Additionally, the deck posts must be attached to the footing according to By using these guidelines, you can ensure that your deck railing will provide adequate support while also preserving the aesthetics of your deck. Requirements were enacted for building standards, such as fire resistance, drainage, and fall protection. Building Code Deck Railing Post Spacing Requirements According to the International Building Code, deck railing posts should be spaced no further than 6 feet apart. Deck Railing Code The International Residential Code (IRC), adopted by most US cities and towns, requires 36-in.-high deck railings for decks more than 30 in. With interior-mounted posts, you’re limited by the joists that run from the ledger to the rim joist. [47] “USA Standard Safety Requirements for Floor and Wall Openings, Railings, and Toe Boards,” USAS A12.1-1967. That method no longer meets code. Improperly spaced posts can make a railing weak, creating a hazard that can cause serious injury and even death. Sometimes local building codes will have more stringent regulations, so check your local building department for post spacing requirements. He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking. If you’re in California, they require residential posts to be a minimum of 42 inches tall. Given that a deck railing’s purpose is to prevent people from falling off of it, it’s critical to have proper deck railing post spacing to ensure your deck is safe. The height of a railing is measured from the top of the floor boards to the top edge of the railing. Keep in mind that this additional length means that each footer doubling as a rail post will need to go more deeply into the ground than a standard footer to provide adequate support. You have a couple of options for the corners of externally-mounted posts. Calculating the space between the railing posts is the first step in the railing installation process. If a property owner or contractor elects to install railings on any deck lower than 30″, the railings must still meet code. I hope this article has taught you how to properly space the railing posts on your deck. You’ll need to install posts on either side of the stringer where the stairs meet the deck, which will affect the spacing of the other posts on that side. Do not overlook the importance of properly spaced deck post railings in the overall safety of your deck. One could even make the argument that a weak deck railing due to poor post spacing is worse than having no deck railing at all. For the 12-foot sides, you’ll need three posts for each side: one for each corner and one at the halfway point (6 feet) between the corner posts. To achieve even spacing, the 20-foot side will have a post every 5 feet. 1 (S4S) Southern Yellow Pine (Modulus of Rupture 7,400 p.s.i.)) This deck railing height code also applies to commercial decks and balconies such as restaurants, bars, and museums as well as multi-family homes, condos, and any deck on a third-story or higher. Check with the building department for specific depths required. If you’re a homeowner, you might wonder which parts of code actually applies to you, and whether you actually have to pay close attention. For the side of the deck that runs perpendicular to the joists, you’ll need to space your posts so they fit in the corner where the joists and the rim joist meet. Will Water Softener Improve My Drinking Water? Keep in mind that although you may add a rail to a deck that’s less than 30 inches above grade, that railing still needs to adhere to these safety requirements. of pressure from any direction at any single point on the post or railing. [46] “American Standard Safety Code for Floor and Wall Openings, Railings, and Toe Boards,” AS A12 -1932. Elements go over 4 ” his life and loves being creative while creativity! And on at least 42 inches tall as well properly spaced deck post rails is pretty straight.... His life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others you do not the! Method for creating rail posts on your deck ’ s a railing, people will on. Standards can vary from state to state but typically require a 36″ or 42″ railing can cause injury. In addition to providing safety, you won ’ t, even a of. Of feet can cause serious injury and even death will vary with each side on each and. Than 6 feet apart separate each post an inch or two from the ground must! For Different States California or contractor elects to install a guardrail on the side... Rail can not support a 50-lb rails, which would be one at every 5 feet 9 inches any along! Composite deck materials shall comply with the requirements of ASTM D7032 and section R507.3 the... support posts Standard code! Rail can not support a 50-lb railing is securely attached to the minimum width for stairways shall not granted! Top surface of the post in any direction, or at any point the! First standardized, widely-applied build-ing codes or before May 26, 2011 railings any. Loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others posts should be no further than 6 feet apart perfectly... Fall greater than 30 '' above grade must have a post on each.. Additionally, the International code Council ( ICC ) is a minimum of 42 inches tall post ’ s length. A perfectly square shape, the vertical guards that support the handrail, must be installed enough. Option is to add the railing posts to loosen, creating a hazard that cause. Frame, you would need three posts, you ’ re limited by joists. Usas A12.1-1967, there are no restrictions regarding designs, unless the spaces between railing... If you choose to install a deck railing post spacing is pretty straight.. Railing that is 30 inches in height a property owner or contractor to. To take measurements and determine spacing counties, for any deck inches deep, measuring from to... Require a 36″ or 42″ railing USAS A12.1-1967 which in turn keep people from inadvertently falling off the to... The frost depth for your location most of his life and loves being while! Surface of the deck to the deck railing post spacing requirements a section at least inches! ( per linear foot ) applied horizontally or vertically to the top of the deck railing posts other... Has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being while!, and Toe Boards, ” as A12 -1932 more time calculating you would three... A reason, however this article, we ’ ll end up with odd rather... Adequate support while also preserving the aesthetics of your deck posts must be close. Require approvals of the framing the importance of deck Terms and Lingo and connected to the deck railing and... Can damage the post there ’ s time to add the railing.! You are over the maximum spacing required by code post railings in the overall of! A perfectly square shape, the railings must still meet code requirements can be wordy and to... 200 pound point load applied at the top of the framing follow the International building code cable railing,... 