---

InspectAPedia ^® Home

STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS & DEFECTS

AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine
ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID

BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE
BOOKSTORE - INTERIORS
BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE
BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE

CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION

DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION

ELDERLY & VETERANS HOME SAFETY

FRAMING DAMAGE, INSPECTION, REPAIR

HOME INSPECTION SAFETY HAZARDS

LIGHTING, EXTERIOR GUIDE
LIGHTING, INTERIOR GUIDE

MOBILE HOME INSPECTIONS

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
NOISE CONTROL for FLOORS

ROT RESISTANT LUMBER

SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS
SAFETY: Elderly & Veterans Home Safety
SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
SOUND CONTROL in buildings
Splits in Structural Wood Beams
STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS

WOOD FLOOR DAMAGE

Handrails: Guide to Stair Handrailing Codes, Construction & Inspection       HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS - Stair handrailing or handrails - specifications & codes & Defects 3 Handrailing safety factor groups: location, graspability, strength Definitions clarify the differences among handrail, stair rail & guardrails When are handrailings required at steps & stairs & other locations? How many steps, what total rise height requires a handrail? Building Code & OSHA hand railing requirements A photo guide to unsafe handrails: how do improper stair railings cause or contribute to stair fall injuries? Stair hand railing safety hazards, photos of defects - non-graspable and other dangerous handrails, railings & banisters; Sketches & profiles of stair handrail design requirements, safe and unsafe railings A Comparison of Building Codes Specifying Hand Railing Requirements  HANDRAILING STRENGTH requirements & testing standards - separate article SNAG HAZARDS on STAIRWAYS - separate article Questions & Answers on building and installing stair railings and guard rails and stair/railing safety & regulations References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Handrails & handrailings for stairs, steps, & other locations: here we give stair rail construction & installation specifications & building code citation for handrailings, i.e. stairway handrails. This article includes photographs, and examples of handrailings & stair & railing safety defects and gives checklists & images used in inspecting indoor or outdoor stair railings or handrails and related conditions for safety and proper construction. Handrail questions are welcomed & replies are provided at the comments box on this page. Our page top photo illustrates a well-designed handrailing and stair guardrail at the CIA in Hyde Park, NY.

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

Handrail Specifications & Defects: requirements for handrailings along stairs & other locations

This article explains and illustrate the requirements for safe, useable hand railings on steps and stairs, both interior and exterior stairways. Handrailings are a critical safety feature on outdoor and indoor stairs, and ramps, as are guardrails along landings, platforms, decks, porches, and similar structures. At left the "handrailing" was filled with running water when we photographed it at el Alhambra in Granada, Spain. This is not a particularly easy rail to grasp if one is falling down the slippery brick stairs. For more details about balusters (vertical spindles in railing construction) see  Balusters & Railing Enclosures for full details of this topic and also see Guards (railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies that are more than 30" above floors or grade). For a complete list of articles on stairs, railings, and ramps, their inspection, trip hazards, and good design, see the articles on specifications for proper dimensions for stairs, railings, platforms our list of Related Topics near the top of this page.   Handrailing safety requirements focus on these factors The handrailing location: including the requirement for handrails along stairs & other locations, handrail height, continuity, accessibility, & freedom from obstructions Handrailing graspability: the handrailing size, total perimeter, shape, and surface characteristics. Handrails or railings are sometimes chosen for their creative or aesthetic appeal such as the handrail shown at above left. Handrailing strength & security of mounting Some of the fall injury cases we've investigated involved a combination of unsafe stairs and a fall that was made worse when the individual who lost their balance tried to grasp an unsafe handrail.

It's easy to be confused about the difference between handrails, stair rails and guardrails and their different uses, codes, and designs. In several building codes including the 2006 IRC Section R202 these terms are defined clearly. We add some comments.

Definition of handrail or hand railing - graspable supports along stairways or ramps

A handrail is a horizontal or sloping rail intended for grasping by the hand for guidance or support. [Green arrow in our photo] The large-diameter top of the stair guardrail (red arrow) would not be graspable by someone losing their balance or beginning a fall. A handrail may be sloping (such as handrails required along stairs) or it may be horizontal (such as along any level walkway if provided) depending on the walking surface along which it is installed. That is, if the railing is intended to be able to be grasped to help protect against a fall, it is called a handrail regardless of where it is installed.

Handrailings or hand rails may be commonly found installed in these locations

• Along stairways
• Along some balconies or walkways above ground and even at ground level
• Along ramps
• At bath and shower entries/exits and around toilets and for other accessibility requirements
• At any location where guidance may be required, such as for buildings occupied by vision impaired or elderly people

Railing Types - A Quick Guide

1. A guardrail is a safety railing or barrier located along a horizontal surface such as a balcony, deck, or porch. Details are at GUARDRAILS on BALCONIES, DECKS, LANDINGS - this article. A guardrail is shown by the red arrows in our photo at left.
2. A stair rail or stair guard is a safety railing or barrier located along the open side(s) of a stairway. Details are at STAIR RAILS, STAIR GUARDS
3. A handrailing or stair railing is installed along one or both sides of an ascending / descending stairway, to provide a safe grasping surface to reduce fall injuries, and where stairways are open, to prevent falls off of the side of the stairs. Details are at HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS - this article.

Detailed definitions of these three terms are at RAILINGS Temporary Handrails & Guardrails: expedient vs. code Temporary handrailings and guardrailings are also regulated in the workplace or jobsite, though not in private residences. Our photo (left) illustrates a makeshift temporary railing that the author (DF) installed using a woodworking clamp and steel piping. There was almost nothing technically correct about this temporary railing though as an expedient device it worked successfully to provide a graspable aid for climbing those three steps that otherwise offered no handrailing whatsoever. OSHA regulates temporary railings and stairs used in the workplace - details are included in our OSHA stair & rail code citations below in this article.

When Are Handrails Required? How many steps, what total rise height requires a handrail?

The final authority on when and where railings are required on steps, stairs, landings, balconies and decks, rests with your local building code official. The building code requirement for stair railings typically requires handrailings on stairs that have a total rise of three feet or more. Certainly the stairway that we observed in La Huerta, Mexico (photo at left) as well as the rooftop deck do not meet current safety standards. Railing spaced from wall: (=> 1.5" ) Railing projection into stairs (<= 4.5") Railing height (=> 31.5" one-side-rail, or =>27" with rails on two sides) [?? review this] Railings: U.S. handrails for stairs with one side against a wall: 30-38" Railings: U.S. handrails at open stairs: 34-38" above the stairs Railings: Canadian stair handrails: 32-36" above the stairs Handrail continuity: handrails should be continuous - that is a hand can slide along the rail without interruption from above the top riser to above the bottom riser; handrails can be interrupted at a newell post

OSHA's & Other Codes' Handrailing requirements

Our photo (left) illustrates a handrail that is indeed "graspable"

OSHA requires:

• Handrails must provide an adequate handhold for employees to grasp to prevent falls.
• Handrails and top rails of the stair rail systems must be able to withstand, without failure, least 200 pounds (890 n) of weight applied within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge in any downward or outward direction, at any point along the top edge.
• Handrails must not be more than 37 inches (94 cm) high nor less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread.
• Temporary handrails must have a minimum clearance of 3 inches (8 cm) between the handrail and walls, stair rail systems and other objects.
• Stairways with four or more risers, or that rise more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height- whichever is less- must have at least one handrail.
• Winding or spiral stairways must have a handrail to prevent use of areas where the tread width is less than 6 inches (15 cm).

