What is the minimum height for guardrails according to residential building codes?

The minimum height for guardrails, as specified by residential building codes, is 36 inches. This measurement is established to ensure safety, preventing falls from elevated surfaces such as decks, porches, or stairs. A guardrail at this height provides adequate protection for most adults, aligning with industry standards and safety regulations.

Choosing a height of 36 inches balances the need for safety with structural considerations, ensuring that the guardrails are neither too low to be ineffective nor excessively high to be cumbersome or non-compliant with ergonomic norms. This standard is commonly adopted across various code authorities and reflects a thorough assessment of safety outcomes based on historical data and design principles in residential construction.