Finger Lakes Building Officials, Inc.

An Affiliated Member of the New York State Building Officials Conference

June 5, 2003

RE: Vinyl handrail and guardrail
RCNYS Tbl R301.4

This is in response to your question regarding the requirements applicable to vinyl handrail and guardrail for buildings regulated by the Residential Code of New York State (RCNYS). You have asked four questions as follows:

1. Does a guardrail necessitate a BOCA number to meet the 200 lbs residential code requirement?
2. Does a certified test result, revealing that a particular guardrail meets or exceeds the 200 lbs test, be acceptable for the same residential code requirement?
3. Is there any point at which a 2.5 safety factor is required and or included into this 200 lbs. requirement to meet the residential code?
4. Are there any differences in the code requirements when wood, composite, vinyl or glass makes up the guardrail?

As you stated, RCNYS Table R301.4, Minimum uniformly distributed live loads (in lbs./sq.ft.), requires a minimum of 200 lbs live load, with footnote d requiring a single concentrated load applied in any direction at any point along the top. There is no additional safety factor. Test results or an ICC Evaluation Service Report would be acceptable.

RCNYS Section R308, Glazing, subsection 4, item 8, classifies all glazing in railings regardless of an area or height above a walking surface as a hazardous location. Also, included are structural baluster panels and nonstructural in-fill panels, is a hazardous location and section R308.3 requires safety glazing. Glazing in hazardous locations shall comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission publication CPSC 16 CFR , Part 1201, Safety Standard for Architectural Glazing criteria for Category I or Category II, per section R308.3.

This advisory opinion is rendered based upon the information provided. Administration and enforcement of the code are within the jurisdiction of the local authority. If you have questions regarding this advisory, please call me at (518) 474-4073.

Sincerely,
Cheryl A. Fischer, P.E.
Assistant Director for Code Interpretation
Codes Division
Al03-118

Finger Lakes Building Officials Association, Inc.
3100 Atlantic Ave.
Penfield, NY 14526
info@flboa.com