Handrails or guards too low

Exterior · Porches, Decks and Balconies · printed page 331 (PDF page 332)

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Book index entries

Exterior – too Low Handrail – or Guards too Low Stair – Handrail or Guard too Low

Text in the illustration

42"
balcony or deck more than 6' above grade (Canada)
36"
typical handrail height (H) is between 34" and 38" (31" - 38" in Canada)
H
line through nosing

Generated explanation

The illustration shows an exterior stair and deck beside a brick wall, with a separate elevated balcony or deck guard above. The stair handrail height H is measured vertically from the line through the stair nosings to the sloping handrail. An annotation gives a typical handrail height of 34 to 38 inches, with 31 to 38 inches stated for Canada. The lower deck guard is labeled 36 inches, while the upper guard is dimensioned 42 inches for a balcony or deck more than 6 feet above grade in Canada. Although the title identifies insufficient railing height as the inspection concern, the drawing presents height references rather than explicitly dimensioning an undersized railing.

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