CA & OSHA Codes for [Graspable] Handrails Along Stairs & for Stair Rails Along Open Stairways as Guards

Details about handrailing graspability are discussed separately at GRASPABILITY of HANDRAILINGS. Excerpts are below.

Some codes (CA/OSHA Title 8 Section 1626) may cause a little confusion between the definition of handrail (green arrow) and guardrail, by adding a third term, stair rail (red arrow).

A stair rail is basically a guard rail along an open stairway. A stair rail may itself be graspable and serve as a handrailing, or the stair rail might be higher, larger, and not-graspable, as shown in our photo at left. [When these stairs were first constructed, the handrail was not present.]

The following requirements apply to all stairways as indicated:

1926.1052(c)(1) Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped with:

(A) At least one handrail; and

(B) A stair rail consisting of a top rail and mid-rail along each unprotected side or edge.

This separation of handrail from stair rail appears intended to permit the construction of the equivalent of a "guardrailing" along open stairways and consisting of not just the horizontal members described in (B) above.

But along an open stairway there will also be a requirement for vertical balusters or other means of enclosing the open or unprotected side or edge. Here "unprotected" side or edge means an "open" stairway - that is, stairs that do not run along an enclosing building wall.

Handrailing Specifications from CA/OSHA Title 8 Section 1626

My photo (left) shows the difficulty of making use of a too-low handrailing when descending a stairway.

Continuing from CA/OSHA Title 8 Section 1626 [paragraph (1) is given and discussed above]:

1926.1052(c)(2) Winding and spiral stairways shall be equipped with a handrail offset sufficiently to prevent walking on those portions of the stairways where the tread width is less than 6 inches (15 cm).

1926.1052(c)(3) The height of stair rails shall be not less than 34 inches nor more than 38 inches from the upper surface of the stair rail to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.

1926.1052(c)(4) Mid-rails shall be located at a height midway between the top edge of the stair rail and the stairway steps.

(A) Screens, mesh, or other material, when used in lieu of mid-rails, shall extend from the top rail to the stairway step, and along the entire opening between top rail supports.

(B) Other structural members, when used, shall be installed such that there are no openings in the stair rail that are more than 18 inches (46 cm) wide.

1926.1052(c)(5) Handrails and the top rails of stair rails shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 n) applied within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge, in any downward or outward direction, at any point along the top edge.

1926.1052(c)(6) The height of handrails shall be not less than 34 inches nor more than 38 inches from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.

1926.1052(c)(7) When the top edge of a stair rail also serves as a handrail, the height of the top edge shall be not less than 34 inches nor more than 38 inches from the upper surface of the stair rail to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.

1926.1052(c)(8) Stair rails and handrails shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury to employees from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing.

1926.1052(c)(9) Handrails shall provide an adequate handhold. [This means that handrails must be graspable.]

1926.1052(c)(10) The ends of stair rails, handrails and mid-rails shall be constructed so as not to constitute a projection hazard.

1926.1052(c)(11) Handrails that will not be a permanent part of the structure being built shall have a minimum clearance of 3 inches (8 cm] between the handrail and walls, stairrail systems, and other objects.

Unsafe or Non-Functional Handrails & Stair Railings Contribute to to Stair Falls & Injuries

Don't Underestimate the Importance of Railings on Stairs

Opinion: Daniel Friedman. The following opinions derive the author's experience in building stairs, inspecting stairs in and at buildings, in researching stair construction practices & building codes, and in the occasional assistance in the investigation of stair falls.

While it is readily apparent that a loose, broken, or defective guardrail on a deck, balcony, or landing can contribute to or even cause a bad fall, we sometimes find that the role of the stair handrail in stair fall injuries is underestimated or missed entirely by people investigating such accidents.

The proper construction and physical condition of the handrailing at any stairway should be an important part of the investigation conducted to understand the cause & extent of stair falls and fall-related injuries.

At left our photo shows a stair handrailing that is functional and graspable. But what if the railing is one that is improperly located, secured, sized or shaped?

Because a defective stairway handrailing denies the stair user an opportunity to arrest or reduce the extent of a fall, non-functional handrailings are a significant contributor to the both the occurrence of the fall down stairs and the severity of the fall.

A stair fall can be initiated by many conditions or events, some related to the condition of a tread or walking surface (slippery, uneven, sloped, loose, gaps, knots, rot, breakaways, bad lighting) but also to other more independent causes (person is running and missteps, person trips over own shoelace).

But as a general rule, when a stair fall occurs the existence of the railing and its condition take on a very important role in stopping the fall or reducing its extent.

In that circumstance, an improper or unsafe railing is in one sense, worse than had there been no handrailing present at all, since in the latter case a stair user will have observed that there was no railing and may have been inclined to move more slowly and with greater care without that security, just as we are not inclined to step to the very edge of a tall balcony if no railings are installed on its perimeter.

Our photo at left illustrates a stair railing that is much to large to be securely grasped. It might help to steady someone walking up or down the stairs as one can place a hand on the railing. But in a fall this railing is worthless. Our friend Asta S., visiting el Nigromante Art and Cultural Center in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is illustrating the extent of this oversized stair rail - just compare the size of her hand to the railing size.

A person using stairs often does not think at all about railings and may not even touch them - until a fall begins. At that moment there is an instinct to "grab on" to something to try to arrest the fall or at least to reduce its severity.

At the start of a fall up or down stairs, people will drop packages or even throw them into the air in the process of trying by instinct to grab onto a railing. The reach for a secure hand-hold in in such moments is rapid and the opportunity to obtain a secure grasp to stop a stair fall is brief, giving import to the term readily graspable handrails.

Profiles & Dimensions of Graspable vs Non-Graspable Handrailings

Details of handrail graspability are at GRASPABILITY of HANDRAILINGS; excerpts are just below.

If the horizontal profile of a stairway handrailing is too fat (we give an example below, thumb grooves help but don't eliminate the hazard - for oversized stair rails simply can't be grasped securely.

These two sketches (above and below) are found in the California Building Code for stairs and railings [37].

Type II Residential Handrails - for perimeter larger than 6 1/4"

Some (not all) codes allow handrails that have an overall perimeter greater than 6 1/4", most commonly to permit use of 2x lumber to construct handrails. However in these larger sizes, the handrail must have a thumb and finger groove; Some older codes may permit the 2x6 handrail profile at far left in the illustration below, but as of 2009 the handrail needs a groove on both sides. The intent of the finger and thumb groove is to provide equivalent graspability as might be obtained on a round 2-inch handrail. (The 2-inch handrail is allowed by all U.S. building codes.)

Watch out: No model building code and no other building code that we have surveyed permitted 2x6 or even 2x4 handrailings installed "on the flat" as a safe graspable stair handrail system. The two sketches here illustrate graspable (and X'd out non-graspable) handrailing profiles.

