MyFloridaCode.com

 If the building is located in the HVHZ then "Section 1618 High-Velocity Hurricane Zones - Special Load Considerations"would apply.

1618.4 Safeguards.
1618.4.1Open or glazed wall openings; open or glazed sides ofbalconies, landings and other walking surfaces; unenclosed floor androof openings; roofs used for other than services for the building orstructure and any other abrupt differences in level exceeding 30 inches, including yard areas, shall be provided with safeguards notless than 42 inches in height.

1618.4.5 Where a balustrade is used to comply with the requirementsof this paragraph, the maximum clearance between the bottom rail of thebalustrade and the adjacent surface shall not exceed 2 inches.For safeguards on stairs, the 2-inch clearance shall bemeasured from the bottom rail of the balustrade to a line passingthrough the tread nosings.

Don Meyer, Architect
Coral Springs, FL


  -------------- Original message from "Hernacki Engineering" <hecs at bellsouth.net>: --------------


> Hello All,
> A contractor and I have been searching in the 2004 FBC for the maximum
> clearance space between the floor and the bottom rail of a guardrail is
> defined.  We know section 1012 defines all of the other maximum spacing
> requirements.  But we can not find this one.
> In the old days it was called the "Coke Bottle Rule" and was meant to keep
> things from rolling off balcony edges.  I thought the spacing was 1-1/2" off
> of the deck.
> Can some one point me in the right direction?
> 
> T.R. Hernacki P.E.
> 
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