3308.7 Guardrail System

A guardrail system shall be installed and maintained to protect all unenclosed perimeters.

Exceptions: A guardrail system is not required at:

1. The story at grade.

2. Levels where vertical safety netting is installed in accordance with Section 3308.5.

3. Levels where a supported scaffold covers the full width of the unenclosed perimeter, provided the scaffold is decked and flush against the building at such level where the unenclosed perimeter exists, with no gap between the scaffold and the building greater than 3 inches (76 mm), and also provided that the scaffold is provided with netting and guardrails in accordance with Section 3314.8.

Guardrail systems shall include a toprail, midrail, toeboard, and posts.

Toprails, midrails, and toeboards shall be located as follows:

1. The top of the toprail shall be located at a height of 39 to 45 inches (991 and 1143 mm) above the floor.

2. The midrail shall be located at a height approximately midway between the toprail and the floor, or where more than one midrail is utilized, each shall be located equidistant from each other, the floor, and the toprail.

3. The toeboard shall be at least 3¹/₂ inches (89 mm) high and shall be installed so that there is not more than a ¹/₄ inch (6 mm) gap between the floor and the bottom of the toeboard.

Exception: When conditions warrant, the height of the toprail may exceed the 45-inch (1143 mm) height provided additional midrails are installed so that there is no vertical gap larger than 24 inches (610 mm) between any toeboard, midrail, or toprail.

Toprails, midrails, toeboards, and posts shall have the following dimensions and be constructed out of the following materials:

1. Toprails shall, at a minimum, consist of:

1.2. 2 inch by 4 inch (51 mm by 102 mm) 1500 foot pounds per square inch (1.05 kgf/mm²) fiber (stress grade) construction grade lumber;

1.2. 1¹/₂ inch (38 mm) nominal diameter (Schedule 40) pipe;

1.3. 2 inch by 2 inch by ³/₈ inch (51 mm by 51 mm by 10 mm) structural angle; or

1.4. ¹/₄ inch (6 mm) diameter noncorrosive wire cable made of mild plow steel.

2. Midrails shall, at a minimum, consist of:

2.1. 1 inch by 6 inch (25 mm by 152 mm) 1500 foot pounds per square inch (1.2.1. 05 kgf/mm²) fiber (stress grade) construction grade lumber;

2.2. 1¹/₂ inch (38 mm) nominal diameter (schedule 40) pipe;

2.3. 2 inch by 2 inch by ³/₈ inch (51 mm by 51 mm by 10 mm) structural angle; or

2.4. ¹/₄ inch (6 mm) diameter noncorrosive wire cable made of mild plow steel.

3. Toeboards shall, at a minimum, consist of:

3.1. 1 inch by 6 inch (25 mm by 152 mm) lumber; or

3.2. Metal plank at least 3¹/₂ inches (89 mm) high.

4. Toprails, midrails, and toeboards shall be securely fastened to upright posts spaced not more than 8 feet (2438 mm) apart. Such posts shall, at a minimum, consist of:

4.1. 2 inch by 4 inch (51 mm by 102 mm) 1500 foot pounds per square inch (1.05 kgf/mm²) fiber (stress grade) construction grade lumber;

4.2. 1¹/₂ inch (38 mm) nominal diameter (schedule 40) pipe;

4.3. 2 inch by 2 inch by ³/₈ inch (51 mm by 51 mm by 10 mm) structural angle; or

4.4. A building column.

Exceptions:

1. Guardrail systems designed by a registered design professional capable of withstanding, without failure:

1.1. A force of at least 200 pounds (890 n) applied within 2 inches (51 mm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge. Where the force is applied in a downward direction, the top edge shall not deflect more than 6 inches (152 mm) and in no case to a height less than 39 inches (991 mm) above the floor; and

1.2. A load of at least 50 pounds (222 n) applied in any downward or horizontal direction at any point along the toeboard.

2. Posts supporting wire cable toprails and midrails, as well as the toeboards utilized in connection with such wire cable toprails and midrails, may be spaced more than 8 feet (2438 mm) apart provided that the posts are spaced such that where a force of 200 pounds (890 n) is applied in a downward direction along the top edge, the top edge shall not deflect more than 6 inches (152 mm) and in no case to a height less than 39 inches (991 mm) above the floor.

The guardrail system shall be installed so that there exists no horizontal gap larger than 1 inch (25 mm) as measured along the perimeter of the building from the edge of the guardrail system to any building column or façade.

When made of wire cable, toprails and midrails shall be provided with a positive tensioning system, such as a turnbuckle, to keep the cable taut.

Guardrail systems shall be secured to prevent dislodgement by impact or wind.

Guardrail systems may be temporarily removed in the immediate area where active loading or unloading operations are occurring, or where perimeter work is occurring, provided that:

1. A controlled access zone is established to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the area where the guardrail system is removed; and

2. Immediately prior to the removal of the guardrail system the floor is broom swept and cleared of all materials and equipment to a distance of at least 10 feet (3048 mm), in all directions, from the area where the guardrail system will be removed, except for material and equipment related to the loading or unloading operation or perimeter work or stored in accordance with Section 3303.4.5.2.

The guardrail system shall be reinstalled immediately following the end of active loading or unloading operations, or active work, or at the end of the workday, whichever occurs sooner.

Exception: Where material overhangs overnight in accordance with Section 3303.4.5.2.

Guardrail systems installed to protect unenclosed perimeters may be removed where vertical safety netting systems meeting the requirements of Section 3308.5 have been installed.