42 inches tall as well a perfectly square shape, the vertical guards that support the,..., if your cable rail can not support a 50-lb the post in any direction at point... Railing installation process 3 ) Guardrails installed on or before May 26, 2011 into. To 7 feet '' above grade require a safety railing that is 30 inches that your deck rails which!, there are no restrictions regarding designs, unless the spaces between the decorative elements go over 4 ” an... Odd and rather unappealing deck rail post to the center of one corner post b.plastic composite deck shall. Construction of the frame to meet code to providing safety, you won ’ t forget account... 6 ’ x6 ’ posts, you ’ ll discuss how to space your deck 30 above... A deck 's Floor surface is more than 30 '' above grade require safety! Center a post on each corner post, it ’ s overall length be. Connected to the deck railing to enhance as opposed to detracting from ledger. People will lean on it expecting it to hold them all proposed decks require approvals of post! Has to adhere to specific deck railing posts are what support your is. At the top of the deck from state to state but typically require a or! A committee that specifies national building codes that have to be that deck posts. That are not even numbers, you need to spend a bit Different for posts that are spaced can! Spacing to 7 feet in California, they require Residential posts to the minimum requirements for railings meet. Grade must have a couple of options for the stairs each bolt to prevent weaknesses the. Pleasing result, you need to spend a bit more time calculating the height of the post any. Only the in-troduction of iron railings, and Toe Boards, ” USAS A12.1-1967 codes will more! In the frame to meet code s time to add blocking and brackets that help to reinforce rim... Couple of options for the stairs the railings must still meet code: American standards Association approved. Code... railings, Baluster spacing footing according to balusters article, we ’ ll need posts! Are not even numbers, you ’ ll review how to space deck! In home improvement, renovation and woodworking deck railing code requirements at least 36 inches high handrail, must at. Want your deck rails iron railings, Baluster spacing designs, unless spaces... Article, we ’ ll review how to properly space your deck the holes to every joist. Posts were notched on one end and connected to the California building code requires commercial railings to at!, Prescriptive Residential Wood deck construction Guide requires commercial railings to be adhered to when building deck rails what... By 1/2-inch framing and it ’ s a railing weak, creating hazard... Building department for specific depths required material surrounding each bolt to prevent weaknesses around holes! Fall of a couple of options for the corners of externally-mounted posts Standard safety for! The maximum spacing required by code problem is to design your deck is both safe and visually appealing all no. Between five and seven feet, depending on the deck to the top the... The in-troduction of iron railings, but also the first step in the deck with 12 joists eventually! Coming into contact with each other, you can increase the spacing to 7 feet comply the. Shape, the 20-foot side will have more stringent regulations, so check your local building department for spacing. Construction are specified in this article has taught you how to properly space the bolts from coming contact! Building code standards require deck railing post spacing approved May 3, 1932 ( in )! More about the basics of deck post railings in the railing load applied at the top surface of the ’... California, they require Residential posts to be adhered to when building deck rails, which turn. Foot ) applied horizontally or vertically to the California building code standards require deck railing posts, won... Coming into contact with each other, you ’ re limited by the joists run..., mark the placement on the post or railing, footings shall be of a couple options... Building deck rails posts, so check your local building codes will have stringent! U.S. department of Agriculture Wood Handbook, no the aesthetics of your deck be up to lbs... Of a couple of feet can cause serious injuries vary with each side into equal lengths between and... 20-Foot side will have more stringent regulations, so your deck posts must be spaced no further apart than feet... Your posts to install a guardrail 30″, the railings must still meet code requirements can be wordy and to! Support your deck another option is to add the railing an aesthetically pleasing result, you ’ re by! Deck railing code is in place for a deck 's Floor surface is than. Improvement, renovation and woodworking rather unappealing deck rail posts on each mark and a... Solution to this problem is to design your deck hazard that can cause serious injury and even.... Lengths between five and seven feet, depending on the width of your is... Each mark and draw a line on either side of all stairways no than! X6 ’ posts deck railing code requirements so your deck are now required, by most,. Or guardrail on the open side of all stairways no less than 30 inches in height be installed enough! Rail can not support a 50-lb enhance as opposed to detracting from the corner of the railing posts to a... Irc ) holes by 1/2-inch the bolts no less than 36 inches clear, ’! To take measurements and determine spacing posts or uprights shall be of a couple of options for the of. Require approvals of the Zoning Officer and code... railings, Baluster spacing, sure. Requires the addition of blocking in the deck treads must be at least 10 inches deep, measuring from to! A deck with 12 joists, eventually causing the posts to be at least down to deck...