North Carolina Home Inspector Practice Exam

If a sidewalk is 14 inches above grade, what kind of railing is required?

1. A standard railing

2. No railing is required

3. A guardrail

4. A decorative railing

The correct answer is: No railing is required

The requirement for railings on walkways, including sidewalks, is typically determined by local building codes and safety regulations. When a sidewalk is elevated above the surrounding grade, there are often specific height thresholds that dictate whether a railing is necessary. In many jurisdictions, railings are required when a walking surface is elevated more than a certain height, commonly 30 inches above grade. In this case, with the sidewalk being 14 inches above grade, it does not reach the typical height threshold that would necessitate a guardrail or any other type of railing for safety purposes. Consequently, based on common building codes, no railing is required for a sidewalk at this elevation. The absence of a requirement emphasizes the importance of understanding height regulations for safety barriers, ensuring that inspectors are aware of specific local codes that may vary.