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 #2

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 2018-09-30 by (mod) - avoid snag hazards at ends of handrails

Nope, not if you mean a rounded end of the rail itself;

but it has to be graspable and of course not sharp or shaped so as to injure someone or trap or catch clothing or a handbag strap.

To avoid that sort of trap many rail ends are looped back and enclosed.

Details are at https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Stair_Snags.php - SNAG HAZARDS on STAIRWAYS

On 2018-09-28 by Anonymous / Bryan - does grasp rail have to have radiused start on ends?

does grasp rail have to have radiused start onends

on a ramp rail grasp rail how does it have to start an stop? do they have to have the 12in approach loop?

On 2018-09-18 by stewart adler

need to find out what is the measurements for outside steps to a public developement

On 2018-08-27 by (mod) - just attaching handrail to drywall is not safe

Yep. The code writers can't anticipate every foolish mistake people might make, so the codes won't explicitly prohibit every mistake either. Instead the writers focus on what's called a "performance code" - that is they try to write a specification that says in essence: "I don't care how or where you mount brackets to secure your hand railing, but it MUST be capable of withstanding a specific force - usually expressed in pounds - of pull.


Those handrail strength requirement details are at GUARDRAIL & HANDRAIL STRENGTH https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Guardrailing_Strength.php

here's an excerpt

The 2000 IRC (IRC Table R301.5) and other typical building codes requires that a guardrail or a handdrail be able to resist a 200-pound concentrated load applied along the top in any direction, while some local codes still in effect specify a smaller load of 20 pounds per linear foot.

On 2018-08-27 by Anonymous

Our stair rail was just attached to drywall, not anchored to masonry or a beam, so when out 70lb son fell and grabbed the rail, it ripped out of the drywall. We live in S.C., are there building codes for these sorts of things? Should it not be more securely attached?

On 2018-08-26 by (mod) - Can a glass guard rail be installed on a balcony without a top rail?

Bob,

Generally the codes and manufacturers say no, Bob.

The strength requirements for the top of the guard are in most jurisdictions different (greater) than those for the enclosing guard (balusters or equivalent) so you'd want the glass guard to be certified to meet those - by the manufacturere - and you'd need evidence or an expert inspection that the installation also followed the manufacturer's instructions and requirements.

otherwise the guard may be unsafe as well as not compliant with code

On 2018-08-22 by Bob Thompson

Can a glass guard rail be installed on a balcony without a top rail?

On 2018-07-24 by (mod) -

Anon

I don't quite understand the question, but there are specifications for how much the handrailing should be spaced from a wall or how far it can intrude into the walking space; it certainly shouldn't be outside the stair walking surface edges such that it's not graspable or that someone could be guided to step into the open space.

Sketches are in the RAILING CODES & STANDARDS article above.

On 2018-07-24 by Anonymous

is there need to keep wallrail pipe centre align with stringer centre ?

On 2018-07-20 by (mod) -

No, you don't want your stair user to be more than 36 inch away from a hand railing.

On 2018-07-20 by Anonymous

can you use just one hadrail on steps 72 inches wide

On 2018-06-24 by (mod) -

I don't have a clear picture of your situation.

But if there's an immediate step down from the front entry door that sounds to me like a trip Hazard. I would think you would at least need an entrance platform at the same level as the door threshold.

On 2018-06-24 by James Herring

On a residential house,front door. Immediately upon entering there is a sunken living room. Is there a code concerning handrail , or banister to keep someone not familiar with residence from falling ?
Thanks in advance.

On 2018-06-06 by (mod) -

Bill

Ask your local inspector the maximum allowable stair width between rails.

Typically it's 36".

That means that if your stairway is wider than 36 inches, you need hand railings on both sides.

On 2018-06-06 by Bill

Do handrails need to be on both sides of stairs? Inside stairs

On 2018-04-12 by (mod) -

Jim,

Many local code officials will forgive the installation of guards and handrails along a stair of 3 risers or less. Some use the 30" height rather than the number of risers (which makes a bit more sense).

