FAQs on guards & railings used on stairs, balconies, decks, ramps, walks:

Questions & answers on stair and railing codes and hazards.

This article series provides building code specifications, sketches, photographs, and examples of stair & railing safety defects used in inspecting indoor or outdoor stair railings or handrails and related conditions for safety and proper construction.

Railing Specifications, Codes & Defect FAQs

Railings, guardrails, and handrails are a critical safety feature on outdoor and indoor stairs, and ramps, both as graspable handrails to guide a user or to protect against a stair-fall, and as are guardrails along stairs, landings, platforms, decks, porches, and similar structures.

These questions & answers on railing safety & codes were posted originally

at RAILING CODES & STANDARDS - be sure to read that article.

On 2018-01-21 18:31:12.331507 by (mod) - is it code to have a ramp with no guardrails?

Sounds entirely unlikely.

On 2018-01-21 by don

I work In Va. We have an entrance ramp at the back of the shop that rises to over 5 feet. It has NO guard rails. Is this to code?

On 2017-12-03 by (mod) - Are all basement steps supposed to have hand rails?

Generally that would be correct for all steps and rails for steps of 3 risers or more or 30" or more of total rise.

There may be an exception for an area that is considered not normally accessible and not normally used and it's only accessed for example to repair equipment. Even then however there's a risk of falling and it would make sense to have handrails.

On 2017-12-02 by Barb

@Suresh,
Are all basement steps supposed to have hand rails?

On 2017-11-10 by Janiceh

If I have 42" handrails around an apartment complex patio and I have a 32"" high grill and counter that is 28"-30" deep do I have to make the back of the grill 42"s to be the same height as the railings. Inspector is saying I have to add to the back of the grill counter. I can't even jump up on it let alone fall over it

On 2017-10-30 by Suresh

Can 2 steps at stairs landing at bottom be without hand rails? The steps runs from second floor to first floor next to kitchen.

On 2017-09-22 by Tom G

If i'm just updating an existing railing built in 1965 from solid panels between the posts to something more see thru, like spindles or cable railing, do I have to modify the height of the railing if it doesn't meet current code. Current height is 28"

On 2017-08-20 by (mod) - slippery walks and stairs

GD

Sorry you fell and were hurt. At SLIPPERY STAIRS, WALKS, ROOFS - https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Slippery_Stairs_Walks.php I discuss just how slippery algae and moss can be.

If the steps required a handrail and guardrail, as typically is the case for steps over 3 risers or 30" - varying by jurisdiction, then the absence of a handrail denied you the opportunity to arrest or reduce the severity of the fall. Regrets.

James,

The report on your mom's fall is terrible news, especially for her.

I don't have a clear understanding of the situation you describe, but if you're saying there was a stairwell that was open on one side with no guard railing along the open stair side, and considering that we already know from your note that the stair height was four feet (or more) then the stairs should have had a guard along that side.

The liability of the landlord is a question to take to a lawyer, however, as I'm not an attorney.

On 2017-08-18 19:39:57.761432 by G denney - fall injury report - missing rail

I fell and badly bruised my ankle whilst trying to walk down concrete steps that were extremely slippery due to moss and rain . There was no rail

On 2017-08-13 by james - fall injury report - open stairway

my mom (62 years old) recently fell backwards down a flight of unfinished basement stairs, half way down she fell off the open side 4 feet onto her head. she laid ther for 3+ hours bleeding before she was found. she lives in a rental. the stairwell has a hand rail on the wall but nothing on the open end whatsoever. her land lord doesnt have any insurance. is he liable for this?

On 2017-08-09 by Arthur mason

Why don't the Spanish Steps on 22d and S NW have any rails at all. IIt is very wide and very isn't this against Rule 307.1?

It's very dangerous
and I can't use the steps/ It is a public thorofare and they should be required to put in guardrail

On 2017-07-10 by Kathleen - serious fall injury report

In February 2016 I had a very serious fall leaving a restaurant leaving a restaurant where the stairs were extremely out of code (grandfathered in per their expert), and the handrail was interrupted with a downspout which was located behind the handrail before the end of the stairs.

