Under the USBC, a contractor is installing a guardrail on a residential deck. What is the minimum required height for the guardrail?
Correct Answer
A) 36 inches
The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code requires guardrails on residential decks to be a minimum of 36 inches in height for safety purposes.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, aligned with IRC Section R312, requires guardrails on residential decks to be at least 36 inches in height. This applies to decks more than 30 inches above grade.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 42 inches
42 inches is the commercial/IBC standard for guardrails in occupancies other than residential. Mixing up residential (IRC) and commercial (IBC) code requirements is a very common exam error.
Option C: 48 inches
48 inches is not a standard guardrail height in either residential or commercial building codes. This is above any current minimum requirement.
Option D: 38 inches
38 inches is not a code-prescribed guardrail height. It may appear to be a compromise between 36 and 42, but no such intermediate value appears in USBC or IRC requirements.
Memory Technique
Residential = 36, Commercial = 42. Think: '3 feet for your home retreat' (36 inches = 3 feet). Residential guardrails stand 3 feet tall.
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