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Thread: Handrail

  1. #1
    David Banks's Avatar
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    Default Handrail

    Handrail required at top right wall adjacent to winders of this rehab common area stairs?

    There is a guardrail down lower on left out of sight.

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    Last edited by David Banks; 04-27-2007 at 12:12 PM. Reason: More explanation
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  2. #2
    Michael Greenwalt's Avatar
    Michael Greenwalt Guest

    Default Re: Handrail

    R311.5.6.2 Continuity. Handrails for stairways 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.

    (2003 IRC)


  3. #3
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    Default Re: Handrail

    David,

    I just got in to the office from a condo inspection and when I saw your pic, I thought we'd been at the same place almost.

    Mine has a handrail though with the always wider than 4" openings.

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  4. #4
    David Banks's Avatar
    David Banks Guest

    Default Re: Handrail

    What do you think Rick. Handrail needed for the top winder? I think so.


  5. #5
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    Default Re: Handrail

    David,

    I always recommend that additional handrail needed for safety.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: Handrail

    David,

    First, I will start with Rick's photo because the angle shows the situation better, from there, what I say can be applied to your photo as applicable.

    Rick's photo needs the handrail to be continuous up and around the corner (around the winders) to the top riser.

    The handrail *could* have been installed on the other side (left side descending, however, the preferred location when just one handrail is installed is on the right side descending). The handrail would also have been more difficult to install there.

    Looks like they left 3 balusters out of Rick's guardrail.

    Those brackets on Rick's handrail are not allowed either. And, the end of the handrail must be returned (to the wall, preferably).

    Although the inside of the winders are not in the photo, my imaginary line tracing the nosing tells me that the winders might not, probably do not, meet the requirements for winders either.

    Your photo, as Rick said, almost looks like his stair from another perspective, only your stair has more problems, and verifies (as best I can see) that the winders do not meet the requirements for winders.

    Your stair needs everything I mentioned above for Rick's stair, plus the winders look wrong.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Handrail

    Do the openings between the balusters look more than (4) inches, and how about that light switch, it looks a bit low to me.

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    Last edited by Rick Hurst; 07-25-2007 at 06:54 PM.

  8. #8
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    Talking Re: Handrail

    Are you using body parts to qualify the 4 inch sphere rule for safety guards?
    The winders on that stair are bogus and what it needs is not a safety handrail but a safety net.

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  9. #9
    Philip Desmarais's Avatar
    Philip Desmarais Guest

    Smile Re: Handrail

    Rick,
    I looked and looked, and then I looked some more. I could not see any balusters or light switches.


  10. #10
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    Default Re: Handrail

    Phillip,

    Yeah I sad that I'm losing my summer helper. She was a great at taking down my notes as I walked through the house.

    Dress cool I always told her. I gets hot on some inspections especially in these foreclosures with no HVAC.

    Employees that pay attention is a great thing. Back to college she goes.


  11. #11
    Anthony Alderman's Avatar
    Anthony Alderman Guest

    Talking Re: Handrail

    Lucky dog you.....
    did you say she was an intern... hummmm


  12. #12
    Martin Baker's Avatar
    Martin Baker Guest

    Default Re: Handrail

    Hi Gents!
    In addition to the numerous railing defects noted, it is my belief that the winder tread can be no smaller than 6" in depth, at any location. Step treads that kill to nothing should be a thing of the past by now.
    Martin


  13. #13
    Chris Risby's Avatar
    Chris Risby Guest

    Default Re: Handrail

    Wow! That can be a bad fall! Yes!! Handrails needed!!


  14. #14
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    Default Re: Handrail

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Risby View Post
    Wow! That can be a bad fall! Yes!! Handrails needed!!
    I believe the air bags a the bottom would lessen the potential for injury, thus eliminating the need for handrails. It's a sub section of a sub section but an important rule nonetheless.


  15. #15
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    Default Re: Handrail

    Matt,

    Least it go unmentioned, don't forget subnote c to that last subsection which also includes 'sidecurtain air bags along the wall and floor air bag to fill the space between tread nosings which makes the stairs into a slip and slide instead of a bump-da-bump'.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

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