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December 9, 2008
Code on Iron Railings?
Hi everyone. I am planning to install new railings going up my stoop steps. My iron guy tells me the posts -- the vertical "spindles" perpendicular to the handrail -- need to be 4 inches apart. But others tell me that that code doesn't apply to single family homes. It's a Landmarked house but the Landmarks Preservation Commission doesn't know the answer either. I've tried to download the DOB code and I am baffled. Can anyone please offer any advice?
Comments
Please clarify: do you have LPC permits for installation? If you have no railings now, and house is landmarked, or district is landmarked, it is unlikely you will be able to install railings unless they existed at time the house was built. Installation without permits is not recommended. See page 25: http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/pubs/workguide.pdf
Posted by: vinca at December 9, 2008 10:53 AM
I am in the process of obtaining LPC permits. We've been going back and forth on proposed designs. But they only care about what is historically accurate, not what is up to code. I want to have their approval AND be up to code.
Thanks.
Posted by: jlo at December 9, 2008 12:08 PM
It's called the 4" ball test. Best to make the spacing e.g., 3 3/4" apart. Rationale is to prevent a small child from getting his or her head caught.
Posted by: an architect in Brooklyn at December 9, 2008 1:22 PM
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