05/23/12 Georgia Amendments- Prescriptive Deck Details Sheet 14 of 22
FREE-STANDING DECKS
Decks which are free-standing do not utilize the exterior wall of the existing house to support vertical
loads. Instead, an additional beam with posts is provided at or offset from the existing house; see
FIGURE 4. When the edge of the deck footings are closer than 5'-0" to an existing exterior house wall, it
must bear at the same elevation as the existing house footings, see FIGURE 25 below. Beam size is
determined by TABLE 2.
joist overhang
2x blocking
joists
rim
joist
beam,
posts
existing house
foundation wall
< 5'-0", footings must be
at same elevation as
existing house footing
diagional
bracing
FIGURE 25: FREE-STANDING DECK
GUARDS
Guards, whether required or not, shall be constructed in accordance
with the requirements on the proceeding pages and figures.
Deviations are prohibited.
When Required
When a deck is greater than 30" above grade at a point 36" from the
edge of the deck, as shown in FIGURE 26, a guard is required.
Wood-Plastic Composites
Wood-plastic composites of the same dimensions and complying with
the criteria noted on Sheet 3 may be substituted for the guard rail-
cap and infill elements shown in FIGURE 27 provided the
manufacturer’s performance criteria specifically allow it.
FIGURE 26: WHEN A
GUARD IS REQUIRED
Guard Systems
Pre-fabricated systems composed of wood, wood-plastic composites or plastic purchased from a home
center store, lumber company or similar will require a plan submission during the permit application
process. Only guard systems with a valid evaluation report from an accredited listing agency will be
approved for installation.
36"
>30"
deck floor
elevation
grade elevation point
edge of deck
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