Recent Questions & Answers about handrails & handrailings for stairs, steps, & other locations (los pasamanos).

In this article series here we give stair rail construction & installation specifications & building code citation for handrailings, i.e. stairway handrails.

Handrail Specifications Requirement & Installation FAQs-2

These questions & answers about handrails and handrailing codes, standards, and construction were posted originally

at HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS - home; ge sure to review that article.

Our sketch, shown at left, notes in red where a stair guard and handrails are missing on both sides of an open stairway to a basement.

On 2019-08-26 by (mod) - California Building Code for exterior handrails has a graspability requirement of a heat factor?

Penny

Thank you for a very interesting question about the safety of hand railings that get too hot to grasp. That's not a factor that I have come across in any of the model building codes.

However your local building code inspector could certainly express an opinion and perhaps suggest

simply painting the hand railings a lighter color.

On 2019-08-26 by Penny

Can you please tell me if California Building Code for exterior handrails has a graspability requirement of a heat factor? Today in 105 degree heat I was not safely able to grasp a metal exterior handrail due to heated metal. This definately is a fall hazard, however is it a violation that must be corrected in a commercial housing project? Thank you.

On 2019-05-02 by (mod) -

Your plan sounds reasonable to me.

On 2019-05-02 vby Lee

My mistake, I guess you would call it three risers because they are just over 7" each. Here's a photo of the existing structure. We are in design phase of renovating and considering options for handling the transition between levels. There will be a wall in the center-left of this photo, running from the back of the fireplace to the right up to the higher level, through the existing stair.

One thought is to run the three-riser stair all the way to the extreme right of the photo (to the wall to far right, out of the photo) and have no guard rail.

Your points are well taken on color cues and traffic patterns. The dining room shown center rear photo will remain, as will the kitchen shown right rear photo and breakfast table area visible to the right.

I think we will probably have to go with short widths of stair at the extreme ends of the level transition, with guard rail continuous in the center.

Thanks for the input! We have a couple other interesting conundrums with this renovation and I have found some very helpful information on your other pages.

MAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2019-05-02 1v by (mod) -

a 22-inch rise ascended by just 2 risers would give us two 11-inch tall steps - TOO TALL and a trip/fall hazard that local officials ought to find non-compliant with code.

I'd expect the code official to require handrails at either side of the open floor and depending on traffic patterns and occupant needs one or more intermediate rails may also be appropriate.

On a floor plan as you describe it's also critical that there are color cues to the presence of the steps and changes in elevation.

Perhaps you can attach some photos.

See HANDRAILS at WIDE STAIRWAYS https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Handrails.php#Center_Handrai

On 2019-05-02 by Lee 22" height difference between the two levels

Great site! I didn't see information regarding this:

Assume a split level residence with an open floor plan with only a 22" height difference between the two levels for about 27' of length with a wall at each end. If two stair risers were installed for the entire 27' length wall to wall between the two levels, what handrails do you think would be required generally under U.S. codes?

On 2019-03-25 by (mod) -

JOhn

The article HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS gives us

Railing height (=> 31.5" one-side-rail, or =>27" with rails on two sides) (historic)

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

The requirement to amend the height of an existing railing depends on

- local building code inspector authorities - they have the final word on legal or code compliant stairways

- the height and condition of the existing handrails and guardrails: if they are unsafe they should be corrected.

On 2019-03-24 by John

In a apartment building what would be the hite of railing for a older apartment and would the railing need to be changed to today's code

On 2019-03-12 by Buddy

Is a hand rail required on a deck with 4 steps that are 1/2 moon shaped or simicircle and no edge to fall off

On 2018-07-29 by (mod) - requirement for handrails on stairs that are more than 3 or 4 ft wide ?

Someone walking the stairs needs to have a graspable, properly-installed and located handrailing within 3 feet of horizontal distance. There are exceptions and other details.

For example some codes permit a single handrail on just one side of a stair that's 44" or less in width,

and

A guardrail and handrail must be along the side(s) of a stairway that is open - that is, not enclosed by a wall.

On 2018-07-28 by John

Is there a requirement for handrails on stairs that are more than 3 or 4 ft wide ?

On 2018-07-17 by (mod) - "Can" isn't "should" nor "code"

"Can" isn't "should" nor "code"

Local building code officials have the final legal say on what you "can" do legally. Typically an un-finished basement, if it's big and has headroom enough that it could be made into finished space, will be treated as requiring safe normal stairs and handrails and guardrails.

