Build a section of railing similar to a deck railing and screw it to the house. Some jurisdictions might allow an osha rated safety rail, but I'd check with your inspector.

Assuming the exit isn't required for egress (ie. fire safety), you can block it off as mentioned above.

You'll need some sort of a rail, but also, if the deck is part of your permit plans, you may need to submit an amendment to remove the deck from the plan set, then submit for a separate permit for the deck itself.

Fire/life safety is the standard for temporary occupancy if allowed.

Unless you're in the back woods somewhere they are going to want permanent rails if you open the door.

You could probably pass if you install a sheet of 3/4" plywood across the opening on the inside, maybe with some 2x4 braces if the inspector is a nuisance. You'd have to have the screw holes puttied and painted after it's removed later, but it's a lot cheaper than a code-compliant rail. If I'm reading code right, the plywood would only need to be 24" tall.

You're not reading code right.....

24" tall would be a tripping hazard. I'd rather accidentally step out of an open doorway and drop 10 feet than trip over that 2 foot 'railing' and fall head first 10 feet.

Talk to your AHJ about extending the permit until the deck is fully built.

Upgrade the caution tape to "you're about to die" tape.

Any unusual question about inspection requirements should be directed to the inspector. That's the only opinion that matters.

ksc, I am reading code correctly. You can have a window on a second floor with a sill at 24". See below from IRC.

I'm not a code-whiz, but to me that just says what needs to be done if it's less than 24". It doesn't say what needs to be done if it's 24" or above. Maybe some other code applies?

Common sense just dictates to me that you need something more than 2 feet of wall and then it can be wide open for you to fall through.

This its not a normal design condition and it represents, I assume, occupancy before the work of the permit is completed so it will be the inspector's call regardless of the requirements of the building code. Why guess when you can just ask?

IRC code would require that you have a guardrail over the opening. It must be at least 36" tall, the railing openings spaced no larger than 4 in apart, and must be rated to withhold 50lbs per sq foot. So exactly what was posted in the first post of the thread.

If this is not a required exit door and a sliding patio door, we would allow a block of wood screwed into the top track that prevents the door from opening more than 4”.
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