Section 7.225. Floor opening guards

(a) The floor opening at each landing shall be guarded on sides not used for entrance or exit by a standard railing and toeboard or by panels or wire mesh of not less than No. 10 U.S. gage, expanded metal of not less than No. 13 U.S. gage or sheet metal of equivalent strength or metal on a frame of angle iron not less than 1 1/4 inch by 1 1/4 inch by 1/8 inch or of 1 1/4 inch iron pipe.

(b) Such rails or guards shall be at least 42 inches in height on the up-running side and 66 inches on the down-running side. If a guardrail is used the section of the guard above the rail may be of the construction specified in subsection (a), or may consist of vertical metal bars which will reject a ball 6 inches in diameter. Rails or guards shall be located not more than one foot from the edge of the floor opening.