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Guard rails, guardrails, railings or protective guarding, [1] in general, are a boundary feature and may be a means to prevent or deter access to dangerous or off-limits areas while allowing light and visibility in a greater way than a fence.
A guard rail, also known as a safety rail, is a protective barrier or railing system designed to prevent falls and create a secure working environment. A guardrail system generally consists of 4 components: a top rail, mid rail, post and a secure base.
If there is a “drop” of 48 inches or higher, a guardrail is required. The guardrail must be 42 inches in height (+/- 3 inches) above the working/walking surface. A horizontal intermediate rail is required and is placed “about halfway up.”
From guardrail post spacing, railing height, and diameter to installation, we can help break down OSHA's railing requirements and all your questions.
Guardrail Location Requirements: IBC Section 1015.2 mandates the installation of guards along open-sided walking surfaces situated more than 30 inches vertically from the floor or grade below. Exceptions exist for certain locations, such as around docks, raised platforms, or cross aisles in assembly seating situations.
Guidelines for building guardrails on balconies, decks, landings, stair landings: this document provides building code specifications, sketches, photographs, and examples of defects used in inspecting indoor or outdoor guards or guard railings required at stairway landings, porches, decks, walkways, balconies.
This article describes recommended construction practices for deck safety, deck railing requirements, guard railing construction and building codes, and critical safe-construction details for deck and porch rails, guardrails, and exterior stair guard railings and handrails.
