R-3 R-2 Guard Height?

[Francis Vineyard]

Is this interpretation correct?

2006 R-3 and R-2 units, 42” high guards are required along stairs except if it serves as a handrail can be 34” minimum. In 2009 it’s 34” period; in 2012 it’s 36” if 3 stories or less and 34” if 4 stories or more.

2006

1013.2 Height.

Guards shall form a protective barrier not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) high, measured vertically above the leading edge of the tread, adjacent walking surface or adjacent seat board.

Exceptions:

1. For occupancies in Group R-3, and within individual dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2, guards whose top rail also serves as a handrail shall have a height not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm) measured vertically from the leading edge of the stair tread nosing.

2009

1013.2 Height. Required guards shall be not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) high, measured vertically above the adjacent walking surfaces, adjacent fixed seating or the line connecting the leading edges of the treads.

Exceptions:

1. For occupancies in Group R-3, and within individual dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2, guards on the open sides of stairs shall have a height not less than 34 inches (864 mm) measured vertically from a line connecting the leading edges of the treads.

2. For occupancies in Group R-3, and within individual dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2, where the top of the guard also serves as a handrail on the open sides of stairs, the top of the guard shall not be less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm) measured vertically from a line connecting the leading edges of the treads.

2012

1013.3 Height.

Required guards shall not be less than 42 inches (1067 mm) high, measured vertically as follows:

1. From the adjacent walking surfaces;

2. On stairs, from the line connecting the leading edges of the tread nosings; and

3. On ramps, from the ramp surface at the guard.

Exceptions:

1. For occupancies in Group R-3 not more than three stories above grade in height and within individual dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2 not more than three stories above grade in height with separate means of egress, required guards shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height measured vertically above the adjacent walking surfaces or adjacent fixed seating.

2. For occupancies in Group R-3, and within individual dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2, guards on the open sides of stairs shall have a height not less than 34

(confused) Francis

 

[mark handler]

Francis

Are you using the IBC for R-3?

 

[Francis Vineyard]

Yes except Virginia has a R-5 in IBC for 1 & 2 Family Dwelling or otherwise known as IRC

 

[mark handler]

So in VA what is an R3?

 

[Francis Vineyard]

Getting a little off topic but R-3 in IBC limited to number of dwelling units; building itself can still be outside the perimeter for IRC and Virginia does not require IRC to be sprinklered.

What's your take on the different guard heights from 2006 to 2012?

Francis

 

[mark handler]

2012

The minimum required height for guards within R-2 dwelling units not more than 3 stories above grade in height was decreased from 42” to 36” to be consistent with IRC requirements.

 

[Francis Vineyard]

Checked the 2009 Commentary no explanation for the reduced height to 34" in exception 1. Search for errata was nil!

Francis

 

[north star]

&

"The minimum required height for guards within R-2 dwelling unitsnot more than 3 stories above grade in height was deceased from 42” to

36” to be consistent with IRC requirements."

Possibly a Freudian slip... :devil36" sure is low!........IMO, this minimum height requirement is not much an

effective barrier.



&

 

[north star]

&

Francis,

It "may" have to do with the grippable surface for people

shorter in height.

&

 

[Big Mac]

KUDOS to Virginia - I think they have it right - do away with the IRC and put it all in one code book. Of course that would cut in to ICC publishing income. We wouldn't want that, now would we??

 

[Francis Vineyard]

Big Mac it was not my intention to mislead; we do have an IRC book, it seems our IBC has to authorize the IRC by reference. I agree it sure would be nice to have one book. Otherwise I think Virginia does a good job with amendments to the ICC editions and we do have the same certifications that ICC gets no part of.

310.3 Group R-5. The construction of Group R-5 structures shall comply with the IRC. The amendments to the IRC set out in Section 310.6 shall be made to the IRC for its use as part of this code. In addition, all references to Section 101.2 in the IBC relating to the construction of such structures subject to the IRC shall be considered to be references to this section.

Francis