Loose stair newell, resist 250LB load on any direction

[RICHARD TAN]

Loose stair newell, resist 250lb load on any direction?

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Hi Richard,

Yes (mostly 'yes' I should clarify), because the newel post supports the end of the top of the guard, and the guard is required to resist a load of 200 pounds (not 250 pounds) as "a single concentrated load applied in any direction at any point along the top", with the newel post being the end of the top rail.

From the Florida Building Code - Residential, with 2006 Revisions. (bold and red text are mine for highlighting)
- Table R301.5
- - Minimum Uniformly Distributed Live Loads
- - - (in pounds per square foot)
- - - - Guardrails and handrails d .......... 200 (pounds live load from heading)
- - - - - d. A single concentrated load applied in any direction at any point along the top.

Codeman

[RICHARD TAN]

Hi Jerry,

How can I test the newell for 200lb load in any direction. I have move the newell with my hand and it was loose. The builder told me to prove that the newell did not meet the requirement.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]