Stair Baluster Opening Exceptions –ġ) The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail of a guard at the open side of a stairway are permitted to be of such size that a sphere 6 inches cannot pass through.Ģ) Openings for required guards on the sides of stair threads shall not allow a sphere 4 3/8 inches to pass through. Use a 3 ½” space when laying out baluster location to compensate for shrinkage. The use of #2 pressure treated wood will allow for substantial shrinkage, increasing the space between the balusters. Guard rail baluster spaces – The maximum space between balusters must not allow the passage of a 4” sphere or more in diameter. Here is an example building code citation using CT's stair code (City of Bristol) deck code that is based on the 2012 IRC: But had he fallen he could have broken his ankle or leg. The result was, happily, only an epoch of panic, as there were no injuries. My godson Josh managed to stick his little foot between two balusters on his home's back porch, then turned so that he couldn't get it out. So I'd stay with 4" or else make the balusters so close that a little foot won't pass through and get stuck. Some spacings, around 3 " can form a foot trap. Code inspectors use a 4" diameter ball to demonstrate that the spacing is safe: the ball should not be able to pass through any opening in the guard along a stair, balcony, or deck.īy some building inspectors, the balusters can be spaced more-closely than 4" but in the article above I warn of a serious child hazard - foot traps. building codes typically require that balusters be spaced *no more* than 4" apart. You'll see also that instead of a 4" sphere or ball, a 6" sphere may be used to test certain areas along the bottom of a guardrail along a stairway. In an interesting refinement that I quote below, some officials want balusters on an outdoor deck, perhaps using wet pressure-treated wood balusters, to be constructed on 3 1/2" centers so that even after wood shrinkage (as it dries) the 4" maximum opening width will be preserved. On by (mod) - example of building code on guard rail baluster spacingĭepending on the codes that apply where you live, balusters should be spaced from 4" apart.
Pounds of resistance against a handrail allowed. Handrail assemblies and guards shall be able to resist a single concentrated load of 200 pounds (0.89kN), applied in any direction at any point along the top, and have attachment devices and supporting structure to transfer this loading to appropriate structural elements of the building. Handrail assemblies and guards shall be designed to resist a load of 50 pounds per linear foot (pound per foot) (0.73 kN/m) applied in any direction at the top and to transfer this load through the supports to the structure. On 15:23:40.526828 by (mod) - guardrail strength - pounds of force IBC 1607.7.1 Handrails and guards. were posted originally at BALUSTERS, STAIR & RAILING - be sure to review that article as well. These questions and answers about proper design, installation, strength, and spacing of balusters that enclose guards along stairs, balconies, decks, etc.
Questions & Answers About Balusters along Stair Guards, Balcony & Landing Rails We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.
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This article series describes procedures for performing safety inspections of the balusters used on indoor or outdoor stairs, railings, landings. Stair baluster safety & code specification FAQs. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest.