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Also, handrails shall be continuously graspable along their entire length.
#Alabama stair rail code code#
The Ontario Building Code states that a stairway shall have a handrail on at least one side, and if 1 100 mm or more in width, shall have handrails on both sides (43″). This deficiency is most often found at stairs to basements where the home owner has either removed the handrail or modified it. First and foremost, however, responsible building owners should ensure that balconies remain safe spaces for residents to enjoy.One the most common deficiencies I encounter as a Home Inspector is missing or improperly installed Stairs and Handrails for Residential Homes. This could eventually lead to the dangerous loosening of the post.īuilding managers and owners should regularly monitor and maintain balcony railings in order to comply with code and FISP (formerly Local Law) requirements, and to delay or prevent expensive restoration repairs. Railing posts that are set in concrete slabs should be monitored to ensure that the sealant is intact if the sealant fails, the grout surrounding the posts is exposed to moisture and will deteriorate. Minor maintenance to address these issues can deter more costly future repairs, and more importantly, prevent unsafe conditions. Building management should regularly monitor the condition of the cables in these types of railing systems.īalcony railings should also be regularly inspected for loose fasteners, peeling paint, and corrosion. However, the cables in the recently popular cable railing systems tend to loosen over time, resulting in greater than 4” openings. Typically, the width of openings in a rigid post railing system does not change. These vertical or horizontal openings should not exceed 4” to prevent small children or animals from falling through the railing system. There are also requirements regarding the openings between the balusters.
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The code also requires that a railing withstand a 50 lbs per foot uniform load this means that if a load of 50 lbs was applied along the entire length of the balcony, there would be little to no deflection in the railing. This means that if a localized or concentrated load of 200 lbs was applied on any location on the railing, little to no deflection would result. According to the NYC Building Code, a railing must withstand a 200-point load (1) in any direction. Additionally, a testing apparatus can be used to apply specified loads along the railing.
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Pull tests can be performed at the railing anchors. There are several ways of testing balcony railings. Building management should be aware of residents applying flooring treatments to their balconies, since this typically decreases the railing heights. Balcony railings below 42” are also considered a SWARMP (Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program) condition in FISP (formerly Local Law 11/98) reports. The Department of Buildings’ minimum code required height for balcony railings is 42” (2), with an allowance of 1”. Building owners should ensure that their balcony railings are regularly monitored and maintained to ensure that they remain safe. Typically found on residential buildings, railings are almost always exposed to heavy winds and freeze-thaw cycles. Balcony railings can be seen all over New York City.