A contractor is building a deck that will be 30 inches above grade. According to Oregon building codes, what is the minimum height requirement for guardrails?
Correct Answer
C) 36 inches
Oregon building codes require guardrails to be a minimum of 36 inches high for residential decks 30 inches or more above grade.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Oregon's residential building code (aligned with the IRC) requires guardrails on decks that are 30 inches or more above grade. The minimum guardrail height for residential structures is 36 inches. This height is specifically for residential use; commercial and higher-elevation structures may require 42 inches.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: No guardrails required at this height
No guardrails required at this height is incorrect. The 30-inch threshold is precisely the point at which guardrails become mandatory under Oregon code. A deck at exactly 30 inches above grade triggers the guardrail requirement.
Option B: 42 inches
42 inches is incorrect for residential decks. The 42-inch height applies to commercial occupancies and guards on the open sides of stairs in some contexts, but residential deck guardrails require a minimum of 36 inches.
Option D: 48 inches
48 inches is not a standard guardrail height specified in Oregon residential building code. This figure does not correspond to any IRC or Oregon-specific residential deck guardrail requirement.
Memory Technique
A standard interior door is roughly 80 inches tall. A 36-inch guardrail is just under half that—about waist-high on an average adult. Picture a waist-high fence around a residential deck.
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