what is the minimum height of a balustrade

Building regulations worldwide typically mandate a minimum balustrade height to safeguard occupants against falls. For commercial and office settings, the minimum height is often set at 42 inches (1 067 mm) above finished floor level, measured from the upper surface of the rail to the floor, to comply with International Building Code (IBC) standards. Residential applications may allow a slightly lower minimum of 36 inches (914 mm). Aluminum railing systems from Archsky are engineered to meet or exceed these thresholds: posts are precision-extruded, rails are structurally tested, and connections are engineered to withstand required live loads. Designers should always confirm local code variations—some jurisdictions require up to 44 inches—before specifying, but with Archsky’s modular balustrade kits, you can quickly adjust post and rail lengths to align with any minimum height requirement without custom fabrication delays.