Safer and probably compliant is a rail on both sides. Not just a handrail but a guardrail too.

On 2018-07-17 by Paul

Have unfinished basement with stairs open on both sides and no railings. Basement to remain unfinished. Can I install one handrail 34" from nosing and call it a day. North Andover, MA

On 2018-07-14 by (mod) - when is a railing needed on both sides of a stairwell outside

For stairs over 36" wide or over 44" wide in some jurisdictions.

On 2018-07-14 by You know

Do you have to have a reeling on both sides of a stairwell outside

On 2018-07-03 by (mod) - max horizontal distance of the railing from the steps for an exterior stair?

Ask your local inspector the maximum allowable stair width between rails. Typically it's 36" but they might let you get away with just 3 rails, one on either side and a center one leaving 4 ft wide stairways. The decision is local.

On 2018-07-03 by Sajid

Is there any code which dictates the max horizontal distance of the railing from the steps for an exterior stair? The stair has a wide inclined parapit at steps level and railing is placed in centre of that parapit about 250mm away from the steps.

On 2018-06-21 by (mod) - Minimum size a grab rail can be

See

GRASPABILITY of HANDRAILINGS https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Handrail_Graspability.php

On 2018-06-21 by Anonymous

Minimum size a grab rail can be

On 2018-06-19 by (mod) - height requirements for handrails

Frank the height requirements for handrails is not measured "from the ground" but rather from the walking surface that is being guarded, such as a stair tread surface or ramp surface.

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

On 2018-06-19 by Frank How high should the rail be from the ground to the hand rail ?

when installing a exterior tubular pipe hand rail -

How high should the rail be from the ground to the hand rail ?

How deep should I pound the vertical rail post into the ground for it to be considered safe ?

On 2018-06-16 by (mod) - when are handrails required: stairway width?

Ron:

It's not the width of the stairway but its total rise that will, for most building code inspectors, determine if a handrailing and guards are required. Some jurisdictions may simply say: yep: 3 risers = need rails and guards. Other jurisdictions won't require a handrail and guard until the total rise is more than some specific height - such as 3 ft.

If rails and guards are required by your local building department (they are the final authority), you'll probably need handrails and guards on both sides and a center handrail too as your stairway is wider than 3 ft.

On 2018-06-16 by ron

does a staircase of 10 feet wide with 3 risers require handrails?

On 2018-06-01 by (mod) -

Yes

On 2018-05-31 by Joe m

I built a 2 story concession/storage stand at a town baseball field.
Do i need a hand rail in an out building of that type?

On 2017-11-30 by Anonymous

In a wastewater treatment warehouse for a Power Plant, we have a Control Room, breakroom, bathrooms within a 30'+ tall warehouse. We do not want people storing things on the ceiling deck (10' height) so we decked it with a 3:12 slope. to insure safety from falling objects, the deck was designed to carry a 20 psf load and we decked it with 5/8" plywood. There is a possibility that maintenance will want to walk on the deck to change bulbs, etc. Do we need to provide tie-off capability and are guardrails going to be required?

On 2017-11-16 by (mod) - on which side of the stair a single handrail must be placed

Larry there is no model building code nor standard that dictates which side a single handrail must be placed. All of the model codes for stairs say that a handrail must be placed on at least one side of the stairway without specifying which side. Wider stairway will require a handrail on both sides, and very wide stairways may require also a center handrail.

Why the handrail should go on the right of the stair when descending:

However in my OPINION, since more falls happen when people are descending rather than ascending a stairway, and since most people are right-handed, it's best to put the handrail to be on the right-side when facing down the stairs. The handrail rail will be on your left when ascending the stair.

Another determinant: a stairway that is open on just one side must have a stair guard on that side, so the builder may combine the stair guardrailing with a handrailing. But still I'd prefer to have a right-sided handrail for people descending the stairs.

A different answer to "on which side of the stairs should the handrail be located ? " question is one I found among some exterior stair builder stairway writers who opine that the handrail should be on the side of the stairs that matches the side on which the walker will find the door knob of the entry door. To me this is far less important than my first point above.

Having handrails on both sides of a stairwell will reduce falls. That's required by some codes for public spaces.

• Boer, Louis C., and Rolf Skjong. "Emergency evacuation: how better interior design can improve passenger flow." Cruise and Ferry (2001).
• Maki, B. E., Stephen D. Perry, and William E. Mcllroy. "Efficacy of handrails in preventing stairway falls: a new experimental approach." Safety Science 28, no. 3 (1998): 189-206.

