How To Construct An Outside Guard Rail?

The article discusses the requirements for deck safety, guard railing construction, and building codes for deck and porch rails. The top of the guardrail must be strong enough to resist a 200 pound point load applied in any direction, and must be 36 inches above the deck walking surface. The article also discusses the importance of building safety railings like a professional, but it is not always possible.

There are four main elements of metal handrails and guardrails that offer customization options. Guidelines for building guardrails on balconies, decks, landings, and stair landings are provided, along with building code specifications, sketches, photographs, and examples of defects used in inspecting indoor or outdoor spaces.

The 2021 IRC’s most notable guard provisions are in section R507.10, Exterior guards, which covers support, posts, plastic composites, and other guards. The basic idea is to line the holes in the posts up with the anchors, pound the posts into place, and tighten them down.

To build a level landing pad for stair stringers, dig out and compact a minimum 4-inch thick gravel base. Use two posts at each corner, held back far enough to line up with the second joist, about 12 to 16 inches.

Pre-assemble the parts by loosely tightening the Allen screws in each fitting and placing three-foot pipes in the center of the railing.