It is located after the last step, but while on a landing, which was the same material and color of the sidewalk. After the downspout, the handrail continued for approximately 6 inches ending before the end of the landing. Having thought the downspout was the end of the stairs (my hand came in contact with it and I thought it was the end post)

I took a step "into space" and fell downhill to the left and suffered a concussion, amnesia, foot injuries requiring 4 surgeries, a hand injury requiring my left thumb to be permanently fused (I am left handed), months in an inpatient physical rehab facility, months in outpatient physical therapy (ongoing), having to sleep in a hospital bed downstairs, while my husband of 45 years sleeps upstairs because of the foot and calf surgeries.

So as you see, your articles are very relevant to my situation.

The restaurant denies any responsibility and sent my attorney a "no fault" check for $5000.00.

My attorney tells me we need a professional opinion on the safety of this handrail. As an aside, they have installed new lighting and have increased the amount of lighting additionally by leaving lights on in the attached diner in the front of the building.

Is there any way your can help me? I have many pictures I can share with you. Thank you for your consideration.

On 2017-05-19 by (mod) - height requirement for a guardrail under the 2001 edition of the 1997 UBC?

42"

On 2017-05-17 by Tony

What is the height requirement for a guardrail under the 2001 edition of the 1997 UBC? This is actually a perimeter concrete impact wall on a parking structure. Thanks

On 2017-05-13 by (mod) - ramps require railings and landings

Joe

In my OPINION an access ramp installation job, by definitinon and to comply with building codes, must include the necessary railings and landings. Otherwise it's not an access ramp, it's just *part* of an access ramp.

While most contractors I've known were very conscientious and responsible, some contractors may weasel out of what should be part of their job by including "not-including" phrases in your job contract, such as "not including railings". So you will need to look at the original contract if you've got one.

Watch out: it is also my opinion that if you've waited ten years to come up with an error of omission on the installation of an access ramp, you have little chance of success in bugging the contractor to return now to add railings, and closer to zero chance of asking her to do so at her own expense.

On 2017-05-13 14:32:42.923549 by Joe Driscoll

Handicap ramp installed approximately 10 years ago is the contractor responsible for railings installation and cost?

On 2017-05-05 20:54:48.978950 by (mod) -

Sorry Paul I don't know what a bolister is.

If you meant balusters - vertical dividers used to form part of a guardrail - those are not required as part of a handrail - what a person grabs onto when using a stairway - but yes guardrails are required along open stairs as well as along balconies and elevated walkways.

Guardrail tops are usually higher than handrailing heights. Guardrail heights are at https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Guardrailing_Codes.php

Handrail heights and dimensions are at https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Handrails.php

On 2017-05-04 02:45:29.201307 by Paul What is maximum height for hand rail with bolister and the minimum

What is maximum height for hand rail with bolister and the minimum

On 2017-01-30 15:43:31.515372 by Thanh

How far I need to set the post

On 2017-01-24 15:18:46.806238 by Nick

What is the Maximum width for pickets or bollards in a handrail?

On 2017-01-22 02:41:15.099473 by Cody J.

(Commercial building in Oregon.)

I am building a handrail that sits on top of a half/stub wall and is open to the floor below.

The height from stair tread nosing to top of the half wall is inconsistent by +/- 4.5 inches. (20" to 24.75" From my understanding the railing height needs to be a minimum of 34" and a max of 38" from the nosing on the open stairway.

There would only be a nosing or two that would exceed the max height and I am not sure what to do about this or if is even worth worrying about. Any thoughts?

On 2016-11-10 15:45:31.747609 by Dale H (Question)

I may not have been clear in my question. The cutout in the wall is where the bracket locates allowing the rail to locate on the wall side at the same plain as the surface of the wall. The cutout rises about 2 1/2" above the top surface of the handrail and is 4" below the top surface of the handrail. The depth of this notch out is 2 3/4". It would be nice if we could post a snapshot on here but I don't see that option. I just want to be sure this design will be within code and not a hazard to the public.

On 2016-11-10 15:20:59.189930 by Dale H (Question)

Im' looking at a rail design that shows cut out in a wall next to a stair and I have searched for the required clearance spacing for rail but can only find Code clearance information related to the space between the wall and the rail and below the rail.

What I need to find is what about above the rail? It seems to me that there should be a standard somewhere for this as this could create a point where a persons hand could be trapped or could impede there ability to grab the rail should it be needed in a fall.

Of course the height of the person would change the angle that the hand would reach for the rail making it much harder the tall the person is.

On 2016-11-10 14:54:35.620702 by Anonymous

on an interior stair system, the post that supports the handrail is called what?

