Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Questions on deck around above ground pool

We just put up an 18ftx52in above ground pool in our yard. We conveniently put it close enough to our main deck that we can add on to this deck with a new deck that goes 1/2-way around the pool.

The new deck will need to be one step down from the main deck - also done intentionally.

The new deck will join onto the existing deck along it's 15ft side - again one step down. The existing deck has several access points with no gates from the yard and several doors from the house.

We intend on removing a section of railing on the existing deck to allow for this step down onto the new deck.

Question - the existing deck has 42in high railing. We realize that code in CT requires a 52in high railing. We assume that means we need to replace the entire railing where the decks meet with a 52in high railing - 52in high when standing on the existing deck. Is that correct?

Also - the railing on the new pool deck. We don't think we need to have 52in high railing here - as the new pool deck is several feet in the air already. Is this correct? What if you could step onto the edge of the new deck - let's say 2 feet in the air (in one spot) - and then that railing there - would it need to be 52in? Or is the height of the railing measured from the ground below the deck?

2nd question - do we need cement footing posts that go 42in into the ground where the deck uprights are close to the pool? The pool is sitting on open ground - subject to frost. I'm wondering if the new deck needs to be sitting on above-ground supports. Remember that the new deck is attached to an existing deck that is protected from frost by proper footings.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

szlamany,

The way you worded your question about railing heights is pretty confusing (or I've spent too much time in the sun and smoke taday!) Railing height is measured from the surface of the deck to the top of the top rail. Doesn't matter whether that railing is 6" or 6 stories above grade. It's still measured from the deck surface to the top of the top rail.

ALL of your footings need to be 42" deep to prevent frost heave of the deck. Dig the holes however wide they have to be, fill the bottom 18" with concrete and then sonotube up from there with at least an 8" sonotube to a point several inches above grade. Backfill around the outside of the sonotube with dirt as you fill the inside of it with concrete. Set post or column bases in the top of the wet concrete. Once that has cured for 2 or 3 days, build your deck.

Sorry for not being more clear...

Here's another way to think about what I'm asking - forget about the new desk that's going around the pool being connected to an existing deck...

Let's just say it was a free-standing deck in the middle of my yard - going around an above ground pool. That pool has a pool wall that's 52" above ground - the desk is slightly above that height in the air. Would the railing on a deck such as this still have to be 52" above the deck height? It seems overkill to do this - as the deck is above the height already - and we are not trying to keep kids in - just keep them out. In a situation such as this the only place a 52" height would be required would be at the gate, for instance, that leads to this free-standing deck. Is that correct?

The reason I ask is that I think a 52" railing is just not as attractive - to lean against for instance - put a drink on - stuff like that.

szlamany,

The railing height is measured from the deck surface to the top of the top rail. It can't be made any clearer than that. If your jurisdiction says 52", then it's 52" from the deck surface to the top of the top rail.

"Attractive" has nothing to do with it -- building codes are based on SAFETY.

...building codes are based on SAFETY.Yes - I understand that....

I'm finding reference to "from the ground-up" in some CT building code links - but they also mention building a barrier sufficient enough to stop access - unable to climb, etc.

I guess I'm going for a 52in railing on the deck.

I'm having a hard time even finding balusters for that type of height - how would you typically construct a railing that's 52" high?

szlamany,

The codes that I have to build to say the railing has to be 42" tall, from the deck surface to the top of the top rail., and able to support a 200 load in any direction (somebody leaning on it or sitting on it.) I understand the change last year from 36" to 42"for us last year. A 36" high railing just looked like a seat for the guy who had had a couple too many, even if it was several stories to the ground. At 42", that guy probably won't be jumping up there. 52" just seems like overkill to me, but then, I don't write the codes.

You won't find ballusters to meet the 52" requirement -- that's just a wierd height. You'll have to buy 12' lengths of balusters and cut them out of that