Photo Examples of Graspable and Stairway Handrailings

Below our photographs illustrate a properly designed & installed graspable stair railing or handrail. At below right, a photograph taken from the under-side of the handrail shows that when the railing is of a proper dimension and profile the hand can make a secure grasp with thumb and fingers.

The photographs below illustrate a non-graspable 2x6 wooden handrailing. At below left, the thumb is pressed against the vertical side of a 2x6, relying on friction alone for security - there is no mechanically-locking grasp of this railing - it is unsafe. Railings of this design are not approved by any of the model building codes.

At below right on the same railing design you can see that the four fingers of the hand also must rely on friction alone, as there is no groove that might give a mechanical purchase, and certainly the wood rail is far too large to be grasped around by the hand.

The stair railing below is attractive but like the full-scale 2x6 railing above the rail below is still hard to grasp, even with thumb and finger grooves because it is just too wide. An adult's hand can hold on with thumb and fingertips but a child could not grasp this rail and perhaps not an elderly person and probably no one at the onset of a fall.

Above we show photographs of two more non-graspable handrails that are unsafe: at left at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and at right demonstrated by Asta in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The "stair rail" at right is not just too big, it's

A Comparison of Building Codes Specifying Hand Railing Requirements         

Sample excerpts of sources which a building code compliance inspector would be expected to cite in support of requiring a properly-designed, properly-secured guard rail include but are not limited to the citations below.

Our photo (left) indicates mid-stairway activities that could require secure handrails at a Tango dance hall in Buenos Aires.

International Building Code 2000 (BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI) Handrail Rules

1003.3.3.11.3 Handrail grasp ability. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of at least 1.25 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm) or shall provide equivalent grasp ability. If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of at least 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 6.25 inches (159 mm) with a maximum cross-section dimension of 2.25 inches (57 mm). Edges shall have a minimum radius of 0.125 inch (3.2 mm).

100333.11.4 Continuity. Handrail-gripping surfaces shall be continuous, without interruption by newel posts or other obstructions.

1607.7 Loads on Handrails, guards, grab bars and vehicle barriers

1607.7.1.1 Concentrated Load. Handrail assemblies and guards shall be able to resist a single concentrated load of 200 pounds (0.89kN), applied in any direction at any point along the top, and have attachment devices and supporting structure to transfer this loading to appropriate structural elements of the building.

1607.7.1.2 Components. Intermediate rails (all those except the handrail), balusters and panel fillers shall be designed to withstand a horizontally applied normal load of 50 pounds (0.22 kN) on an area not to exceed one square foot (305mm2) including openings and space between rails.

BOCA National Property Maintenance Code 1993 Handrailing Requirements

PM-305.5 Stairs and railings: all interior stairs and railings shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.

Commentary: Handrails, treads and risers must be structurally sound, firmly attached to the structure, and properly maintained to perform their intended function safely. During an inspection the code official should inspect all stringers, risers, treads, and handrails.

PM-305.6 Handrails and guards: Every handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.

Commentary: This section provides for the safety and maintenance of handrails and guards. See Section PM-702.9 for additional requirements.

PM-702.9 Stairways, handrails and guards: Every exterior and interior flight of stairs having more than four risers, and every open portion of a stair, landing or balcony which is more than 30 inches (762mm) high, nor more than 42 inches (1067mm) high, measured vertically above the nosing of the tread or above the finished floor of the landing or walking surfaces. Guards shall be not less than 30 inches (762mm) high above the floor of the landing or balcony.

Commentary: Handrails are required on all stairs more than four risers in height. Handrails cannot be less than 30 inches nor more than 42 inches above the nosing of the treads (see Figure PM-702.9).

Guards are required on the open side of stairs and on landings and balconies which are more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below. The guard must be at least 30 inches above the floor of the landing or balcony. Guards are to contain intermediate rails, balusters or other construction to reduce the chance of an adult or child from falling through the guard. If the guard is missing some intermediate rails or balustrades, it is recommended that the guard be repaired to its original condition if it will provide protection equivalent to the protection it provided when originally constructed.

Uniform Building Code Stairway, Railing, & Guardrail Specifications (UBC 10.3.3.36)

Using 1997 UBC version as a model [38]

Stairway Handrail Width Requirements & Codes

The handgrip portion of handrails shall not be less than 1-1/4 inches (32 mm) nor more than 2 inches (51 mm) in cross-sectional dimension or the shape shall provide an equivalent gripping surface.  The handgrip portion of handrails shall have a smooth surface with no sharp corners.  Handrails projecting from a wall shall have a space of not less than 1-1/2” (38 mm) between the wall and the handrail.

Stairway Handrail Height Requirements & Codes

The top of handrails and handrail extensions shall not be placed less than 34” (864 mm) nor more than 38 inches (965 mm) above landings and the nosing of treads. 

Handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs and at least one handrail shall extend in the direction of the stair run not less than 12 inches (305 mm) beyond the top riser [sketch at left] nor less than 12 inches (305mm) beyond the bottom riser. 

Ends shall be returned or shall have rounded terminations or bends.

Exceptions:

1.  Private stairways do not require handrail extensions

2.  Handrails my have starting or volute newels within the first tread on stairways in Group R, Division 3 Occupancies and within individual dwelling units of Group R, Division 1 Occupancies.

Sketch of handrailing heights (above left) is from the Florida Handrailing Code advisory 505.4. Quoting that document:

The requirements for stair and ramp handrails in this code are for adults. When children are the principal users in a building or facility (e.g., elementary schools), a second set of handrails at an appropriate height can assist them and aid in preventing accidents. A maximum height of 28 inches (710 mm) measured to the top of the gripping surface from the ramp surface or stair nosing is recommended for handrails designed for children. Sufficient vertical clearance between upper and lower handrails , 9 inches (230 mm) minimum, should be provided to help prevent entrapment

Stair Handrail requirements - one vs both sides of the stairway:

Stairways shall have handrails on each side, and every stairway required to be more than 88 inches (2235 mm) in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate handrail for each 88 inches (2235 mm) or required width. Intermediate handrails shall be spaced approximately equally across with the entire width of the stairway.

Exceptions:

1. Stairways less than 44 inches (1118 mm) in width or stairways serving one individual dwelling unit in Group R, Division 1 or 3 Occupancy or a Group R, Division 3 congregate residence may have one handrail.

2. Private stairways 30 inches (762) or less in height may have a handrail on one side only.

3. Stairways having less than four risers and serving one individual dwelling unit in Group R, Division 1 or 3, or a Group 4, Division 3 congregate residence or Group U Occupancies need not have handrails.

Stairway handrailing clearance to wall

Typically codes require a minimum of clearance of 1 1/2 inches between the inner surface of the handrailing and the adjacent wall. Our sketch is from Figure 505.5 of the Florida Handrailing code which states:

505.6 Gripping Surface. Handrail gripping surfaces shall be continuous along their length and shall not be obstructed along their tops or sides. The bottoms of handrail gripping surfaces shall not be obstructed for more than 20 percent of their length. Where provided, horizontal projections shall occur 11/ 2 inches (38 mm) minimum below the bottom of the handrail gripping surface.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Where handrails are provided along walking surfaces with slopes not steeper than 1:20, the bottoms of handrail gripping surfaces shall be permitted to be obstructed along their entire length where they are integral to crash rails or bumper guards.

