The height is measured vertically above the walking surface or the line that connects the nosing of a set of stairs. When a guardrail is required per the above explanation, it must meet a minimum height requirement of no less than 36 inches for it to serve the purpose of minimizing a fall. Minimum Required Guardrail Height ( R312.1.2) So whether there is a slope or a sudden drop, a guardrail shall be provided when the drop is more than 30 inches within 36 inches from the edge. Illustration: В© Building Code Trainer, 2020 To better understand this visually, lets take a look at the graphic below: The open side of any walking surface, which include stairs, ramps, and landings, must be provided with a guardrail when the floor surface is located more than 30 inches (measured vertically) to the adjacent floor or grade at any point within 36 inches (measured horizontally) from the edge at the open side of the walking surface. Where are Guardrails required? ( R312.1.1) Now lets take a look at these sections as we explain the requirements. Since guardrails are commonly used to serve as a guard, we want to see how this section applies to guardrails so that they can comply as a вЂњGuardвЂќ as defined per Section R312. So a guard can be a building component such as a small wall that meets the minimum height requirement for a guard. вЂњA building component or a system of building components located near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to the lower level.вЂќ Per the IRC, a Guard is defined as the following: In this post we will just discuss the topic of guards. Section R312 is Titled вЂњGuards and Window Fall ProtectionвЂќ. This section explains when guardrails are required, the minimum height, and opening limitations to provide a minimum level of safety.Д«efore we get into the details, let me explain some terminology.

These guardrail requirements are found in Section R312 of the International Residential Code (IRC). To see what the difference is between the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC), check out this POST. The International Residential Code (IRC) establishes the requirements for guardrails to ensure a standard of safety for the user. Guardrails are installed to protect occupants from falling from various types of walking surfaces.

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