Horizontal guards at raised floor areas should prevent the passage of a sphere with what diameter?

Horizontal guards at raised floor areas are designed to enhance safety by preventing objects, including small children, from falling through gaps. According to regulations, these guards should be constructed in such a way that they inhibit the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 4 inches. This specification ensures that sufficiently large objects cannot slip through, while also making it impractical for small children to get through the openings. The choice of 4 inches is a commonly accepted standard in safety codes, which pertains to maintaining a safe environment in commercial and residential settings.