Ontario Building Code (OBC) Stair & Railing Requirements Explained
Safety is the foundational requirement of every staircase and railing installation. In Ontario, residential stair builds must strictly comply with the Ontario Building Code (OBC) to pass municipal building inspections and protect your family.
Key OBC Guardrail & Handrail Rules
1. The 4-Inch (100mm) Baluster Sphere Rule
Spindles, balusters, or glass gaps must never allow a 100mm (4-inch) sphere to pass through. This prevents young children from getting stuck or falling through railings.
2. Guard Height Requirements
Guards inside a home, on stairs and landings, must be at least 900 mm (about 35.5 inches) high. Exterior guards serving a single home must also be at least 900 mm when the deck, porch, or walking surface is not more than 1,800 mm (about 6 feet) above the ground, and at least 1,070 mm (42 inches) above that.
3. Continuous Graspable Handrails
Handrails must provide a continuous, graspable profile from top riser to bottom riser without sharp interruptions.
When you work with Inter Stairs and Railings in Norfolk County, Simcoe, or Woodstock, every installation is engineered to strictly meet or exceed all OBC specifications.
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