Q I live in a downtown condo with balconies, and my neighbor is worried about the safety of her toddler. She doesn't think the spacing of the vertical metal bars or the empty space under the railing is adequate to keep her toddler from harm. What are the current safety standards?
A If you are asking if the railings meet code, it depends on when the building was approved. The code in force when the building was approved for occupancy is what applies, said Al Olson, Minneapolis' manager of construction services.
According to current Minnesota Building Code, condo balcony railings:
• Must be at least 42 inches high (measured from the balcony floor).
• Have balusters (vertical bars) or ornamental pattern openings that won't allow a 4-inch sphere to pass through -- up to a height of 34 inches.
From a height of 34 inches to 42 inches above the floor, spaces (bars or patterns) cannot allow an 8-inch sphere to pass.
Not the whole story
Code compliance, however, is no substitution for direct supervision. It's the single most effective way to prevent falls. Do not let children play alone on balconies, or fire escapes and high porches.
