ICC Regulations for Deck Railing Heights

ICC

• The International Code Council was established in 1994 to standardize the multiple building codes that existed in the U.S. at the time, and to eliminate duplicated and conflicting standards. It created the International Residential Code, or IRC, which governs deck railing heights among other housing standards. It is now in common use by most municipalities, states and some federal agencies including the General Services Administration and the Department of Defense. Other ICC codes that can affect deck railing heights include the International Existing Building Code, the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.

Decks

• The primary IRC regulation that applies to deck railings specifies that they must be at least 36 inches high, as measured from the surface of the deck up to the top of the guardrail. The actual height of supporting posts can vary, depending on the thickness of the top and bottom rail. Patterns can vary for posts and slats as long as they don’t allow a 4-inch diameter ball to pass through spaces. (This is the approximate size of a small child’s head.)

Stairs

• Any stairs leading toward the deck require at least one continuous handrail on at least one side, if the stairs contain four or more risers. These stair rails must measure from 34 to 38 inches high, as measured vertically either from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosings, or from the finished surface of the adjoining ramp slope. The rail can exceed the maximum height when providing a transition from stair rail to guardrail if it provides a continuous transition between multiple flights of stairs or if it is at the start of a flight.

Disabilities

• Using the IRC as a guide, the Americans with Disabilities Acts specifies codes for stairs and handrails that enable handicapped individuals to enjoy decks. These codes are mandatory only for commercial structures such as apartments or hotels, but optional for private residences. It specifies that handrails are required on both sides of a ramp or staircase leading to a deck. In cases where standards are not specified, such as in the height of deck rails, the ADA allows IRC regulations to be used.