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Guard & Deck Issues on a Green Building Forum

For our tiny population, we build a lot of decks. Not as many as some of you guys in the large jurisdictions see for sure, but around here, everyone has a deck. I've sold 2 deck permits this morning. We amended out the 200 sf and less than 30" exemptions, so they all get a permit. We charge a flat $30.00 fee. For that you get a footing inspection, a framing inspection, and a final. And as many failed re-inspections as required if you're building it yourself. We did not adopt as code the DCA-6, but - I tell everyone where and how to find it, I explain the things in it that they don't understand, and tell them all that if they build it according to that standard, they'll pass my inspections. May not be the best way and probably won't work everywhere, but I'm pretty confident most decks that get built here won't fall down and hurt anyone. That suits me.
 
Okay Glenn I appreciate that you have found a passion for decks....but here's the deal for us. If the elevation around the deck is less that thirty inches, no permit is required. If greater than thirty inches you not only get a permit but you also get an engineer. I submit that a seperate deck code would be superfluous.……… Now fatboy is wondering what superhero involves flowers.
Not questioning or challenging, looking for education here. Are you saying that your jurisdiction has a policy that requires engineering for any permitted deck, or that your department has determined that CA code requires engineering for a deck?

R507 Exterior Decks
R507.1 Decks. Wood-framed decks shall be in accordance with this section. For decks using materials and conditions not prescribed in this section, refer to R301.

R301.1.3 Engineered design. Where a building of otherwise conventional construction contains structural elements exceeding the limits...shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice.

My understanding is that you can use the prescriptive elements of the residential code without an engineer. Once it goes beyond prescriptive it requires engineering. Am I missing something? Thanks.
 
Not questioning or challenging, looking for education here. Are you saying that your jurisdiction has a policy that requires engineering for any permitted deck, or that your department has determined that CA code requires engineering for a deck?

R507 Exterior Decks
R507.1 Decks. Wood-framed decks shall be in accordance with this section. For decks using materials and conditions not prescribed in this section, refer to R301.

R301.1.3 Engineered design. Where a building of otherwise conventional construction contains structural elements exceeding the limits...shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice.

My understanding is that you can use the prescriptive elements of the residential code without an engineer. Once it goes beyond prescriptive it requires engineering. Am I missing something? Thanks.
Center bearing beam (both sides)....Not that we engineer decks though...
 
What is shown is not defined as a balcony:

Balcony, external extension of an upper floor of a building, enclosed up to a height of about three feet by a solid or pierced screen, by balusters, or by railings.
a platform enclosed by a wall or balustrade on the outside of a building, with access from an upper-floor window or door.

Balcony:
A platform that projects from the wall of a building and is surrounded by a railing, balustrade, or parapet.


If it has piers or columns supporting it on the ground, it is not a balcony.

It is not required BUT, if provided should meet the codes

IRC

R301.5 Live Load
Guards and handrails 200 pounds per square foot LIVE LOAD

The minimum uniformly distributed live load shall be as provided in Table R301.5.
Balconies (exterior) and decks 60 pounds per square foot LIVE LOAD
See Section R507.1 for decks attached to exterior walls.

R311.5 Landing, Deck, Balcony and Stair Construction and Attachment
Exterior landings, decks, balconies, stairs and similar facilities shall be positively anchored to the primary structure to resist both vertical and lateral forces or shall be designed to be self-supporting. Attachment shall not be accomplished by use of toenails or nails subject to withdrawal.

Section R507 Exterior Decks
FIGURE R507.9.2(2)
DECK ATTACHMENT FOR LATERAL LOADS
 
A few things to note.

The first prescriptive codes for deck came into the IRC in 2015, but were incomplete. They are still incomplete in the 2021 IRC. The IRC mandates various loads to be resisted. It also defines some precisely (live, snow, wind) that must be resisted. However, the IRC only provides limited prescriptive design codes with limited materials to satisfy the design loads. Where there is not a prescriptive design provided by the code, other designs must be proven as capable to satisfy the loads. For engineering, it's up to state law to defined who can do that. For tested evidence, it's up the building official. This can be with 3rd party or via IBC Chapter 17 (which is pretty open ended for the BO). Or there are other ways for a BO to approve something, such as the DCA 6 as an alternative, or a future code edition than what's adopted.

So technically speaking, prior to prescriptive deck codes in 2015, every deck had to be engineered or otherwise proven. Of course, they weren't, because we as a culture have had a complacent attitude about decks. That's why so many are failing now. Now that we have prescriptive deck codes, the 2021 IRC method is an option that does not require an engineer. If not adopted yet, it is a great alternative to approve.

However, I mention the IRC is still complete. This is because lateral loads are not addressed. Yes, we have anchors, but they are just smoke in mirrors. They are like having hold down anchors on a braced wall with no sheathing. And you don't know the W/H ratio of the wall or the loads. If we defined the loads, decks still don't have walls for lateral bracing and we don't have a defined live lateral load or a prescriptive method. (there's been research for a lateral LL, another story)

The taller the deck, the greater the affect of lateral loads. This is fair justification to require an engineered design for lateral load resistance (only), though the other portions should still be able to be done prescriptively. Good luck finding that engineer to do lateral only.

So, while I am happy with the 2021 IRC deck codes, I know they still need a lot of work.
 
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