Replies

1. 
   mathewson | Feb 24, 2008 06:30pm | #1

   Try this

   http://www.arcways.com/pdfs/IRC2000a.pdf

2. 
   mike_maines | Feb 24, 2008 07:01pm | #2

   Residential, inside and outside is 36".  Stairs are 34" to 38".

3. 
   Howard_Burt | Feb 25, 2008 12:22am | #3

   Ponytl,

   You might want to check your local code. I know here in CA it's 42".

1. 
   JoeMikkelsen | Feb 25, 2008 05:15am | #6

   Im in the stair business in the san fran area and the codes here are 34"-38" on the rake and 36" min on balcony's .

   Edited 2/24/2008 9:15 pm ET by JoeMikkelsen

1. 
   Howard_Burt | Feb 25, 2008 06:55am | #10

   Joe,

   New 2007 code changed this effective the first of 2008.

   Here's a link to some of the many changes .

     View Image07_CBC_Changes.pdf

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Feb 25, 2008 07:52am | #11

   Need to be a Member to log into that linked site.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

1. 
   Howard_Burt | Feb 25, 2008 05:39pm | #12

   Here's a short list of changes the City of Sacramento is handing out:

   ATTENTIONCONTRACTORS, BUILDERS,AND HOMEOWNERS-On January 30, 2007 the California Building Standards Commission completed the adoption of new building standards for the State of California.(The 2007 California Building Code)This code will be in effect and enforced on applications received on or after January 1st 2008.!!!THESE CHANGES WILL AFFECT YOU!!!In an effort to prevent unnecessary costs and hardship the we have compiled a list of common Residential requirements that have changed.This list is in no way a complete accounting of all of the changes in the new code. There are many structural and design changes that will affect construction.Some of the new 2007 CBC requirements are listed below.Building Department guidelines are in ( ).1. (All foundations require drains) 1807.4.2- A drain shall be placed around the perimeter of a foundation that consists of gravel or crushed stone…a minimum of 12 inches beyond the outside edge of the footing. The thickness shall be…not less than 6 inches above the top of the footing. The top of the drain shall be covered with an approved filter membrane material.2. (“Green board” can no longer be used in tub or shower areas)2509.2-Cement, fiber-cement or glass mat gypsum backers…shall be used as a base for wall tile in tub and shower areas.3. (New stair riser maximum and tread depth minimum)1009.3 Stair risers-…the maximum riser height shall be 7.75 inches…the minimum tread depth shall be 10 inches…4. (New maximum for landings under door thresholds)1008.1.4 Exception 3- in group R-3 (Single Family Dwelling) the landing at an exterior door shall not be more than 7.75 inches below the top of the threshold, provided the door does not swing over the landing.(The 3/8” requirement for maximum variation in rise and run has not changed)5. (New requirement for open treads)1009.3.3 Exception 1 …solid risers are not required (for Single Family Dwellings), provided the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a 4 inch sphere…(Also see building dept for winder/curved stair/spiral stair requirements)6. (New handrail requirement)1009.10 Stairways shall have handrails on each side…Exception: 2-Stairways WITHIN dwelling units (Stairways on the EXTERIOR of Single Family Dwellings require handrails on both sides)7. (New guardrail requirement)1013.2 -All guardrails shall form a protective barrier not less than 42 inches high…(Guardrails are still required at elevations over 30 inches)8. (New window requirement, based on height of window above exterior grade)1405.12.2-…where the opening of the sill portion of an operable window is located more than 72 inches above finished grade or other surface below, the lowest part of the clear opening of the window shall be 24 inches above the finished floor surface of the room…9. (New size requirements for plate washers at sills)2308.12.8-… steel plate washers shall be a minimum of 3 inch x 3 inch x 1/4 inch in size. The hole in the plate washer is permitted to be diagonally slotted with a width of up to 3/16 inch larger than the bolt diameter and a slot length not to exceed 1 3/4 inch, provided a standard cut washer is placed between the plate washer and nut.10. New draftstopping requirement, attic draftstopping in single family dwellings is now required.)717.4.3- Draftstopping shall be installed in attics and concealed roof spaces, such that any horizontal area does not exceed 3000 square feet.11. New requirement for headroom at hallways)1208.2 -…Corridors shall have a ceiling height of 7 feet 6 inches. (No hallway exception)12. (New requirement for minimum kitchen dimensions) 1208.2.1 exception- Every kitchen … shall have not less than 50 square feet of gross floor area.13. (New COMBINATION TYPE arc-fault circuit interrupters required)CEC 210.12(B) – all 120 volt, single phase, 15 and 20 amp circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by a listed arc fault circuit interrupter, combination type, installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.14. (New requirement for kitchen island receptacles)210.52(C) (2)- Where a rangetop or sink is installed in an island counter and the width of the counter behind the rangetop or sink is less than 12 inches, the rangetop or sink is considered to divide the island into two separate counter top spaces… (requiring two receptacles) 15.New requirement for pool bonding grid) CEC 680.26(C) - The parts specified in 680.26(B) (pool steel,lights,metal fittings,equipment) shall be connected to an equipotential bonding grid with a solid copper conductor… not smaller than 8 AWG…the common grid shall extend for 3 feet horizontally beyond the inside walls of the pool…Please note:This is a partial list of the new requirements. As we continue the review process, this list will be updated.

