What are guardrail requirements?

OSHA states that guardrail must reach a height of 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the walking-working surface and withstand a force of 200 pounds at any point in a downward or outward direction. If the railing dips below 39 inches, due to the force, the railing is not OSHA compliant.

At what height is a guardrail required?

Minimum height for guardrailing is 900mm from the walking surface. Distance between guardrails, intermediate rails or toeboards shall not be less than 550mm. Minimum width of walkway must be 600mm. Guardrail is required if the area adjacent to the walking area is 12o or greater.

How high can a wall be without a railing?

The 2012 International Building Code (IBC 2012) generally requires guardrails when the difference in elevation between the upper and lower surfaces is 30 inches or greater.

What are the minimum requirements for guardrail forces?

Guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge.

What are the requirements for a safety railing?

Safety Railing and Guardrail Requirements 1 Fall Protection Railing Requirements. There are many places in a facility or on a rooftop that pose a hazard for workplace injuries and fatalities. 2 OSHA Guardrail Height and Strength. 3 OSHA Handrail Requirements: Guardrail vs Handrail. 4 Considerations Beyond OSHA Guardrail Height.

How tall does a guardrail have to be for OSHA?

OSHA’s guardrail height requirements include a variance of plus or minus 3 inches. Guardrail systems that are not at least 42 inches high can be cited as a technical violation. All guardrail systems must be able to hold at least 200 pounds of pressure pushing out and down on the railing.

When do I need to put a guardrail on my Deck?

According to the code, guardrails are required when there is a difference of 30 in. or greater between two upper and lower surfaces. OSHA requirements for guardrails are quite stringent.

What are the requirements for an IRC guardrail?

Under the IRC, the infill or balusters must resist a concentrated horizontal load of 50 pounds applied to a square foot area. The baluster requirement is easily met with standard fastening techniques, but meeting the IRC guardrail requirement is difficult without adding steel hardware.