Deck Guards vs. Stair Guards: Why the Height Requirement Differs

A guard along a flat deck surface typically needs to be taller than the guard running alongside the stairs that lead off it, for the same reason a fall from a flat elevated surface is treated as more serious than a stumble on a stair someone is already descending carefully. It's a detail that surprises a lot of DIY deck builders who assume one height applies to the whole structure.

The exact numbers depend on the fall height involved and the jurisdiction, but the pattern — deck guard taller than stair guard — holds broadly across Canadian codes. When in doubt, treat each section of guard separately rather than assuming a single height covers the whole build.