On 2016-07-16 22:34:17.275274 by (mod) - does a 2-step stair need railings?

Angela

The requirement for a guardrail along stairs is in final, legal terms, set by your local building inspector.

Some jurisdictions don't require guards along steps that are less than 36" high or that are less than 3 risers. If you only want a legal answer, ask your local code inspector what's required locally.

If you want to be safe and stop the kids from falling off the stairs, install a stair guardrail and handrails at both adult and kid heights along the sides of any open stairways.

On 2016-07-16 by Angela

We are renting a home in Midvale. We have 2 steps in the front of the house and back of our house. Our kids have fell a couple times. Are we supposed to have railings on the sides?

On 2016-07-13 by (mod) - Can the handrail height above the nosing vary along the length of the handrail as long as it remains 34" to 36" ?

DanP

Your landings are inconsistent in length in the direction of travel ranging from 1'6" to 24".

It looks as if at least the step rise is consistent at 5 1/2".

But those short "landings" amount to a possible trip/fall hazard in my OPINION or at best a "halting walk staircase" that is uncomfortable to use because of the variation in landing depth and the "short" landings that make foot placement and stepping awkward.

(Search InspectApedia.com for HALTING WALK STAIR or see https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Halting_Walk_Stair_Design.php )

The height of your handrail above the walking surface seems to range from 3' 1 5/8" to 2'10 9/16" and is inconsistent. Your final building code compliance official has the final word about "legality" of a varying height handrail as well as the specific heights, but we summarize codes and recommendations on handrailing height at

https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Handrails.php HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS

We don't know where these rails are located, but here are some typical heights

Railings: U.S. handrails for stairs with one side against a wall: 30-38"

U.S. handrails at open stairs: 34-38" above the stairs

Canadian stair handrails: 32-36" above the stairs

My OPINION is that varying handrail height is awkward for stair users and might contribute to a fall even if it's not declared "illegal" by your inspector, and your railing heights are incorrect in any case.

I'm not sure what you mean by using steel cable between posts. If you are using steel cable as a "handrail" that is certainly not adequate and not compliant with standard codes. Graspable handrails are between 1 1/4" and 2" in diameter (when round).

If you mean that you are using steel cable to form the stair guards or "guardrails" along the stairway, while they might be permitted by your local inspector there are tensioning and child safety concerns.

See CABLE RAILINGS & GUARDRAILS at https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Cable_Railings.php

On 2016-07-13 by (mod) -

RE-posting

DanP said:
Can the handrail height above the nosing vary along the length of the handrail as long as it remains 34" to 36" ?

I show the details in the drawings here [at a dropbox link]

The staircase runs in two steps then an 18: landing then 3 steps and a 24" landing. I was hoping to build a simple one or two slope railing as shown (will use steel cable between posts).

This is for an outside concrete stairway that already has been built.

Actually I think my landings may be too small or do outside stairs have differing rules?

On 2016-06-01 by (mod) - Can railing be on either side of basement stairwell

Yes

On 2016-05-31 by Glenn

Can railing be on either side of basement stairwell that is enclosed on both sides with a door at top of stairs?

On 2016-03-11 by (mod) - The building code requirement for stair railings typically requires handrailings on stairs that have a total rise of three feet or more.

Ken

Sorry that you find the text confusing. Here is a quote from the start of the article above on this page:

The final authority on when and where railings (stair rails or guards and handrailings) 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.

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

Railing continuity: stair 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; rails can be interrupted at a newel post [at the ends of the run of the stair or ramp]

See details at NEWEL POST CONSTRUCTION

Search InspectApedia.com for HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS for complete details, measurements, tables, codes.

I'll take another look at these articles to see if some common railing height and baluster spacing tables would be helpful.

That said, uynfortunately there is not one simple, correct "height" (for what?) or "spacing" (again spacing of what from what).

In the real world there are a variety of stair and guardrail and handrail situations, and while model codes that we list in this article series list them, you'll see that even there the various codes do not all agree on all components (and there are a lot of them)

What is "correct" depends on where you live, what you are building, and ultimately what your local building code inspector approves.

Just take a look at step riser heights, tread depth, width, uniformity, nosing shape, nosing projection, landings, rules at doors, etc.