2. The distance between horizontal projections and the bottom of the gripping surface shall be permitted to be reduced by 1/ 8 inch (3.2 mm) for each 1/ 2 inch (13 mm) of additional handrail perimeter dimension that exceeds 4 inches (100 mm).

Handrailing bottom or under-side clearance to horizontal projections & supports

Advisory 505.6 Gripping Surface. People with disabilities, older people, and others benefit from continuous gripping surfaces that permit users to reach the fingers outward or downward to grasp the handrail , particularly as the user senses a loss of equilibrium or begins to fall.  You can see in this example, also from Florida's handrail code, that there is also a recommended minimum clearance distance between the under-side of the handrailing and a supporting horizontal projection that carries the railing.

California Building Code Handrailing Specifications (CBC 1003.3.3.6)

The intent of a handrail is to provide a handgrip for people using a stairway. Stairways which serve an individual dwelling unit must have a handrail on one side if they have four risers or more.

Such stairways with fewer than four risers are not required to have handrails. Handrails projecting from a wall shall have not less than 1 1/2 inches between the wall and handrail.

Handrails must be placed between thirty-four and thirty-eight inches above the nosing of the stair treads.

Ends [of the stair handrailings] must be returned or have rounded terminations or bends. The handgrip portion of handrails shall not be less than 1 1/4 inches nor more than 2 inches in cross-sectional dimension or the shape shall provide an equivalent gripping surface.

The handgrip portion of handrails shall have a smooth surface with no sharp corners. [37]

California CA/OSHA Title 8 Building Code Stair & Railing Safety & Construction Details

Note: this code establishes minimum occupational safety & health standards that apply to all places of employment in California. This is not a residential building code requirement, but this text in our OPINION models stair construction safety & design specifications. Also see STAIR TREAD DIMENSIONS and the other stair measurement parameter subtopics outlined in our detailed article links listed at Related Topics .

CA OSHA Title 8 Section §3214. Stair Rails and Handrails [35]

(a) Stairways shall have handrails or stair railings on each side, and every stairway required to be more than 88 inches in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate stair railing for each 88 inches of required width. Intermediate stair railings shall be spaced approximately equal within the entire width of the stairway.

Note: Intermediate stair railings may be of single rail construction.

Exceptions:

(1) Stairways less than 44 inches in width may have one handrail or stair railing except that such stairways open on one or both sides shall have stair railings provided on the open side or sides.

(2) Stairways having less than four risers need not have handrails or stair railings.

(3) Stairways giving access to portable work stands less than 30 inches high.

(4) Stairs that follow the contour of tanks or other cylindrical or spherical structures where the construction requires the inside clearance between the inside stair stringer and wall or tank side to be 8 inches or less, shall not be considered an "open side."

(5) Guardrails may be erected provided a handrail is attached.

(b) A stair railing shall be of construction similar to a guardrail (see Section 3209) but the vertical height shall be in compliance with Section 3214(c). Stair railings on open sides that are 30 inches or more above the surface below shall be equipped with midrails approximately one half way between the steps and the top rail.

Note: Local building standards may require 4-inch spacing of intermediate vertical members.

(c) The top of stair railings, handrails and handrail extensions installed on or after April 3, 1997, shall be at a vertical height between 34 and 38 inches above the nosing of treads and landings. For stairs installed before April 3, 1997, this height shall be between 30 and 38 inches. Stair railings and handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs and, except for private stairways, at least one handrail or stair railing shall extend in the direction of the stair run not less than 12 inches beyond the top riser nor less than 12 inches beyond the bottom riser. Ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals, or otherwise arranged so as not to constitute a projection hazard.

(d) A handrail shall consist of a lengthwise member mounted directly on a wall or partition by means of brackets attached to the lower side of the handrail so as to offer no obstruction to a smooth surface along the top and both sides of the handrail. The handrail shall be designed to provide a grasping surface to avoid the person using it from falling. The spacing of brackets shall not exceed 8 feet.

(e) Handrails projecting from a wall shall have a space of not less than 1 1/2 inches between the wall and the handrail.

(f) The mounting of handrails shall be such that the completed structure is capable of withstanding a load of at least 200 pounds applied in any direction at any point on the rail.

Exception: Handrails and stair rails on flights of stairs serving basements or cellars that are covered by a trap door, removable floor or grating when not in use, shall stop at the floor level or entrance level so as not to interfere with the cover in the closed position. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 1006.9.2.7a.)

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code; and Section 18943(b), Health and Safety Code.

Handrails may serve as the top member or a component of stair rails & vice-versa

Our photo (left) illustrates very challenging stairs with a high rise, climbing to over 230 feet at the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán outside of Mexico City. Adding to the challenge is the combination of uneven and very tall rise steps, the starting altitude (7350 feet) that can add to dizziness for tourists, a flexible cable "handrailing", and the sun itself. Construction began abut 2 A.D., a bit before OSHA was established.

OSHA, in describing stairs built for use during building construction, specifies these details: [6]

The following general OSHA requirements apply to all stairways and stair rails:

• Stairways with four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height- whichever is less- must be installed along each unprotected side or edge. When the top edge of a stair rail system also serves as a handrail, the height of the top edge must be no more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stair rail to the surface of the tread.
• Stair rails installed after March 15,1991, must be not less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) in height.
• Top edges of stair rail systems used as handrails must not be more than 37 inches (94 cm) high nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stair rail system to the surface of the tread. (If installed before March 15, 1991, not less than 30 inches [76 cm]).
• Stair rail systems and handrails must be surfaced to prevent injuries such as punctures or lacerations and to keep clothing from snagging.
• Ends of stair rail systems and handrails must be built to prevent dangerous projections, such as rails protruding beyond the end posts of the system.
• Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings must have standard 42-inch (1.1 m) guardrail systems.
• Intermediate vertical members, such as balusters used as guardrails, must not be more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart.
• Other intermediate structural members, when used, must be installed so that no openings are more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide.
• Screens or mesh, when used, must extend from the top rail to the stairway step and along the opening between top rail supports

Handrailing Extension Requirements on stairs, landings, ramps.

Handrailings in public areas are generally required to extend 12-inches past the top or bottom step, as shown in this sketch from Florida's Handrailing Code. The same requirement pertains to access ramps. Codes generally do not require extensions on private handrailings. The Florida Handrail Code at Figure 505.10.2 the illustrations at left explain the 12-inch extension requirement for public handrails at the top or bottom of certain stairs or ramps. Watch out: it is important to notice that where handrail extensions are required the extension is enclosed (leftmost sketch) or returned to the wall (right hand sketch) so as to avoid forming a trap or catch that could snag a user's clothing, straps, handbag, etc.