It depends on local code enforcement who are the final legal authority, but your case report confirms my opinion that even just a few steps up or down can be a serious trip/fall injury hazard.

Illinois Stair Code § 13-160-290 through -350 describes stair, handrail, guardrail requirements for Illinois.

CHAPTER 13-160 EXIT REQUIREMENTS

13-160-290 Stairways.

All stairways required as exits shall comply with the provisions of Sections 13-160-300 to 13-160-350, inclusive.
(Prior code § 67-10)

13-160-300 Stairways – Treads and risers.

(a) In institutional and assembly units the maximum height of a riser shall be seven and one-half inches and the minimum width of a tread, exclusive of nosing, shall be ten inches.

(b) In other occupancies the maximum height of a riser shall be eight inches, and the minimum width of a tread, exclusive of nosing, shall be nine inches. The width of a tread, including nosing, shall be not less than ten inches.

(c) The height of two risers plus the width of one tread shall equal not less than 24 inches nor more than 27 inches.

(d) Winders shall not be permitted in stairs required as exits except in single-family and two-family dwellings. The width of a tread of a winder measured at a distance of 18 inches from the inside railing shall be not less than nine inches nor less than the treads of the flightbelow or above the winding section.

(Prior code § 67-10.1)

13-160-310 Stairways – Landings.

(a) The maximum vertical rise of a flight between floors, between landings or between a floor and a landing shall not exceed nine feet in assembly units nor 12 feet in all other occupancies.

(b) The length of a landing in the direction of travel shall be not less than the width of the stairs, but need not exceed four feet in a stair of any width.

(c) Except in single-family and two-family dwellings, no flight shall have less than two risers.

(Prior code § 67-10.2)

13-160-320 Stairways – Handrails.

(a) All stairways shall have walls, railings or guards on both sides and shall have handrails on both sides except as follows:

(1) Stairs less than 44 inches wide may have a handrail on one side only.

(2) Intermediate handrails, continuous between landings, shall be provided where required to provide a lateral distance between handrails not exceeding 88 inches.

(b) In assembly units every handrail mounted on a wall shall have its ends returned and joined to the wall.

(c) In nursing homes and sheltered care facilities, all corridors and passages used by patients shall be provided with handrails on both sides.

The height to the top of handrails shall be two feet, ten inches to three feet, two inches above the floor and shall return to the wall.

(Prior code § 67-10.3; Amend Coun. J. 10-1-03, p. 9163, § 4.11)

13-160-330 Stairways – Construction.
Stairs, other than those in single-family and two- family dwellings or serving only one dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling, shall comply with the following construction requirements:

(a) Stairs shall be constructed entirely of noncombustible materials in the following buildings:

(1) Buildings of Types I-A, I-B, I-C and II construction;

(2) Buildings of institutional and assembly units except churches;

(3) Buildings of all occupancies four stories or more in height or having an occupancy content of more than 40 persons above or below the grade floor level.

(b) The under side of stairways of combustible construction shall be protected to provide fire resistance of not less than one hour.

(c) Stairs shall be constructed with solid risers, treads and platforms except that open risers may be used for stairways constructed of noncombustible materials serving as exits from boiler rooms and other mechanical equipment areas.

(d) The finished surface of treads and landings shall be of materials which will not cause danger of slipping.

(e) No closet or storage space shall be located beneath stairs.

(Prior code § 67-10.4)

Bookmark13-160-340 Stairways – Enclosures.

Enclosures of stairways shall comply with the requirements of Section 15-8-140.

(Prior code § 67-10.5)

13-160-350 Stairways – Headroom.

In residential units, stairways serving not more than two dwelling units shall have a clear headroom of not less than six feet eight inches. In all other occupancies the clear headroom shall be not less than seven feet.
(Prior code § 67-10.6)

You will note there is NO exception for low stairs or few riser stairs in that code excerpt. Still the local code authority is the final legal voice on the matter.

