Stair rails or stair guards:

This article explains and illustrates the requirements for a stair guard along the open side of steps and stairways. We explain the difference between a stair rail and a handrail and their different requirements, and we describe using the top member of a stair rail as a handrailing.

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.

Stair Rail / Stair Guardrail Specifications & Defects: requirements for stair guards or guard railings along steps, stairs & stairways

Definition of stairrail or stair rail systems - guards along stairways

At the stairs shown at left, we are missing both handrailings and stair rails.

Article Contents

• When are Stair Railings Required?
• How many steps, what total rise height requires a stair rail or guard?
• When is a stair rail also an acceptable handrail?
• Stair Guardrail Specifications from CA/OSHA Title 8 Section 1626
• Unsafe or Non-Functional Stair Railings Contribute to Stair Falls & Injuries
• Photo Guide to unsafe stair rails or stair guards & unsafe stair rail tops used as handrailings
• A Comparison of Building Codes Specifying Stair Rail (guard) Requirements
• What are the differences between guardrail heights and stair rail heights, & what are acceptable methods for raising the top height of a stair rail that is too short?

A stair rail is a guard along the open side or sides of a stairway. [The stair rail or stair guard top rail is shown by the red arrows in our photo at the top of this page.]

Think guardrail for an open stair. In most specifications such as you'll see below, the height requirements for stair rails and handrails are identical. They differ only in graspability.

Watch out: If you build stairs with a non-graspable stair rail (guardrail along open stairs) you must provide a graspable handrailing and the dimensions, spacing, height, projection, etc. for handrails must still be maintained.

Railings in stair codes and specifications refer to the safety barrier along steps or stairs. Also see GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS for details about safety railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies - horizontal walking surfaces.

Railing Types - A Quick Guide

Photo: of stairs missing the stair guards: this three-flight stairway with two intermediate landings was seen in a home in Guanajuato, Mexico.

At least the upper landing is short, providing less than 36" in the direction of travel, but it is the complete absence of guard railings along this stair that are perhaps the more-serious hazard.

1. A guardrail is a safety railing or barrier located along a horizontal surface such as a balcony, deck, or porch. Details are
   
   at GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS - 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 - this article.
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

Detailed definitions of these three terms are

at RAILING CODES & STANDARDS

The 2006 IRC Section R202 these terms are defined clearly. We add some comments.

When are Stair Rails Required? How many steps, what total rise height requires a Stair Rail or Guard?

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 stair rails or stair guards (and also handrailings) on stairs that have a total rise of three feet or more.

Our photo above illustrates a stair that has no functional stair guard - none is installed along the open side of the stairs. The handrailing that is provided is un fortunately not usable: my left hand is on a hand railing too low to grasp when descending the stairs

OSHA Stair rail requirements & note that stair rails may serve as handrails, and vice-versa

Our photo (above 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.

When is a stair rail also an acceptable handrail?

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.

Stair Rail - Stair Guardrail Specifications from CA/OSHA Title 8 Section 1626

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.

Snag Hazards in Stair Railings or Stair Guards can contribute to falls

A 2013 survey of model residential building codes and building codes for several U.S. states (CA, CT, NY, PA) left us looking for expert citations warning about snag hazards caused specifically by snag hazards along stair railings or stair guards.

Rules for residential stairway handrailing are clear about handrail continuity, projections, smooth graspable surfaces, and returns. But model and state building codes that we surveyed did not explicitly address snag hazards built into the guardrail itself.

We did find some general references to stair rails (railings or guardrails, as distinct from handrails) that imply continuity and smoothness, and in OSHA regulations we can find rfeferences to avoiding snags along stair guards.

Please see SNAG HAZARDS on STAIRWAYS for details about this topic.

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

Don't Underestimate the Importance of Stair Railings or Guards

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.

Examples of Stair Rail or Stair Guardrail Safety Hazards

• Railing wrong height on stairs (above) or landing (at left) - too low to grasp or too high to grasp, or too low to prevent falling off of a platform, as I'm demonstrating in the right-hand photo above and in the stair landing photo shown here.
• Railing loose, not properly secured (litigation photos)
• Railing missing
• Railing wrong dimension - cannot grasp; railing does not permit continuous grasping over length

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 stairrail in stair fall injuries is underestimated or missed entirely by people investigating such accidents.

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

Reader Question: Is it "legal" for a basement stair to have no stair rails, stair guards, or 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.

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 newel post in our photo.