Our photo (left) illustrates well-designed stair guardrail /handrail extensions at the top and bottom of these exterior stairs located on a college campus in Poughkeepsie, NY. Florida Handrail Codes 505.10 Handrail Extensions 505.10.2 Top Extension at Stairs. At the top of a stair flight, handrails shall extend horizontally above the landing for 12 inches (305 mm) minimum beginning directly above the first riser nosing. Extensions shall return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight. 505.10.3 Bottom Extension at Stairs. At the bottom of a stair flight, handrails shall extend at the slope of the stair flight for a horizontal distance at least equal to one tread depth beyond the last riser nosing. Extension shall return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight. 1. Extensions shall not be required for continuous handrails at the inside turn of switchback or dogleg stairs and ramps. 2. In assembly areas, extensions shall not be required for ramp handrails in aisles serving seating where the handrails are discontinuous to provide access to seating and to permit crossovers within aisles. 3. In alterations, full extensions of handrails shall not be required where such extensions would be hazardous due to plan Handrail extension requirements for ramps are also illustrated at RAMPS, ACCESS.

More Reading GUARDRAIL CONSTRUCTION, DECKS & RAMPS HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS HANDRAILING STRENGTH requirements & testing standards SNAG HAZARDS on STAIRWAYS RAILINGS RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH A complete guide to building decks, porches, & exterior stairs can be found at Related Topics above. Key articles include: DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION - home DECK CONSTRUCTION BEST PRACTICES - separate article DECK DESIGN & BUILD - article series home CODES for STAIRS

...

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about building and installing handrailings along stairs & in other locations, & about handrailing codes, designs, repairs, safety

Question: Do stair railings need to be continuous?

If I live in a 3 stories home having an internal stair of 3'-0" wide.
The handrail is not continuous throughout:-
From ground floor to first floor the wall mounted handrail is on the LEFT,
From first floor to second floor the handrail with the balustrade is on the RIGHT.

Is this fully complied with Building Regulation and Code of Practice of Canada ?
Please advise, many thanks !

Simon [this question was originally posted at Balusters & Railing Enclosures ]

Reply: Yes handrails should be continuous. And should return to the walls too. But between floors, depending on landing conditions, railings may be interrupted by doors, floors, etc.

To get our terms precise, you are asking about handrailings. The terms stair rails or stair railings, by which normal people mean handrails, have a special meaning in building codes and refer to guards (top, middle & bottom members following the slope of the stairway and enclosed by stair balusters, clear glass, or other means) to keep someone from falling out through the sides of an open stairway.

As we stated more succinctly at the top of this article, guard railings should be continuous, but the railing can stop or be interrupted at a newell post or return at the railing ends at the bottom or top of the stairs. Railings should not be interrupted by posts within the "run" of the railing.

And where there is no newell post (railings are attached to the building wall) most jurisdictions will also require a handrail "return" that connects the end of the hand railing to the interior wall so that someone who grasps the railing during a fall won't have their hand slip off of the railing end. Our stair rail photo (above left) is from a stairwell that we just completed at a home in New York (courtesy of Eric Galow Homes, Lagrangeville, New York).

Stairways that end at a landing surrounded by walls or at a building floor are likely to have their handrails stop too at each level. Then the rail along stairs to the next floor will begin anew. Of course if your landing also has handrails (as would be required at least on a landing that had an open side (that is, no building wall), then we'd expect the stair rail to connect to the landing or balcony railing except where interrupted say by a doorway or an open floor on that level.

What I mean to say is that there may be practical reasons for a railing to change sides from one stairwell to another in a building. In the stairwell shown above, safest would have been a stair railing on both sides of the stairway but we didn't want to give up the passage space to a second rail. The building department accepted a continuous handrail with returns on the left side of the stair as shown. See Guards where we describe details about railings on landings and open hallways or other horizontal walking surfaces.

However it's up to the local building officials to interpret the building codes and to tell you what they require. Since stair falls are one of the most common injury hazards in buildings it's worth a call to your local building department for an answer to your question. Let us know if your local building inspector agrees that railings should indeed be continuous.

Question: regulations for theatrical stairs and railings: what are the safety and code requirements?

Q1: Can a railing change as it goes along...ie Steel/wood to rope back to Steel/wood ?

Q2: Is there any law (not guides) governing gaps between railing when it cannot be continuous ?

My problem is it is not going to be a permanent structure as it will be part of a set in a theatre (just for the shows) I was wondering whether there were different rules for such? - D. Gould 8/8/2011

Reply: review stair and rail standards, perform local safety inspection, comply with local regulations, educate actors and crew

The short answer is that in a theatrical production where model building codes are not going to be followed you will want to understand the intent of the code and to comply as much as possible with that safety objective. So to use your example, if a railing changes material but the actor's hand can slide from one section to another without obstruction you are meeting an intent of the model stair codes. And where railings cannot be continuous there may be serious fall hazards that in my OPINION should be addressed by some means: safety cables, warning markings, special training and preparation of the actors, lighting details, even in some cases a safety harness, etc.

Background on Theatrical Stage Set Stairs and Railing Safety Advice

It is widely recognized [1][2][3][4][5] and [19] that in the more temporary constructions used for theatrical productions and sets, local and model building code standards are rarely respected in total, and except in major cities where local code officials have considered the building and safety code needs of theatres, other local building codes are generally not going to be adequate for theatrical productions. Some model codes and national codes such as the IBC Stairs Code and the U.S. National Electrical code do include provisions for theatres and stages. There are also texts such as Holloway's Illustrated Theatre Production Guide [4] and Teague's (non-code-compliant) advice for building theatre stairs [5]

You are well aware that there are special hazards to the actors - especially depending on lighting variations etc. and certainly we've both seen productions using tall steep stairs that sport no railings whatsoever. It is also my OPINION that some productions I've seen involved staging that was so dangerous (indeed people had been injured) that the performance of some actors appeared to be affected by a real fear of falling - which in some perhaps, helped the interpretation of the script.

In some U.S. States and Canadian provinces as well as in Australia, a limited-scope electrical license is required even for theatrical wiring (the fixed building wiring is not touched). There are also some published recommendations such as Electrical Safety in the Theatre (Broadway Press) [3]. Similar rules may apply in other areas.

It makes sense to start any set design with good stair and railing safety practices and to recognize where production requirements (and the director and set designer) need to vary from those by making special effort to compensate and reduce risk. I've seen, for example, use of yellow/black floor safety tape markings and in some productions, use of small diameter wiring as fall barrier warnings. And I would bet that the director/producer and set safety experts also spend time briefing actors on necessary safety precautions.

In addition to consulting with local code officials about requirements for theatrical sets and the use of an onsite safety inspection before dress rehearsals and stage productions begin, there are published safety guidelines for theatrical productions that you might review for suggestions, often more local, such as Yale's guidelines[1]. Australia, for example, has specific standards for licensing people who perform high risk work such as rigging.[2] Those guidelines recognize that for staging reasons standard railings may not be provided (such as balusters 4" o.c. but they require an inspection and approval of the set for trip and fall hazard safety (as well as fire and electrical and other safety concerns) before the production can be staged.

In my OPINION such an inspection is key, but it is also my experience that if an unfortunate injury or fall should occur, you can figure that once attorneys get involved, stairway and railing standards from the standard authorities will be brought to bear. I pose that a combination of onsite safety inspections by a qualified authority and careful training and preparation of the actors themselves, to alert them to specific risks, is probably what's needed to manage stairs and railings constructed for theatrical productions whose requirements cannot incorporate all of the safety details of model building code stair and railing recommendations.