In my OPINION relying on codes alone to address safety hazards is not a good idea. Codes cannot anticipate every situation nor hazard. An elderly person or one of limited mobility can trip and be injured at even the slightest irregularity in a walking surface, so special circumstances can also pertain, as can slip conditions or poor maintenance - topics we address in this article series.

On 2018-04-12 by (mod) - when is a handrail or guardrail required on steps or stairs?

Jim,

Many local code officials will forgive the installation of guards and handrails along a stair of 3 risers or less. Some use the 30" height rather than the number of risers (which makes a bit more sense).

It depends on local code enforcement who are the final legal authority, but your case report confirms my opinion that even just a few steps up or down can be a serious trip/fall injury hazard.

Illinois Stair Code § 13-160-290 through -350 describes stair, handrail, guardrail requirements for Illinois.

CHAPTER 13-160 EXIT REQUIREMENTS

13-160-290 Stairways.

All stairways required as exits shall comply with the provisions of Sections 13-160-300 to 13-160-350, inclusive.
(Prior code § 67-10)

13-160-300 Stairways – Treads and risers.

(a) In institutional and assembly units the maximum height of a riser shall be seven and one-half inches and the minimum width of a tread, exclusive of nosing, shall be ten inches.

(b) In other occupancies the maximum height of a riser shall be eight inches, and the minimum width of a tread, exclusive of nosing, shall be nine inches. The width of a tread, including nosing, shall be not less than ten inches.

(c) The height of two risers plus the width of one tread shall equal not less than 24 inches nor more than 27 inches.

(d) Winders shall not be permitted in stairs required as exits except in single-family and two-family dwellings. The width of a tread of a winder measured at a distance of 18 inches from the inside railing shall be not less than nine inches nor less than the treads of the flight below or above the winding section.
(Prior code § 67-10.1)

13-160-310 Stairways – Landings.

( a) The maximum vertical rise of a flight between floors, between landings or between a floor and a landing shall not exceed nine feet in assembly units nor 12 feet in all other occupancies.

(b) The length of a landing in the direction of travel shall be not less than the width of the stairs, but need not exceed four feet in a stair of any width.

(c) Except in single-family and two-family dwellings, no flight shall have less than two risers.
(Prior code § 67-10.2)

13-160-320 Stairways – Handrails.

(a) All stairways shall have walls, railings or guards on both sides and shall have handrails on both sides except as follows:

(1) Stairs less than 44 inches wide may have a handrail on one side only.

(2) Intermediate handrails, continuous between landings, shall be provided where required to provide a lateral distance between handrails not exceeding 88 inches.

(b) In assembly units every handrail mounted on a wall shall have its ends returned and joined to the wall.

(c) In nursing homes and sheltered care facilities, all corridors and passages used by patients shall be provided with handrails on both sides.

The height to the top of handrails shall be two feet, ten inches to three feet, two inches above the floor and shall return to the wall.
(Prior code § 67-10.3; Amend Coun. J. 10-1-03, p. 9163, § 4.11)

13-160-330 Stairways – Construction.
Stairs, other than those in single-family and two- family dwellings or serving only one dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling, shall comply with the following construction requirements:

(a) Stairs shall be constructed entirely of noncombustible materials in the following buildings:

(1) Buildings of Types I-A, I-B, I-C and II construction;

(2) Buildings of institutional and assembly units except churches;

(3) Buildings of all occupancies four stories or more in height or having an occupancy content of more than 40 persons above or below the grade floor level.

(b) The under side of stairways of combustible construction shall be protected to provide fire resistance of not less than one hour.

(c) Stairs shall be constructed with solid risers, treads and platforms except that open risers may be used for stairways constructed of noncombustible materials serving as exits from boiler rooms and other mechanical equipment areas.

(d) The finished surface of treads and landings shall be of materials which will not cause danger of slipping.

(e) No closet or storage space shall be located beneath stairs.
(Prior code § 67-10.4)

Bookmark13-160-340 Stairways – Enclosures.

Enclosures of stairways shall comply with the requirements of Section 15-8-140.
(Prior code § 67-10.5)

13-160-350 Stairways – Headroom.