On 2017-11-15 by Larry Windsor

I have a railing going down to the basement which side should it be What should it be made of it is eight steps going down

On 2017-10-17 by terry

can you legally have steps built onto a hand rail on a catwalk...as part of the.handrail itself

On 2017-09-27 by John

We had the house appraised and I just measured wall to wall it's 25 inches is there a requirement. Hand rails

On 2017-09-27 23:08:52.107064 by John

We have a second egress that has no hand rail the with of the stairwell is 25" inches wide do we need a hand rail

On 2017-05-22 by (mod) - how to improve stairways for the elderly

Thanks for the comment, GJ. Not a bad idea; where I've installed handrails for use by an older person I also made very sure that the rails were

- very securely fastened - wobbling is dangerous even if the rail wouldn't come away from the wall

- graspable
and that the stairs are well lit.

Please be sure to see ELDERLY & VETERANS HOME SAFETY https://inspectapedia.com/interiors/Elder_Care_Safety.php where I'd much welcome further suggestions

On 2017-05-21 by G. Jackson

I have been thinking about how to improve stairways for the elderly, and your great material on handrails raised a few issues and ideas that I had not previously encountered. Thanks! My conclusion is that two easily graspable continuous rails, on either side of the stairs, not more than 32 " apart, is the best straight-forward solution.

On 2017-05-19 by (mod) -

You don't give a country, state, province, city, but most likely, the answer is yes. What does your local code official say?

On 2017-05-18 by Mile

I have a 48 in wide set of stairs in a bed and break
Fast. Do I need a handrail on each side of stairwell.

On 2017-05-04 by (mod) -

Maritimer,

To permit illustrated comments that make your important question and several apparent safety hazards clear, we have repeated your question and include snapshots of the images that worry you, along with our detailed reply. Thanks for asking.

(It may take 24 hours for the new data to appear online; be sure to clear your browser cache to see the new material when you re-load this page).

On 2017-05-04 by Maritimer

apartmenttherapy com /before-and-after-an-unfinished-attic-turned-modern-studio-242931

On the website Apartment Therapy they keep showing this one house without a railing and without a wall of any kind to prevent falls. They have posted this house 4 times and my concern is that this type of remodel may become the new trend in home renovations (open stairs becoming the new open concept). Can anyone here point out the specific code violations they are obviously breaking?

On 2017-03-29 by (mod) - rule of three steps or more, you need handrails

Ramiro,

To obtain a local building code citation or local ordinance you would of course need to name the country, city, state or province and then find their building department OR find which model code they've adopted. Our article series on this does cite specific codes but the final legal authority is in the hands of the local building department.

On 2017-03-29 by Ramiro Leon

In our community there is a rule of three steps or more, you need handrails. my question is does anyone know an ordinance number on this. We used BOCA before, but not anymore.

On 2017-03-23 by (mod) - rule of thumb for number of steps or risers that require a handrail

Typically, yes. Some Communities use a rule of thumb of three risers or steps to be the minimum that would require a hand railing. Others use the total rise which might be a different number. I suggest that hand railing belongs on all steps to reduce the chances of trip & fall hazards.

See details at STAIR BUILDING RULES of THUMB

On 2017-03-23 by Anonymous

There r four steps entering to our basement.....should there be a railing

On 2017-02-18 by (mod) - code for interval between guardrail posts

Yep. See GUARDRAILS on BALCONIES, DECKS, LANDINGS for details

On 2017-02-16 by Chris - post intervals In Niagara falls, Canada, if a balcony railing is over 10'

In Niagara falls, Canada, if a balcony railing is over 10', we have to put a post in to break it, does that apply in the state of New York, Buffalo area?

On 2017-01-12 by (mod)

Mitch

A handrail that is just 3/4" away from the wall is not readily-graspable and is improper and unsafe.

Details are at https://InspectAPedia.com/Stairs/Handrail_Graspability_Defects.php#Close_to_Wall

On 2017-01-11 by Mitch

For ADA compliance.Do wooden handrails in a nursing home have to have a radius the meets the wall? We have a system that has the radius coming up 3/4" to 1 inch away for the finished surface.

On 2016-12-14 by edwarda dowden

when must a center hand rail be installed on steps??. the distance from side to side is 7 feet. not safe for seniors

On 2016-10-20 by (mod)

Dennis I've not found a specification handrail end shape, but if you're asking about leaving the end of a handrail open vs. returning it to the wall, thus closing it, the latter is preferable to avoid a snag hazard.

