Guard and handrail code by location.

In a Part 3 building, the minimum guard height is 1070mm, measured vertically from the surface protected. Reduced heights are permitted in specific locations such as means of egress on the assembly side of seats in assembly occupancies.

Applies toCommercial, institutional, and large residential (Part 3) buildings — common areas, balconies, exterior decks and roofs accessible to the public.

A guard installed within or serving a single dwelling unit may be a minimum of 900mm where the surface protected is not more than 1800mm above the adjacent surface. Where the drop exceeds 1800mm, the 1070mm minimum applies.

Applies toInterior stairs, balconies, and decks within or serving a single dwelling unit (Part 9 housing).

For all Part 9 locations other than within or serving a single dwelling unit — including multi-unit residential common areas — the minimum guard height is 1070mm measured vertically from the surface protected.

Applies toMulti-unit Part 9 buildings, common balconies, exterior stairs serving more than one dwelling unit.

For locations other than open viewing stands, grandstands, stadia, bleachers, arenas and means of egress in those locations, the minimum specified horizontal load applied inward or outward at the minimum required height of every required guard is 0.75 kN/m, or a concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point, whichever governs.

Applies toAll Part 3 and Part 9 guards in general locations.

The minimum specified load applied vertically at the top of every required guard is 1.5 kN/m, and it does not need to be considered to act simultaneously with the horizontal load.

Applies toAll required guards.

Individual elements of guards — including solid panels and pickets — are designed for a concentrated load of 0.5 kN applied over an area of 100mm × 100mm at any point so as to produce the most critical effect.

Applies toPicket, panel, and individual infill elements within a guard.

Within and serving a single dwelling unit, guards resist a horizontal load of 0.5 kN/m or a 1.0 kN concentrated load, whichever governs. In all other Part 9 locations, the horizontal load is 0.75 kN/m or a 1.0 kN concentrated load. The vertical load is 1.5 kN/m in both cases.

Applies toPart 9 guards (housing and small buildings).

Openings through any required guard — including the space between the bottom rail and the surface protected — are sized so that they will not permit the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 100mm. Sub-clause lettering for this rule varies between editions; engineer of record to confirm under current provincial code.

Applies toPicket spacing, cable spacing under load, glass frame gaps, bottom-rail clearance.

Guards required by the Code are designed so that no member, attachment or opening located between 100mm and 900mm above the surface protected facilitates climbing. Sub-clause lettering varies between editions; engineer of record to confirm.

Applies toAll Part 9 guards. The Part 3 equivalent is in NBC §3.4.6.5; engineer of record to confirm applicability per occupancy.

At least one handrail is required on stairs with more than two risers within a single dwelling unit, and on both sides of stairs more than 1100mm wide and serving other than a single dwelling unit. Ramps require at least one handrail.

Applies toPart 9 stairs and ramps. Part 3 requirements are stated in NBC §3.4.6.4 and are generally more stringent.

The height of a handrail on a stair is measured vertically from a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings, and is between 865mm and 965mm. The height of a handrail on a ramp or landing is measured vertically from the surface and is between 865mm and 965mm.

Applies toHandrails on stairs, ramps, and landings in Part 9 buildings. Part 3 cross-references the same height range.

A handrail is continuously graspable along its entire length. A circular cross-section is between 30mm and 43mm in outside diameter; non-circular sections have a graspable cross-section with a perimeter between 100mm and 125mm and a largest cross-sectional dimension not exceeding 45mm.

Applies toAll required handrails on stairs and ramps. Continuous graspability is verified by the engineer of record at each terminus and intermediate landing.