Deck guard height and the stair-rake sphere rules
Level guards are 36″ minimum; on stairs a 34–38″ rail follows the nosings. Max sphere: 4″ level, 4⅜″ on the rake, 6″ at the tread/riser triangle.
What this diagram shows
A side elevation of a deck edge running into stairs. On the level deck the guard is at least 36 inches tall, measured from the walking surface to the top rail, and blocks a 4-inch sphere. Along the stairs a rail follows the nosings 34 to 38 inches above them, the openings block a 4⅜-inch sphere, and a 6-inch sphere must not pass through the triangle formed by the tread, riser and bottom rail.
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