2. 
   dovetail97128 | Feb 25, 2008 06:08pm | #13

   Thanks.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

3. 
   JeffinPA | Mar 02, 2008 12:51am | #21

   Thank the lord I dont work in California.

   Pennsylvania is easy.

   IRC and there are I think 2 revisions at the state level.

    

4. 
   Matt | Mar 02, 2008 01:13am | #22

   California Building Code? 

   Doesn't mean anything to me....

5. 
   Snort | Mar 02, 2008 05:15pm | #23

   So, what did ya find out, just in case I ever get a rail to do in Memphis... in between trips to the Rendezvous. Winterlude, Winterlude, my little daisy,

   Winterlude by the telephone wire,

   Winterlude, it's makin' me lazy,

   Come on, sit by the logs in the fire.

   The moonlight reflects from the window

   Where the snowflakes, they cover the sand.

   Come out tonight, ev'rything will be tight,

   Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.

6. 
   ponytl | Mar 02, 2008 05:36pm | #24

   actually i didn't yet...  i was doing some layouts... my steel comes 20ft... so i like to design for best use... least waste...

   not that i ever toss out a steel drop... and they always seemed to get used... which is another great thing about steel & welding  there really is pretty close to zero waste... and even that if tossed into a drum can be sold for scrap... 55gal drum of pure junk steel drops could be worth $200 

   i always find uses for 2-3" long angle iron drops... i have an electric over hyd. hole punch that with 2 holes in 5 seconds turns em into great mounting brackets...

   anyway... did some layouts... and 8 of my rails return/trans into being stair hand rails so at 40" rail height it makes it  "look"  more "right"   haven't settled on any one design... and not sure how many will be alike... "alike" speeds production but... being different... i get to take artistic liberties.... both have a place... sometimes material "on hand" wins the design... 

    I've been real consistant in materials just used in different ways... so... until i start cutting & burning metal... even i don't know final design.. keeps me interested

   way more info than you asked for i know :)

   p

7. 
   Snort | Mar 03, 2008 04:49am | #25

   I've always found your use of materials to be more than interesting... the more info, the more interesting.Is your project considered residential, or commercial? And how do you get to be artistic with the inspections dept? Liabitility's not a concern?And, where's the pics of this place? Winterlude, Winterlude, my little daisy,

   Winterlude by the telephone wire,

   Winterlude, it's makin' me lazy,

   Come on, sit by the logs in the fire.

   The moonlight reflects from the window

   Where the snowflakes, they cover the sand.