Mr. Gould, please also take a look at the theatrical set stair and rail notes and references I've added above this section and the reference texts added below this section.

Reader comment:

Being a Stage Manager, the safety of performers and crew and to some extent the general public (as they should not be up on the stage) is of paramount importance to me and I am very aware of the 'pit falls' of Health & Safety awareness or lack of it in many venues I have worked in. I always work from a standpoint of 'do "I" think it is safe' and if the answers is no then something will be done to rectify the problem. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world and other people do 'cut corners' when it comes to their own and others safety, fortunately I am not one for cutting corners and do not tolerate such in others likely. Thank you for the extra advice and your time. - D. Gould 8/9/11

Reply:

D we're in complete agreement. Unfortunately in theatre applications it doesn't look as if we can count on much protection from code officials. Recognizing the need to be safe, (and I too am aware of some awful pit-falls), I pose that you're doing about all possible, especially with the added step of focus on informing and cautioning the performers. No preaching coming from this end. I'd welcome specific suggestions that you think we should add to the topic as they'd surely help others.

Rope or Cable Handrailings?

Question: best solution to missing handrail on spiral staircase in tower?

We have a Grade 1 Listed Building 900 years old with a spiral staircase up the tower.

There is no handrail, and when we have previously consulted regarding provision of a rope, it seems that we have to insert special cast iron bolts in the mortar (not the stonework) and the rope has to be fixed on the inside surface where the tread of the stair is at its narrowest.

We think it is more dangerous on the central pillar than on the outer wall where the tread is widest. We have had one quote which has been accepted by the Diocese and our architect but the cost in 2008 was £2270+ Vat.

This seems such a large amount to find, and we do not allow people to go up the tower unless the Captain of the Bells needs to go to the bell chamber, or one or two people need to check on the lead roof, or for maintenance.

We would like to ascertain whether there is any way round this problem which would give some kind of handhold that is allowable but not so expensive. - Church Warden

Reply: ropes or cables make dangerous handrailings - don't rely on a rope handrail at publicly-used stairs

My OPINION is that I agree emphatically with you that a railing on the inner side of a circular stair is more hazardous than the opposite in that it forces the stair user to walk on the inner and thus smaller portions of the stair treads - a more likely area for falls. On the other hand if someone IS walking in that area, for sure that's the more hazardous area and so they'd want access to a railing.

In general, ropes do no make very safe handrails because of their obvious lack of rigidity - better than nothing but not as secure as a solid material. Our photo above shows use of a rope or cable "handrail" at the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico. When the steps were first constructed, A.D. 2, railings were not installed. When we first climbed these stairs in 1960 there were still no handrailings. When we visited the Pyramid of the Sun in 2012, a flexible rope or cable hand railing had been installed - of a sort - to assist tourists climbing these steep and tall stone steps.

For mounting the fasteners there are many systems for connecting to masonry; typically contractors drill into the mortar joints (much softer, avoids damaging the stone), and insert either an expanding bolt (cheap, quick), or a rapid-set epoxy-bolt combination.

Question: center post railing at double exit door?

Does a double exit door in a public building having a center post require a railing? - ewyeager@comcast.net

Reply: need more details: how to send photos and sketches to InspectAPedia.com

Sorry, we don't quite understand the question. Perhaps a photo or sketch (use our CONTACT link). Railings are provided on landings and stairs. I'm not clear how your question about types of doors affects that condition. If you mean that there are steps down from the exit door then the standard handrailing requirements should apply.

Question: is a 2x6 handrailing safe and legal?

I fell using a handrail. It was a 2 by 6 piece of wood. Was this safety railing up to code in 1991? - Anon 8/20/12

Will a 2 by 6 pass code prior to 1991 to use as a safety railing ? - Anon

Reply: What are the Specifications for a Graspable 2x Hand Railing Along a Stair?

Anon, a 2x6 handrailing placed "on flat" and even a 2x4 handrailing in the vertical position if it lacks a thumb-groove (sketch above from the CBC [37] - click to enlarge) is not readily graspable, is not safe, and does not comply with the hand railing maximum perimeter rules in model building codes. Recapping from our article above in which we describe the shape and size parameters for stair handrails:

• Railing grip size and shape: (must be able to be grasped)
• Round rails: between 1.25" and 2" in diameter
• Metal ogee shaped: <= 2.25" across widest dimension
• Wood oblate shaped: <= 2.25" across widest dimension
• Rectangular shaped: perimeter must be between 4" and 6.25"
• Perimeter larger than 6" must have a graspable finger recess (see details at the ASM document link below)

That last item in our bulleted list means that code inspectors may approve a 2x6 or 2x4 hand railing placed in the vertical position (narrow dimension facing up - a width that can be readily grasped during a fall, while on flat it cannot - but the design needs to include a finger recess to permit a secure grip. Without that finger or thumb recess (seems to me it should be on both sides of the rail) the grasp is not secure.

Question: do we need to have a handrail for just 2 steps?

is it necessary to have a handrail for 2 steps in a hair Salon? Going up to the washing area is that in violation of the Bldg. codes? - justwaves777@gmail.com 5/24/12

Reply: 36-inch or 30-inch rule for step heights that require handrailings

Justwaves

The requirement for handrailings is not dependent on the type of business (Hair Salon in your example) - people can trip and fall down stairs regardless of what business or area the stairs serve. And some stair codes such as CA/OSHA require railings based not on a specific height but on the number of stair treads (4 or more requiring a handrail).

The code requirements for stairs and rails are enforced locally, so you will want to see what your own local building department wants in your case. But as a general guide, some codes and municipalities will excuse a REQUIREMENT for railings on two or fewer riser stairs or on steps less than 3 feet (or a shorter height of 30" in some codes) above ground.

Our own OPINION is, particularly where one is operating a public business, to put secure handrailings on ANY stairway as anyone can trip and fall, even where just one step is present - a secure properly built and shaped and mounted railing can significantly reduce the risk of injury to someone who is tripping or falling by giving them an opportunity to grab on to something to either arrest the fall or reduce its severity.

Relying on "code compliance" is an understandable way to avoid having to think about a risk, but codes are explicitly described as a MINIMUM standard - and can be exceeded - something worth considering where safety risks are involved.

Question: are handrails required on both sides of a stairway or can they be on just one side? Stair fall report.

My wife fell off the whole length of the stairs [14 all together}. she sustained multiple fractures hip and leg. The stairs are 36" wide, and have only one handrail. Wondering if the construction code requires 2 handrails for stairs that are 36" or more. Because had it been
another handrail there she would try to grab to it, and minimize the damage. - Jacques 6/9/2012

Reply:

Jacques I am so sorry to read about your wife's extensive stairfall injuries. Indeed if she was walking on the stairs on the side that lacked a handrail that could have contributed to her injuries, in my OPINION, by failing to give her a chance to save herself or reduce or interrupt the fall by grabbing onto a railing. Indeed in some jurisdictions a rail is recommended or even required for wider stairways - but this is a question that you need to ask your local building department officials, as the local officials are the final word on building code interpretation and enforcement.