In residential units, stairways serving not more than two dwelling units shall have a clear headroom of not less than six feet eight inches. In all other occupancies the clear headroom shall be not less than seven feet.
(Prior code § 67-10.6)

You will note there is NO exception for low stairs or few riser stairs in that code excerpt. Still the local code authority is the final legal voice on the matter.

In my OPINION relying on codes alone to address safety hazards is not a good idea. Codes cannot anticipate every situation nor hazard. An elderly person or one of limited mobility can trip and be injured at even the slightest irregularity in a walking surface, so special circumstances can also pertain, as can slip conditions or poor maintenance - topics we address in this article series.

On 2018-04-12 by Jim - report of stasir fall injury on a 3-riser stair

I have a friend who was renting a home in Illinois (the owners lived there as well). She walked outside where there is a small porch-like area, then down a three-riser set of steps that take you to the ground. Unfortunately, there were no rails of any kind on either side of these steps, nor any anti-slip materials.

She fell and was badly hurt. Is there a requirement that rails should have been there? I'm having trouble finding authority, specifically Illinois code on this. It looks like there is a requirement in model code that a rail is required for 4 steps or 30" in height, but confirm if Illinois is a 3-step or 4-step requirement state. any help appreciated. thanks!

On 2018-03-30 by (mod) - can we use rope as a mid rail

See the hazards discussed at

CABLE RAILINGS & GUARDRAILS - home

If you are using a "mid rail" instead of balusters along an open stairway in my view such a stair is unsafe, particularly for children.

On 2018-03-30 by Craig P - ok to use a rope as a mid-railing?

Curious if we can use rope as a mid rail on a set of stairs leading to a loft above our garage? Home inspector said we needed to fix it in order to refinance our house.

Currently there is no midrail, but he said I could even do it with 2x4s so would rope ok as well?
(These are exterior stairs)
Thank you!!

On 2018-04-03 by (mod) - Curious if we can use rope as a mid rail

Owen

You can install additional open guardrails above the present guard; I can't assess the hazard as I can't see the heights of the existing guardrails.

On 2018-03-29 by Owen in Texas

I am thinking about buying this three story townhouse with a large atrium separating the partial flights.

I am worried my 4 or 7 year old would try to play and peak over the side of the guardrail (side facing atrium). I picture big brother hoisting his little sister, using a step stool to lean over and toss something 50 feet down, etc.

How can I modify the flat-topped guardrail to further discourage or prevent a determined child from getting themselves over it, and be compliant with any code?

On 2018-03-19 by (mod) -

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.

On 2018-03-16 by Rocco

Minimum maximum height for a handrail from first-floor to second floor residential in Massachusetts

On 2018-02-13 by (mod) -

Tom

You've got it. Some municipalities require handrails at 3 steps or more, others use a total stair rise height, such as 30" or more. The exact answer for you depends on your country, city, state or province and which stair code they've adopted.

Details and code citations for the minimum height at which handrails and stair guards are required are at HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Handrails.php

On 2018-02-13 by Tomh

When are hand rails not required. IE 3 or less steps ???
Or total hight less than 30 "

On 2018-01-26 by (mod) -

Joe I can't quite get the picture - can you attach a photo to a comment (use the picture frame icon) ?

On 2018-01-26 by Joe

In Massachusetts I need a continuous handrail on a main stairway I have a handrail open that goes up to a wall and then dies into the wall on the corner of the wall I continue the handrail up to the top of the stairs but there's an actual break from one rail to the other there was still a railing over every step is that considered a continuous handrail

 

...

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

Or see RAILING CODES & SPECIFICATIONS FAQs-3 - more-recent Q&A about railing and guardrail codes and requirements

Or see these

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• HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS
• GRASPABILITY of HANDRAILINGS
• HANDRAIL CODES & OSHA HAND RAIL SPECS
• HANDRAIL CODES - GRASPABILITY
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• RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH
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• STAIR CODES & STANDARDS - home
• STAIR CODE DETAILS

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