Residential Guardrail 9

[dik]

Does anyone have a typical residential guardrail detail? I'm looking for something with 2x2 @ 5.5" o/c x 42" high pickets with a top 2x6 rail. The pickets are secured to a 2x? trimmer secured to deck joists. Anyone have something similar they might share? Residential stuff is not really my forte.

thanks, Dik

 

[SlideRuleEra]

I'll talk to the client and building inspector tomorrow.

For what it's worth (say, if the client really wants this style), baluster type deck posts has been in use for some time... successfully. The 1971, "Construction Guides for Exposed Wood Decks", published by the U.S. Forest Service shows the concept:

I have had dealings with a few of this type. They have been free standing (no wall connections). As Ron mentioned, the numerous repetitive baluster fasteners with balusters tied together by the railing create a pretty substantial, redundant system. With the railing detail in your sketch, I would be comfortable considering at least 5 balusters sharing a single point lateral load.

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[dik]

Thanks, SRE... good reference if required. I hopefully won't get into a discussion on the deck, except, to provide a bit of a heads up to the client. My only obligation is to certify the screw piles. I've not heard back from the piling contractor.

Dik

 

[dik]

I used a 2x6 cap rail because it's wide enough for a beer... if you cannot place a beer on it... you shouldn't be drinking at such heights...

Dik

 

[Ron]

I used a 2x6 cap rail because it's wide enough for a beer...

Excellent engineering judgment!

 

[Canuck65]

dik,

A bit late to the game, but ... not sure if the NBCC has similar, but in book 2 of the Ontario Building Code, guide SB-7, it has pre-approved, prescriptive details for exactly what you are designing, a cantilever picket residential guard. It covers the materials, connections, spans, etc... and if it is good enough for Ontario, it likely is good enough for other provinces as well.

 

[dik]

in book 2 of the Ontario Building Code, guide SB-7

Can you scan a copy of this and post it? I've got a copy of the Tacboc details filed somewhere... I'll see if there's something similar.

Dik

 

[Shotzie]

@dik See this Link, I believe that's what Canuck65 was referring to.

 

[P205]

I found a scanned copy of SB-7 here:

Link

 

[dik]

Thank you, gentlement...

Dik

 

[Canuck65]

Yes, the links provided by Shotzie and P205 are exactly the document I was referring to. As long as your guard design conforms to the various parameters, this is a good reference. If your deck height is less than 1800 above grade, your guard height can be reduced to 900mm (In Ontario).

 

[dik]

Thanks Canuck65... NBCC has similar 900 provision... I'll stick with the 42", I feel more comfortable.

Dik