When do we need to extend the handrailing along the top or bottom of a stair or ramp?

Public stairs / ramps and ADA compliant stairs and ramps require that the handrailing extend 12" (305 mm) beyond the face of the nosing of the bottom or top stair tread.

Shown here is the stair bottom extension for a stair guard along the open side of a stairway.

For clarity we have omitted the balusters that would also have been required in a stair guard.

This series article provides example & specific stair rail construction & installation specifications & building code citation for handrailings used in or at buildings on stairs and at other walking surfaces where handrails are needed.

Page top sketch: an ADA compliant handrail extension at the bottom of a stairway.

While earlier code versions gave a minimum extension readch of 12 inches, current ADA codes permit the extension to be as small as the stair tread dimension A in the photo.

Handrail Extension & Handrail Return Requirements at Top & Bottom of Stairs & Ramps

Handrailings in public areas are generally required to extend at least the width of the stair tread, or in some codes, 12-inches past the top or bottom step.

Notice that this illustration shows an extension of handrailing along a wall surface. Dimension "X" in this drawing indicates that the handrail extends one tread-depth past the face of the nose of the bottom tread.

And in the model building codes we have

Current ADA  505.10.3, required handrail extension equal to the tread dimension X (shown above).

2018 Residential stair Guide (as adopted by Colorado & other U.S. jurisdictions), (shown below)

R311.7.8.4 Continuity.

Handrails for shall be continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight.

Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals.

Exceptions:

1. Handrail continuity shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at a turn in a flight with winders, at a landing, or over the lowest tread.

2. A volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed to terminate over the lowest tread

Watch out: standards such as ADA compliant stairs require that the handrail extend 12" (305mm) past the face of the nose of the top of the stairs and 12" + 1 stair tread length at the bottom of the stairs - as illustrated at the top of this page and again just below.

From ADA STAIR & RAIL SPECIFICATIONS as shown in this sketch from Florida's Handrailing Code:

Handrails that are not continuous must have a horizontal extension at the top and bottom of the run.

ADA stair top handrail extension requirements

>= 12" (305 mm) past top tread nose - as shown above.

A minimum 12 inch (305 mm) horizontal extension is required at each top riser (indicated in the figure by the dimension X).

ADA stair bottom handrail extension requirements

>= 12" + 1 Tread "width" (we prefer to call dimension A tread "depth" so as not to confuse measurements with stairway width - Ed.)

A minimum 12 inch (305 mm) horizontal extension plus the width of one tread is required at each bottom riser (indicated by the dimension Y).

ADA Ramp Handrail Extension Requirements

From RAMP CODES & STANDARDS we have a similar requirement for a 12-inch handrail extension requirement at access ramps - illustrated below.

Of course since a ramp won't have stair treads and risers, the requirement is more straigtforward: a 12-inch ramp handrail extension is required at the top and bottom of the ramp extending thus over the level walking or wheelchair surfacae.

What about the handrail extensions at the steps (at left) and ramp (at right) at this New York City building entry?

The city building code compliance inspector is, of course, the final "legal" authority on whether these handrail extensions are a bit short at both the steps and ramp.

Our photo (below) illustrates well-designed stair guardrail /handrail extensions at the top and bottom of these exterior stairs located in Poughkeepsie, NY.

At both top and bottom of the steps the handrail is extended more than 12 inches.

In my OPINION however the steps themselves, constructed of landscape ties, may be a bit of a trip hazard.

As the hillside slope is only a few inches below the highest stair tread surface along these steps the builder could eschew balusters or a stair-guard enclosure along these steps.

Codes generally do not require extensions on private handrailings. In our two photographs shown here you will see handrailing or guardrailing extensions on a stairway and on a ramp that are on the Vassar College campus in Poughkeepsie, NY.

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.

Also
see SNAG HAZARDS on STAIRWAYS

What about this handrail extension along the guard on this bridge over a creek?

In my OPINION this walkway is unsafe because th guard does not extend all along the full width of the drop-off; there may be a child hazard here.

Florida Handrail Codes: 505.10 Handrail Extensions

505.10.2 [Handrail] 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 [Handrail] 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 discussed and illustrated

at ADA STAIR & RAIL SPECIFICATIONS

Question: do I need to move this newell to extend the stair rail past the top stair in my home?

2019/11/09 jyg said:

Can a guardrail (such as a railing with balusters or a pony wall) end right where the first tread meets up to the landing, or does a guardrail need to be extended a certain distance before the first step down?

The included image would show the guardrail ending where the first treat meets up to the landing.

The question is whether or not the post needs to be pulled back, and the guardrail lengthened. Thanks for your great website.

This Q&A were posted originally

at GUARDRAIL, BALCONY, DECK, LANDING CODE FAQs-3

Reply: no

JY thanks for asking - I'm embarrassed to say I had to search our own website for "guardrail extensions" to find

HANDRAIL EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS where we discuss Handrailing Extension Requirements on stairs, landings, ramps.

and state

Handrailings in public areas are generally required to extend 12-inches past the top or bottom step,

... you'll see a handrailing extension at the top and bottom of public stairways illustrated in the handrailing extension link just above.

In short, no, for a private residence that extension of handrailings is not required. Naturally you might still want to consider an extension if the occupants of your home need that extra support.

...

Continue reading at HANDRAIL GRASPABILITY CODES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ADA STAIR & RAIL SPECIFICATIONS
• HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS
• STAIR CODES & STANDARDS - home
• STAIR CODE DETAILS
• GRASPABILITY of HANDRAILINGS
• GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS details about railings on landings and open hallways or other horizontal walking surfaces.
• GUARDRAILS on STAIRS, DESIGN
• HANDRAIL CODES & OSHA HAND RAIL SPECS
• HANDRAIL CODES - GRASPABILITY
• HANDRAIL CONTINUITY
• HANDRAIL EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS
• HANDRAILING STRENGTH
• RAILING CODES & STANDARDS - home
• SNAG HAZARDS on STAIRWAYS
• STAIR TREAD DIMENSIONS

Suggested citation for this web page

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

Or see this

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

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