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outside deck stair handrails to latest code

to latest code deck stair handrail outside

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#1 randolph cohn

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Posted 07 November 2015 - 05:12 PM

got some revisions to an existing deck which i didn't design.

this deck was designs years ago before the latest code including the stairs and handrails

 

none-the-less the outside plan checker, who's located 700 miles south of the city where the project is

has one of many revisions that says we have to add an outside stair "handrail" to the existing stair handrail that shows it

to the most recent code.

 

code states:

handrails (section R311.7.7)

a)     the handgrip portion of all handrails shall be not less than 1-1/4 inches nor more than 2 inches

in cross-sectional dimension.

see section R311.7.8.3

 

see section / detail of existing deck & railing (note: same railing at outside deck stairs)

 

what i'd like to see from softplan users is how they'd handle or have handled in similar situations on existing railings

"WITHOUT" taking anything off the existing handrail if possible but of course you can ADD a new handrail to

this existing one.

or

how they'd handle it to make it code by removing and than adding a new handrail.

 

left click to enlarge​

[attachment=1208:deck railing existing.JPG

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  • deck railing existing.JPG

randy

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#2 Sam Morgan

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Posted 07 November 2015 - 11:27 PM

Randy...not sure this will help but I find it kind of funny how a similar situation was fixed.  One of my structural engineers owns a small office building that they built maybe 15 years ago.  (His brother is a builder)   None of them were aware (I wasn't either) that the code for guard rail height on interior stairs is different for commercial than residential....so they put in a typical residential style/height oak guard rail to their basement.  They found out the hard way at their final inspection that it wasn't up to code so rather than ripping out a rail and replacing everything....they drilled a series of holes in the top of the rail (typical breadloaf style)...maybe every 24 inches....put in dowels that were a few inches high...then put a new rail on top to raise to the correct height.  I'll see if I can get him to email me a picture of how the rail looks today.  Of course, I tease him about it nearly every time I go into his office!!!!

 

Sam



#3 Keith Almond

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Posted 08 November 2015 - 09:18 AM

Assuming the heights are okay, I'd fix handrail brackets to the existing staircase railing system, and add a 1½"Ø railing inside that - or alternately, mount the same 1½"Ø railing exactly as Sam described above. I don't see any problem with it being too high .... 


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#4 Mike Downing

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Posted 08 November 2015 - 09:30 AM

  • Randy,

i'm a little confused here. you're showing a guardrail in your drawing but I'm assuming you mean a stair rail. At any rate. The easiest way. I've found is to attach a handrail to the existing, using exterior glue and screws as shown. Or as shown on the right.

 

HANDRAIL.jpg


Mike Downing

 


#5 PAUL LADNER

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Posted 30 November 2015 - 01:40 PM

The only thing I would add to what's already been said is noting the hand rail height requirements and returns at both ends.

 

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  • Rail Temp.jpg





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