On 2016-10-19 by Dennis

On an ADA handrail do the corners have to be radius or can they be mitered?

On 2016-10-13 by MO

I have an exterior stair with a center handrail. The post and rail are both 1 1/2" schedule 40 galvanized pipe.

There is no bracket connecting the rail to the post, the vertical post is fully welded to the bottom of the handrail. Isn't the graspability interrupted here the handrail meets the vertical pipe post?

On 2016-10-05 by Cam

Are handrails required for a set of exterior steps (7) that are part of a retaining wall?

On 2016-09-29 by (mod)

Rob I'm sorry but I don't understand the question nor the role of a roof overhang nor how a roof overhang affects the need for a handrail or guardrail;
Speaking generally, I'd expect to see handrails on both sides of a 4 ft. wide stairway and I'd expect to see a guardrailing along any stairs whose side would otherwise be open to someone falling through at the side.

On 2016-09-29 by Rob

Senior living facility stairs on the exterior of building stairs or 4 feet wide and there's a 3 foot Eve from the roof overhang Stairs should the railing be on the wall side underneath the eve or on the banister side outside the protection of the eve

On 2016-09-12 by (mod)

Craig please see the hand rail extension specifications at https://InspectAPedia.com/Stairs/ADA_Stair_Design_Specifications.php

On 2016-09-12 by Craig

How far beyond the final step must a hand rail extend?

On 2016-08-23 by (mod) license is necessary to build and install an all metal stair rail in a residential property?

Great question, Dev. Sorry I don't have a clear answers. It depends, as Mark Cramer says. It depends on where you live and what local regulations apply there. Typically a licensed contractor building a stairway as part of a construction project has to obtain (or the owner / customer obtains) a building permit, and local building inspectors also inspect the job.

On 2016-08-22 by Dev

What kind of license is necessary to build and install an all metal stair rail in a residential property?

On 2016-08-08 by (mod) add additional height to a landing railing

It's a perfectly fair question Brent, but I can't guess what your local building code compliance inspector will say or do about un-specified non-compliant stair or rail or handrail details.

On 2016-08-08 by Brent K.

I'd like to add additional height to a landing railing in our plant to bring it to the proper height requirements, but there are also some very minor non-compliances with the railing and attached stairs that I don't want to address at this time.

Question: Will an inspection be required for adding height to this plant railing that may lead to a mandate to make the other additional minor modifications?

On 2016-07-07 by (mod)

Ken:

As my genius home inspector Mark Cramer (Tampa FL) says .... it depends.

Handrails must be continuous and graspable. But I find that depending on the handrail diameter and how I wrap my fingers around smaller diameter but "code compliant" railings, it is possible to wham into the handrail bracket in some installations.

Just "guessing" as I don't have a shred of information about your handrailing, if the bracket is fastened to the underside of the handrailing and the railing complies with the specifications in this article series such as spacing from wall and continuity, it's probably code-compliant.

You can use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send photos, measurements, details, and an image of your hand against the bracket and I may be able to comment further.

Finally, "code compliance" is the authority of your local building code inspector.

On 2016-07-07 by Ken

I have knocked my hand against a handrail bracket that is mounted from the side which does not allow free movement along the length of the handrail. Is this mounting against the building regulations?

On 2016-05-14 by (mod)

Dave, I can't answer the question. Certainly there are some maintenance areas where because of physical layout there is not normal access space, but in most cases the worker does need to be protected as per OSHA guidelines.

On 2016-05-13 by Dave

Does handrail have to be installed on stairways to access a "maintenance only" area in a commercial building?

On 2016-03-21 by John

Is 2" PVC piping permitted to be used as handrail material in a school building?

On 2015-12-26 by (mod)

Arlette

I'm not sure as we may not be talking about the same parts.

The rough opening of a door in wood frame construction is made of 2x4's or 2x6's; Into that rough opening a door fame is typically constructed of 1x lumber such as 1x6 pine boards nailed to the rough opening framing but with spacers to align the door frame itself plumb and square

- so a screw or bolt that just is into the 1x lumber is not a structural connection; you'd need to connect to the 2x4 or 2x6.

On 2015-12-26 by Arlette Rachel Twersky

Is a door frame considered to be structural framing or just trim?

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: 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: 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: IRC IBC 1012.8 Intermediate handrails.

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.

...

Continue reading at XHANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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HANDRAIL FAQs-2 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to STAIRS RAILINGS LANDINGS RAMPS

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