This is an unsafe stairway - it has no stair guard or stair rail along the open side of the stairway and it has and no handrailings on either side.

The rail and balusters that were removed and that previously formed both a stair rail and a handrailing 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 enclosed wall side of the stairs as well .

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.

 

More Photographs of Unacceptable / Unsafe Stair Rails or Stair Rail Tops Used as Handrailings

Explanation of non-graspable stair railings

The photographs below illustrate a non-graspable handrailing located along the stair rail or stair guard of an open stairway. While thumb and finger grooves were provided, the width of the stair rail top, intended to serve as a handrailing, is too great to be safely grasped.

...

Our stair handrail photograph (left) illustrates an attractive stainless-steel rail on a lower stairway in the New York City Metropolitan Opera building. As you can see from our model's hand on top of the railing, the width of this particular rail, roughly 6", is too great to be grasped and held on-to should a stair fall occur. A 2x6" shape on edge, is also not readily graspable.

As we cited in OSHA's guidelines above, and as you will read in every expert source on proper stairway rail top used as a handrail or "banister" design in our references at the end of this article, to be usable and functional, a handrailing must be of a size and shape than can be easily grasped, must be at the proper height above the steps (measured at the tread front nose), must be separated from the side wall (if present) at an adequate distance to permit the hand to grasp the railing, and must be continuous.

And of course the railing must also be secured soundly to the structure. If any of these features are violated the hand railing is unsafe.

An unsafe handrailing may go unnoticed for a long time, even years. But an improperly designed or installed handrail is likely to be discovered, and will contribute to the extent of injuries suffered by someone who slips, trips, or falls when using the stairs.

Too Wide or Too Fat Handrails Cannot be Grasped When Falling

One of my [DF] daughters fell down these curved stairs at the Galleria shopping mall (DC-NY) where the triangular tread hazard was combined with a beautiful, architect-designed stair rail that was about 8" in diameter (photo at left, red arrow) - she was unable to grasp it as she was falling.

The photo shows her older sister grasping an added handrail (green arrow) that appears to have been added on to correct this unsafe condition.

The original "fat" hand railing that no one could grasp when falling remains installed but we do not recommend relying on it.

...

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 also too low.

A Comparison of Building Codes Specifying Stair Rail (guard) 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 handrailings 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 Widths:

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 Heights:

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 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.

Stair Handrail requirements: "on each side"

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.

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 the ARTICLE INDEX the bottom of this article .

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.

What are the differences between guardrail heights and stair rail height requirements?

and what are acceptable methods for raising the top height of a stair rail 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:

We agree with your opinion that stair rails or guardrails in any location that are too short are a falling hazard. Height requirements vary by location and local code and heights of stair rails under 42" are permitted. But what the insurance company's statement leaves vague is how much less than 42" is an acceptable height for a stair rail or guardrail?

First we need to separate the requirements for guardrails - safety barriers along elevated horizontal walking surfaces from stair rails - safety barriers along the open sides of stairs or stairways.

Guardrail height requirements

• Pre-1970 Guardrail height codes (railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies that are more than 30" above floors or grade): required and must be => 36" high (prior to 1970 in many jurisdictions)
• Current Recommended Guardrail height requirement is 42-inches or higher above adjacent surfaces

Details about guardrails are

at GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS

Stair rail height requirements are different

Here are several references on stair rail height (where the top also is used as a handrailing) from our OSHA citation above:

• 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]).

If the top of the stair rail is to serve as a handrail along a stairway, here is a typical requirement for stair rails and stair rail top height if the top is being used as a handrailing:

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

and

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.

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 GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS

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).

...

Continue reading at GUARDRAIL & HANDRAIL STRENGTH & TESTING REQUIREMENTS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see GUARDRAILS on STAIRS, DESIGN FAQs - questions & answers about guards or balusters along stairways posted originally at the end of this page.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• GUARDRAILS, BALCONIES, DECKS, LANDINGS
• GUARDRAILINGS, BEST PRACTICES
• GUARDRAIL CONSTRUCTION, DECKS & RAMPS
• GUARDRAIL POST CODES & SPECS
• GUARDRAIL RAILING POST CONNECTIONS
• GUARDRAIL & HANDRAIL STRENGTH & TESTING REQUIREMENTS
• GUARDRAILs on STAIRS, CONSTRUCTION
• GUARDRAILS on STAIRS, DESIGN
• HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS
• STAIR CODES & STANDARDS - home
• STAIR CODE DETAILS

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GUARDRAILS on STAIRS, DESIGN 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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