And another handrail question - Help me decipher Gorgia code - InspectionNews

Bob White · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 04:12 PM

The house was built under the 2000 IRC with Georgia amendments.

The code (my bold) reads:

"R315.1 Handrails. Handrails having minimum and maximum heights of 30 inches and 38 inches, respectively, measured vertically from the nosing of the treads, shall be provided on at least one side of stairways of 30 inches or more in height. Spiral stairways and winders shall have the required handrail located on the outside radius. All required handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs excluding the landings. Ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails projecting from a wall shall have a space not less than 1 1/2 inches between the wall and the handrail.

Exception:
1. Handrails shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at a turn.
2. The use of a volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed over the lowest tread.
3. Handrails may be interrupted within the width of a tread where the wall configuration changes."

Does the change in direction of the wall constitute a "wall configuration change?"

Scott Patterson · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 04:18 PM

You need a continuous handrail for what you are showing in that picture. What you are showing in the picture does not qualify as a landing.

It could stop in the corner and the start back up to go the other direction. The corner is the wall configuration change.

Jerry Peck · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 07:08 PM

Scott,

You are 'mostly' correct.

"
Exception:
3. Handrails may be interrupted within the width of a tread where the wall configuration changes.
"

"
It could stop in the corner and the start back up to go the other direction. The corner is the wall configuration change
"

"It could stop in the corner ", nope, because it says "Handrails may be interrupted within the width of a tread ", and that corner is 'at the corner of the tread'.

The lower handrail would need to, at a point directly above that top riser in the lower flight of stairs, turn horizontal along with the winder, jog up vertically at the corner, turn back horizontal along with the next winder, then, at a point above the lower riser in the upper flight of stairs, the handrail would need to meet with the upper handrail.

Or, they could make the handrail continually sloping from a point above the top riser in the lower flight to a point above the bottom riser in the upper flight, but ... that would take a lot of work and still keep the handrail within its allowable height range (if that is even possible).