   Come out tonight, ev'rything will be tight,

   Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.

2. 
   JoeMikkelsen | Feb 27, 2008 05:41am | #14

   WOW ! 42" on a balcony rail is awfully high , very uncomfortable for most people to grab . I have built three stairs this year with balcony rails set around 37" . They passed . We will see what happens . Thanks for the info
   Joe

1. 
   JDRHI | Feb 27, 2008 06:50am | #15

   A guard rail is different than a handrail, no?

   A guard rail surrounds a deck, or balcony, or open stairwell.....whereas a handrail goes up with a set of stairs.

   A hand rail should be lower than 42", so that it is comfortable to grab. Especially for children.

    

   Beware the bikini clad female.

   She may be interpreted as offensive.

    

    

2. 
   JoeMikkelsen | Mar 01, 2008 09:27pm | #16

   You are correct . Your comment made me think of the commercial jobs I have done where I have run both a guard rail and a grab rail , although code does not require a grab rail on a balcony . I do think it is a shame to require a 42" min height on a balcony for residential because it can make a less than attractive transition from rake rail to balcony rail/guard rail . ( rails are drastically different heights where they meet post) I most always set my balcony heights at least 37" from finish floor and they are very comfortable and safe .

3. 
   JDRHI | Mar 01, 2008 11:20pm | #17

   I agree that it always looks nicer when balcony and handrails are set, and meet at the same height....but with children of my own, I have come to learn that a lower guard rail is almost asking for trouble as the kids tend to climb anything they can reach the top of.

   I tend to make the best of a "bad" situation and set handrails at minimum heights and guardrails higher. I find it more pleasing to the eye if they are further apart, rather than ALMOST in line, which can appear to be a mistake.

   Beware the bikini clad female.

   She may be interpreted as offensive.

    

    

4. 
   dovetail97128 | Mar 02, 2008 12:13am | #18

   Understanding the reason for the 42" height makes it more palatable.

   36-37" high railings put the majority of the body mass above the railing height. A slip , bump or dumb move puts you over the railing much easier at the lower heights than at 42" and higher. The lower railing height actually acts as a fulcrum instead of a restraining device.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

4. 
   2weekstops | Feb 25, 2008 03:34am | #4

   Pretty sure it's 42" on a second story interior railing

5. 
   Heck | Feb 25, 2008 03:35am | #5

   42" here

   you only get one chance to do it right the first time                   

6. 
   Snort | Feb 25, 2008 05:29am | #7

   Commercial may be different than residential, county different than state, city different from county...

   In NC residential, stairs are 30-38", balconies 36"... lotta different no.s in this thread<G>

   Winterlude, Winterlude, my little daisy,

   Winterlude by the telephone wire,

   Winterlude, it's makin' me lazy,

   Come on, sit by the logs in the fire.

   The moonlight reflects from the window

   Where the snowflakes, they cover the sand.

   Come out tonight, ev'rything will be tight,

   Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.

1. 
   Matt | Mar 02, 2008 12:42am | #19

   FYI here in NC commercial and multi family residential guardrails (interior or exterior) need to be 42".  As you say though, 1 and 2 family residential is 36".

   Edited 3/1/2008 4:44 pm ET by Matt

7. 
   oops | Feb 25, 2008 06:22am | #8

   FWIW. International Residential Code. Guards (railing) Section R312. Min. 30" if required.

   International Building Code (commercial) Guards (railing) Section 1012. Min. 42" if required.

   Guards required if balcony &/or porch is more than 30" above the finish floor below.

   Local codes may vary. Better check.

    

8. 
   oops | Feb 25, 2008 06:27am | #9

   Correction. Residential code is 36"min, not 30" as I first posted. Sorry about that. Again, it should be 36" min. for residential construction.

9. 
   Matt | Mar 02, 2008 12:45am | #20

   National code?  What code is that?

   You need to first say what state you live in.  I'm thinking it's Tenn?