Model codes such as the IRC specify that a user should not be more than 30 inches from a handrail, but since a person using a stairway has a body that is greater than six inches in width, such a person, walking up or down a 36" stairway that had a handrail on only one side, could most likely reach and grasp the rail on the other side.

Therefore model building codes have tried to clarify this provision in better language such as the following IBC quotation and the California General Safety Orders Section 3214 quotation:

IRC IBC 1012.8 Intermediate handrails. Stairways shall have intermediate handrails located in such a manner so that all portions of the stairway width required for egress capacity are within 30 inches (762 mm) of a handrail.

§3214. Stair Rails and Handrails [35] (a) Stairways shall have handrails or stair railings on each side, and every stairway required to be more than 88 inches in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate stair railing for each 88 inches of required width. Intermediate stair railings shall be spaced approximately equal within the entire width of the stairway. Note: Intermediate stair railings may be of single rail construction.
Exceptions:

(1) Stairways less than 44 inches in width may have one handrail or stair railing except that such stairways open on one or both sides shall have stair railings provided on the open side or sides.

Question: Is it "legal" for a basement stair to have no handrailing?

I am purchasing a condo and there is no handrail on the stairs leading to the basement. there is a wall on the left and no handrail on the right. is this legal in new york state, and or nassau county? thank you for you assistance, S.F. 7/26/12

Reply:

Our photo (at left) shows a common but unsafe lower floor or basement stair condition in an older home.

This stair is missing both handrailings and a stair rail or stair guard along the stair open side.

To make it possible to move large furniture or other objects between floors someone has removed the handrail and balusters that were originally installed on the open side of this stairway. We are sure that a stair rail was originally in place because we see the bottom newell post in our photo.

This is an unsafe stairway - the rail and balusters should be replaced. If the stair is more than three feet wide (probably it's not), and for all stairs in some jurisdictions, a handrail may also be required along the wall. The "legality" of this or any other building condition is in the final hands of the local building code department and officials.

Watch out: sometimes a local building department or official will issue a certificate of occupancy or "CO" on a building with conditions like the one shown here, either because the site was not actually visited (instead the "CO" indicates that there were "no issues on file") or because the official just didn't notice or didn't recognize an improper or unsafe condition. Nevertheless, a "CO" does not prevent accidents nor litigation. "Saying it's OK" doesn't make it "OK" if an unsafe condition exists, and if there is an injury the building department is not going to pay the injured person's medical bills.

Question: Methods for reducing the space between stair balusters that are too far apart

We have an apartment complex in Oregon, and the insurance company is requiring that we tighten up the metal posts on the railings...The railings on the premises currently have vertical balusters that are more than 4 inches apart. Baluster spacing of 4 inches increase the protection for small children sliding through. It is recommended to replaced the railing with vertical balusters that are no more than 4 inches apart to reduce the risk of small children falling. Is there an easy fix for this? - Tami 7/23/12

Reply: Suggestions for tightening up baluster spacing at a stair railing:

Tami:

We made this same repair recently on a circular stair that had vertical balusters that were too far apart by having our welder add additional balusters in between the existing ones so that the opening was less than 4" between baluster pairs. This was less costly than tearing out the whole rail and building a new one to exactly 4" on spec. Our new balusters varied a bit but were about 3.5" apart side to side or on center.

Watch out though: if you make the vertical balusters too close together, but far enough apart for a toddler to stick a foot through the space - say 2 1/2" they can become a foot trap. No child will fall through but s/he an get a foot stuck in the space by inserting it between the balusters, then turning it to one side. The ensuing panic requires an adult to sort out and remove the foot - as happened with my Godson Joshua Waterman years ago. His mom called me in hysterics that his foot was stuck in the balusters at their home and he couldn't get it out. I drove like a madman across town but just as I arrived in the driveway Josh turned his foot the proper direction and extracted himself from the trap without any adult assistance.

Question: Methods for raising the top height of a stair handrailing that is too short

In addition, in another complex in Oregon, the insurance company suggests the balcony or stair railing are less than 42 inches high. Railing less than 42 inches high do not adequately protect adults and children from falling. It is recommended that the insured replace the balcony and stair railings that are less than 42 inches tall with railings exceeding 42 inches in height to reduce fall potential. - Tami 7/23/12

Reply: Methods for Raising the height of an existing metal stair rail or guardrail:

Tami:


This is also easy to do as an add-on project by welding an extension on top of the existing railing. Take a look at the page top photo in this article and you'll see a different example of an add-on rail. You didn't say how high is the existing railing top but I'm guessing it's 36" or more above the step tread surface. If that's the case, welding on an additional tier of railing, while it creates multiple horizontal bars, will result in a railing in which both horizontal members are high enough above the step level that the hazard of making the railing "climbable" to a child is minimized - check with your local building officials to be sure they'll approve the addition before actually executing it.

Quoting stair railing heights from the document above:

• Stair rails (hand railings) installed after March 15,1991, must be not less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) in height
• Top edges of stair rail systems used as handrails must not be more than 37 inches (94 cm) high nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stair rail system to the surface of the tread. (If installed before March 15, 1991, not less than 30 inches [76 cm]).
• It is important to distinguish between the requirements for handrailings along a stairway and guardrailings along a horizontal walking surface such as a balcony or deck.

It seems to me you want to ask your building officials for a height clarification, including a clarification on the maximum handrail height they consider safe (reachable) along a stairway.

If you and the officials are discussing not a stairway railing but guard rails on a balcony or landing, please take a look at our separate article on guardrails at Guardrails on Balconies & Landings where you'll see a 42" minimum guardrail height requirement for buildings newer than 1970. In that article we warn against interpreting building codes to permit stairway handrailings to be placed too high as they could be beyond reach or safe grasp.

Don't confuse the handrail (along a rising or descending stairway) with guardrails (along horizontal walking surfaces such as a balcony or deck).

Keep us posted, and send along photos of the before and after railing improvements - that will permit further comment and may assist others.

...

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Questions & Answers on building and installing stair railings and guard rails and stair/railing safety & regulations

Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

• Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' home inspection education products include
  • The ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program, and Commercial Building Inspection Courses
  • The Home Inspection Home Study Course, and publications such as
  • The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
    Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a ten percent discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Just enter HRBUS10 in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. Note: InspectAPedia.com ^® editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
  • The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones
  • Home Inspection Report writing materials, including the Horizon Software System that manages business operations, scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
  • The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors
• Eric Galow, Galow Homes, Lagrangeville, NY. Mr. Galow can be reached by email: ericgalow@gmail.com or by telephone: 914-474-6613. Mr. Galow specializes in residential construction including both new homes and repairs, renovations, and additions.
• Thanks to reader Craig Sharp who contributed technical review & clarifications regarding the distinctions among handrailing, stair rail and guardrail 2/1/2-13.
• [1] Yale University Guidelines for Undergraduate Theatrical Productions and Special Events, Yale University’s Office of Undergraduate Productions, Office of the Fire Marshal, and Office of Environmental Health & Safety April 2005, web search 8/9/11, original source: http://www.yale.edu/oup/forms/pdf/guidelines.pdf
• [2] CUE40303 Certificate IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Operations), Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations, web search 8/9/11, original source: https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/cib_vto/cibs/documents/cue40303.pdf
• [3] Electrical Safety in the Theatre, Broadway Press, web search 8/9/11, original source: http://www.broadwaypress.com/PDFs/LTSpdfs/LTSchpt13.pdf - quoting:
  Referring to the NEC will provide the technician with details specifically related to the theatre and moreover, these regulations will
  be better suited to the needs of the theatre.
• [4] Illustrated theatre production guide, John Holloway, Focal Press, 2002, ISBN 0240804937, 9780240804934
• [5] How to Build Theater Stairs, an Illustrated Guide, Ben Teague, www.benteague.com, Amateur Theatre Division, December 2004, web search 8/9/11, original source: http://www.benteague.com/features/Stairs.pdf
  Note that Mr. Teague warns that his designs and advice do not comply with building codes.
• [6] OSHA Publication 3124 - Stairways and Ladder, web search 12/21/11, OSHA Publications Office U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101 Washington, DC 20210 Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498. Original source: osha.gov/Publications/ladders/osha3124.html
• [7] "The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
• [8] "Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
• [9] "The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
• [10] Lighting, proper use of: proper aiming of a good flashlight can disclose hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on walls.
• [11] The Stairway Manufacturers' Association, (877) 500-5759, provides a pictorial guide to the stair and railing portion of the International Residential Code. [copy on file as http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf ] -
  [11a] "Visual Interpretation Of The International Residential Code (IRC) 2006 Stair Building Code", The Stairway Manufacturers Association, [Portions of this document reproduce sections from the 2006 International Residential Code, International Code Council, Falls Church, Virginia.},
  The Stairway Manufacturers Association website stairways.org provides free downloads of stairway handrailing profiles and dimensions
• [12] A HREF="http://astore.amazon.com/inspectapedia-20?node=14&page=2">Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen, Jon R. Abele, Alvin S. Hyde, Cindy A. LaRue, Lawyers and Judges Publishing; ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
• [13] Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
• [14] The Staircase, Ann Rinaldi
  
• [15] Common Sense Stairbuilding and Handrailing, Fred T. Hodgson
• [16] Falls and Related Injuries: Slips, Trips, Missteps, and Their Consequences, Lawyers & Judges Publishing, (June 2002), ISBN-10: 0913875430 ISBN-13: 978-0913875438
  "Falls in the home and public places are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States, but are overlooked in most literature. This book is unique in that it is entirely devoted to falls. Of use to primary care physicians, nurses, insurance adjusters, architects, writers of building codes, attorneys, or anyone who cares for the elderly, this book will tell you how, why, and when people will likely fall, what most likely will be injured, and how such injuries come about. "
• [17] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen, Jon R. Abele, Alvin S. Hyde, Cindy A. LaRue, Lawyers and Judges Publishing; ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
• [18] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Second Edition, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen,A. S. Hyde, Jon R. Abele, ISBN-13: 978-1-933264-01-1 or ISBN 10: 1-933264-01-2, available from the publisher, Lawyers ^ Judges Publishing Company,Inc., www.lawyersandjudges.com sales@lawyersandjudges.com and also from the InspectAPedia Bookstore (Amazon.com)
• [19] Arts, Crafts, & Theater Safety (ACTS), 181 Thompson Street, #23 New York, NY 10012-2586 Telephone: (212) 777-0062 E-Mail: ACTSNYC@cs.com, web search 5/9/12, website: http://www.artscraftstheatersafety.org/ - Quoting:
  ACTS is a not-for-profit corporation that provides health, safety, industrial hygiene, technical services, and safety publications to the arts, crafts, museums, and theater communities. A part of the fees from our consulting services goes to support our free and low-cost services for artists. We gratefully accept donations, but do not solicit them from the artists who call here for help and advice. We recognize that artists and performers are among the least affluent groups in society.
  ACTS also will not accept money or take advertising in our publications from manufacturers of artists materials or businesses whose interests could conflict with ours. We want artists to know that we have no financial incentive to make our product and safety recommendations.
• [20] Access Ramp building codes:
  • UBC 1003.3.4.3
  • BOCA 1016.3
  • ADA 4.8.2
  • IBC 1010.2
• [21] Access Ramp Standards:
  • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Public Law 101-336. 7/26/90 is very often cited by other sources for good design of stairs and ramps etc. even where disabled individuals are not the design target.
  • ANSI A117.4 Accessible and Usable buildings and Facilities (earlier version was incorporated into the ADA)
  • ASTM F 1637, Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, (Similar to the above standard
• [22] The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart
• [23] Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer
• [24]"The Dimensions of Stairs", J. M. Fitch et al., Scientific American, October 1974.
• [25] Mobile Home Inspections common defects unique to factory built housing, inspection methods, The National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST (nee National Bureau of Standards NBS) is a US government agency - see www.nist.gov
• [26] The Art of Staircases, Pilar Chueca
• [27 Building Stairs, by pros for pros, Andy Engel
• [28] A Simplified Guide to Custom Stairbuilding, George R. Christina
• [29] Basic Stairbuilding, Scott Schuttner
  
• [30] The Staircase (two volumes), John Templar, Cambridge: the MIT Press, 1992
• [31] The Staircase: History and Theories, John Templar, MIT Press 1995
• [32] Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
• [33] BUILDING, FIRE, RESIDENTIAL CODES - The 2007 & 2010 California Building Code (Part 2), California Residential Code (Part 2.5) and the California Fire Code (Part 9) of Title 24 are available for viewing online via the following International Code Council web site link: California Codes, Title 24, Part 1, 6, 8, 10, 11 & 12 are also available for viewing and download in PDF form on the California website: 2007 Edition of the California Building Codes or see2010 Edition (Effective Jan. 1, 2011) of the California building codes. For a summary page accessing all of the California building codes see http://www.bsc.ca.gov/pubs/codeson.aspx
• [34] "Guard Rail Height", CREIA, California Real Estate Inspection Association, Website: http://ask.creia.org, web search 8/1/12 original source: http://ask.creia.org/index.php?topic=424.0, December 2009
• [35] California Department of Industrial Relations - CA/OSHA: California Stair & Railing Code details: Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders, Group 1. General Physical Conditions and Structures Orders, Article 2. Standard Specifications, Section 3214. Stair Rails and Handrails, web search 8/1/12, original source: http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3214.html
• [36] California Department of Industrial Relations - CA/OSHA: California Stair & Railing Code details: Subchapter 4. General Industry Safety Orders, Article 17. Ramps, Runways, Stairwells, and Stairs, Section 1626. Stairwells and Stairs., web search 8/1/12, original source: http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1626.html
• [37] California Building Code, Nonstructural Design Requirements, web search 08/01/12 original source: http://sanbruno.ca.gov/comdev_images/California_Building_Code.pdf
• [38] Uniform Building Code Stair Specifications: UBC 1003.3.3.6 1997 or later specify handrail requirements, railing heights, rail widths, baluster spacing, stairway types, and guardrail specifications.
• ...

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

• Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
• ...