Right now I have them at 11" apart but I heard they have to be no more than 6". I live in Texas, does anyone know how to find out the building code, if any, for this?
2006-10-25 05:43:46 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Most cities now post their codes on line. Call your city and ask for either a copy of the code or the website to access what the requirement is in your city. In mine, they can be no further than 4 inches apart whether in an interior or exterior application.
2006-10-25 06:50:11 · answer #1 · answered by eskie lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The combination of both Texas mans & Scotts answer are best and usually the "standard"
(1) 4" max. spacing between spindles and or pickets...
(2) 36" min. handrail height about areas, with up to 24" differential in elevation, these may or may not be required at all, and be placed for asthetic reasons only...
(3) 42" min. handrail height about areas, with greater then 24" differential in elevation are the norm...
(4) the spacing between newel or balastrade posts is not to exceed 60"....albeit the handrail may run over or up to these...
(5) picket spacing and the "sphere" ,that sphere being a childs head and the idea or thought, is to prevent possible injury...
(6) there are all kinds regulations and codes, from the municipal to national level that govern attachment, design and placement of balastrades in general. It is best to confirm with local authorities before proceeding...
(7) I don't like the 42" height thing myself, it seems, the rail is always in the way of vision, when I am sitting. I figure any child, that is bent and has the determination to do a "180", off the rail, even after severe warnings, will merely push the chair over and accomplish the act, the moment I vacate such perch...but that is my opinion, and we know, that like "a**holes", we all have em'
(8) on a further note, I know that the horizontal rail balastrade or fences for that matter, are frowned upon....
(9) I think, I missed, to answer your question, Keep in mind the foregoing, and apply this to stairs, lay a strait edge along stair nosings, extend if you will, this line, parrallel to height not less then 32", this being the top of handrail, as a rule of thumb. handrails are required in elevated areas beyond 24", and are required to oneside of an enclosed staircase only, up to a 42" width of stair tread, both sides beyond that and also to open staircases in most instances...again check with the authorities, I like my handrails a little touch lower, may be the powers to be, want them higher....
2006-10-31 03:05:31 · answer #2 · answered by diSota 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it reads: spacing on vertical pickets, spindles and like shall be spaced so that a 4" sphere shall not pass thru them.....
a handrail is what goes up the stairs and a guard rail is a horizontal rail:
handrail shall be no higher from the toe of the stairs than 32" to 34" tall....
a guard rail shall be no lower than 36" from finished floor......
lic. gen. conractor
2006-11-01 13:12:03 · answer #3 · answered by bigg_dogg44 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u really need to check with ur local building codes.
where i live the pickets or spindles can not be more than 4" apart.the handrail also has to be no less than 3' tall finished.also there needs to be a grabrail if these steps are on a deck outside.just check with the local codes for ur area u will be fine.
2006-10-27 07:26:46 · answer #4 · answered by 'HUMVEE' 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
codes varie from city to city, where i am a 4 inch sphere cannot pass through (no more than 4 inch) and the height of the rail is dependant on height of the ground (42 inches anything over 3 feet I believe)
2006-10-30 16:52:27 · answer #5 · answered by Scott L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ballisters should not be more than 4.5" apart on center. If ballister is an 1.5" then the space should be not more than 3". Don't want little Bubba to get his head stuck in the ballustrade.
2006-11-01 10:48:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it has to be the same spacing as crib rails so a child can not get his/her head stuck.
you can call the town clerk and they will be able to help you with building code.
2006-10-25 05:51:08 · answer #7 · answered by seektheturtle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say no less then 6in. thats about the normal width so Lil Johnny wont get his pumpkin head stuck in it,,
2006-10-29 13:45:31 · answer #8 · answered by Dave 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