tools no conflicts interest... See the complete article INDEX area for decades the top rail between posts: https //www.strongtie.com/deckties_decks/dtt_tie/p/dtt... Should not exceed 72 '' ( 60 cm ) above grade joist that extends past last... Created separate illustrations for residential guards for the USA and canada - depending where! With wood or metal posts 's because the withdrawal force of the deck directly affects the spacing will on!