On 2016-03-10 22:46:01.738823 by Ken BAKER

Why can't we just have the height and the spacing requirements written and set up a whole lot of written gibberish

On 2015-11-16 00:26:02.594126 by (mod) -

If your code inspector thinks about what is clearly the intent of the code, which is to avoid an excess of intrusion into the walking space of the stairway, then the spacing distance given in the code would be extended for the case that you illustrate.

That is to say the four and a half inch intrusion into the walking space gives you another two and a half inches away from the wall or a total of 7 inches that there really could protrude from the wall without exceeding the allowable intrusion into the walking space of the stairway. That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

On 2015-11-15 06:59:25.805646 by iinspector roland

here is the situation . steel staircase. threads between 4x8 tube. one side sits close to masonry wall. this is where it gets tricky. the other side gets a framed wall and there is a gap of about 2 1/2 inches. handrails fabricated for 1 1/2 clearance from wall.

code said that the handrail cannot protrude into the stair greater tham 4 1/2. From this line of code should we assume that the handrail has to be installed from 0 to 4 1/2. Ispector wants to fial a noncompliance but the code is not clear enough.

On 2015-11-13 23:48:33.189916 by (mod) - repair unsafe or install missing handrails and guards on a home for sale

Am,

Surely the handrail cost is less than a fraction of a percent of the sale price of a building. Give the buyer an allowance, making her happy, letting her install a rail of her liking, preserving your sale, and avoiding the liability of installing the rail yourself.

Watch out: The risk to a home seller of unsafe stairs and rails is particularly severe as a home on the market is being visited by a wide range of strangers - people more likely to suffer a fall injury at an unfamiliar property than the occupants who may know about those hazards.

On 2015-11-13 20:08:05.830885 by amkthree

I have permanant stairs leading from the garage up to an uninhabitable attic through an access panel in the ceiling. There are no mechanical items installed up there. They are nice and wide but do not have a guardrail. I am selling and the buyer is requesting a handrail to be installed along with a ton of other items.

Do I have to install a handrail or guardrail or does the code not apply? The contract says that conditions that meet current governmental guidlines and local building codes are not considered hazardous and fall outside the scope of the inspection agreement and are therefore not grounds for termination of the sales contract.

The city of Madison AL says that they follow the 2006 IRC and the 2009 IBC but I can't find the answer to my question. I want to be able to refuse this request without voiding the sales contract.

On 2015-07-31 13:31:45.899915 by (mod) -

I did not know that a larger opening was code compliant, but I note that in all jurisdictions the local building code department enforcement official has the final, legal, say on what is acceptable. For example an official might have the opinion that

- the guardrail is in an area that won't be entered by children

- the guardrail has been approved by an architect or engineer who accepts responsibility for any hazards that may be blamed on its design

On 2015-07-31 13:16:54.242603 by Roger

In Indiana what are the codes concerning spacing on pickets in rails for public access. I always thought is was so that a 4" sphere could not pass through. When is larger spacing acceptable in public use?

On 2015-06-21 09:20:35.328520 by John

I have seen the first 4 steps of some stairways built similar to a pyramid, where the stair makes a 90 degree turn. At the corner, there is no rail in the pictures. I'm assuming that this is not considered "open" since there is not a drop, just another step. Is this correct?

On 2015-05-13 15:10:37.951040 by (mod) -

Elizabeth:

You don't say which Montgomery County: state, province, country, so I don't know the answer to your specific question.

But if you feel that balconies are a child hazard you should

1. immediately keep children off of the balcony

2. notify orally and in writing building management that you have a fall-safety hazard concern and ask for an expert inspection and evaluation

3. if the building management does not respond you will perhaps need to ask for help from your local building department officials.

While model building codes include balcony guardrail strength specifications and height and other details, they generally won't discuss how to evaluate older, possibly deteriorated conditions that affect safety.

That's probably because of the enormous range of possible circumstances. That's why an on site expert is needed.

Keep us posted.

On 2015-05-12 19:17:43.360510 by Elizabeth

Our building is a High rise and the apartment is on the 16th floor.
I am extremely concern about children in the balcony. This panels are made of some hard plastic materials.

i do not think is safe and the bolts are very rusty.
What are the codes and specific design for the balconies railings in Montgomery County?

On 2015-04-29 01:32:53.496440 by outdoorsy

Thanks for your comment DanJoeFriedman! Does National Parks or any state or municipality have guidelines about this? Where the public uses the trail, pretty heavily traveled in a park-like setting. Gravel or even asphalt surface.

On 2015-04-27 20:33:18.528630 by (mod) -

Out:

I don't know - the answer most likely depends on what "path/trail" means in your case, where it is located, who is using it, public or private &c. Certainly there are thousands of miles of trails along cliffs where nobody expects the erection of a guardrail.

On 2015-04-27 20:27:12.510710 by outdoorsy

Is a guardrail needed in open space where a path / trail runs close to a straight drop > 24"? (not connected with a building)
Thanks!

On 2015-04-02 12:57:06.286540 by (mod) -

Use the "Click to Show or Hide FAQs" link just above to see recently-posted questions, comments, replies

Question: want to omit guards on commercial porch

(Apr 26, 2014) Anonymous said:

We have had our front porch rebuilt on a commercial property, so we need to bring everything up to current code. The porch is less than 30 inches above grade. As I understand the IBC and Massachusetts code, we do not require a guard.

If we decide to install guards, must they be at least 42 inches high? The house is 125 years old (bed and breakfast) and the old railings were only about 32 inches high. 36 inches seems reasonable, but would it be legal? 42 inches seems too tall. We may not install any guards if we have to go that high.

Reply:

Anon,

Check with your local building department about what they require. And forgive my candor, but your final remark sounds more like a threat than sound reasoning. We're not policemen here, nor code enforcement officials but we don't care for threats any more than those folks do.

If the local building department permits you to have no guards at all, you have that option though I don't recommend it. I've personally seen a catastrophe when a tenant fell off of a low platform and broke an ankle. When the property owner turned the claim over to their insurance company the company's site investigation led to the company's refusal to pay the claim and to cancel the owner's insurance on all of the properties they had insured.

The reason that guard railings have a higher height than hand railings is that hand rails are at a height to be graspable when climbing stairs while a guardrail is to be high enough that someone doesn't accidentally step backwards and flip out over the railing.

On a commercial property, where thus clients or customers or tenants or occupants are on-site, in my OPINION an owner ought to be extra cautious about safety hazards, recognizing that over time a variety of site visitors and behaviours may create risks that you wouldn't have thought about.

Comment:

(Oct 10, 2014) Glass Balustrade said:
Nice article to learn how to identify the mistakes in the handrail and guidelines as well for constructing handrails perfectly. I am willing to add glass balustrade in railings they look good and gives a classic and royal touch to the house.

Question: making a spiral stair handrail / guardrail meet code

(Oct 16, 2014) Caleb said:

Please help! I have built a spiral handrail for a local lodge. It is seemingly a combination of handrail and guardrail.

The posts are 1-1/4" sq bar and are no more than 4-5' apart.

There is 3/8" x 1-1/2" FB in the horizontal with 1/2" sq bar pickets spaced no more than 4" C-C. The actual handrail is offset from the posts and all is welded as one complete unit.

My issue is that at the front of the tread this measures 36" and I am being told by customer that this will not meet code. My feeble mind believes that this complete welded unit is considered a handrail since the elevation of the actual grab is at 34" to front of tread.

Customer is treating this as two separate units with the one being a guardrail and the other handrail. If I were to build a simple pipe run of handrail with top and intermediate rail, would I not make it 34" high and go on?

Is there something that will sway the terminology of this unit to be handrail in lieu of guardrail/handrail combo? I am in a big bind here and feel as though I am not in the wrong, but could use some help in convincing the architect of this. Any help would be much appreciated.

Reply:

Caleb

Indeed along the run of an open stair both a guard and a handrail are needed. The handrail needs to be at the proper height above the treads for graspability, as measured in this article series. They can be combined.

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)(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.

...

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

Or see RAILING CODES & SPECIFICATIONS FAQs-2 - more recent Q&A about railing codes and requirements

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• BUILDING CODE DOWNLOADS - free downloadable PDF files of building codes & standards
• GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS (railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies that are more than 30" above floors or grade
• HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS
• GRASPABILITY of HANDRAILINGS
• HANDRAIL CODES & OSHA HAND RAIL SPECS
• HANDRAIL CODES - GRASPABILITY
• HANDRAIL CONTINUITY
• HANDRAIL EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS
• HANDRAILING STRENGTH
• RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH
• RAILING POST CONNECTIONS
• RAILINGS, STAIRWAY
• RETAINING WALL GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS
• STAIR CODES & STANDARDS - home
• STAIR CODE DETAILS

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