Guards

Building Code Requirements for Guards and Safety Barriers

The building code mandates that stairs and floor openings require a guard or safety barrier to prevent falls and injuries.

International building code and most local building codes require 36” (or 900 mm) guard height from a walking surface. Local codes may be different. For example California building code requires 42” gallery guard height, Ontario building code requires 42” high guards for outdoor guards with elevations over 5’11”.

A floating stair outfitted with a frameless glass guard offers most openness and transparency.

If glass is not a desired material, guard may be made of metal rods.

Sidled stair design may prefer Opaque guards.