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R-3 Stairs and Decks in California

C

C & A

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2009
Messages
10
Since California (in its wisdom???) did not adopt the IRC, single family residential is governed by the 2007 CBC only. Based on that, it appears that the railing around a 2nd floor deck would have to be 42" high, and stair risers cannot be completely open (has to prevent 4" dia. sphere from passing through) -- correct?
 
"No exception that allows a maximum height of 34" for guardrails for R-3's in Cali?? "

I was going to ask the same thing, only minimum 36" high. I thought CA kinda morphed the 97 UBC requirements for R-3's into the IBC.
 
From the 2007 CBC

1013.2 Height. Guards shall form a protective barrier not lessthan 42 inches (1067 mm) high, measured vertically above the

leading edge of the tread, adjacent walking surface or adjacent

seatboard.

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.

2. The height in assembly seating areas shall be in accordance

with Section 1025.14.
Click to expand...
 
So, that's in relationship to stairs when used as a handrail, same as in the UBC, what about R-3 guards around decks? Can they be a minimum of 36" of is it 42"?
 
Fatboy:

All Guards shall be 42", we went through this before when the UBC had all guards up to 42" for one cycle, in the code cycle that came in about 1979 they were reduced them to 36" in an R-3 exception after much screaming and hollering, now we are back up in this cycle, but will probably go back down in the cycle beginning in 2011 since it is going to be IRC based. But who knows, Housing & Community Development is busy amending the IRC to add in most previous UBC provisions.

 
oh yes.........the ying/yang, zig/zag, in-again/out-again of codes..........gotta love it.

The one thing you can depend on........you can't depend on it.
 
I was hoping the CA version of the 2010 IRC would allow 36", but looks like no such luck. Any breaks for a remodel, if only parts of the guardrail (existing height 36") are being replaced?
 
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