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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    Default Hand rail question.

    When are two (2) hand rails required.
    I gleaned 311.5.6 Handrails but I can not see or missed the codified experience.

    I am also ill which makes making funny allot harder.
    But do not get me wrong, if there is a will there is a way.

    That being said, looking on Google I ran across many InspectionNews threads on the codification for stairs.
    Geez Louise, you guys split hairs a lot and tenderise the posters.

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    Crawl Space Creeper
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Default Re: Hand rail question.

    Under the IRC - two handrails are not required.

    Under the IBC - two handrails are always required* where handrails are required.

    *Except within dwelling units. (There may be other exceptions I'd have to check on.)

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

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Hand rail question.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    Under the IRC - two handrails are not required.

    Under the IBC - two handrails are always required* where handrails are required.

    *Except within dwelling units. (There may be other exceptions I'd have to check on.)
    Thanks, Jerry.
    It's for the building's,condo, fire egress.
    No fire extinguishers.
    Missing in 50% of the building's I inspect.

    Robert Young's Montreal Home Inspection Services Inc.
    Call (514) 489-1887 or (514) 441-3732
    Our Motto; Putting information where you need it most, "In your hands.”

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
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    Default Re: Hand rail question.

    Don't know about where you guys are but around here 2 handrails required, i.e. one along each side of stairs if stairs over 44" wide (pretty sure that's the width, would have to look up)
    Intermediate handrail if stairs over 96" wide? once again would have to look up but pretty sure 96" wide

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  5. #5
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    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Hand rail question.

    Quote Originally Posted by Markus Keller View Post
    Don't know about where you guys are but around here 2 handrails required, i.e. one along each side of stairs if stairs over 44" wide (pretty sure that's the width, would have to look up)
    Intermediate handrail if stairs over 96" wide? once again would have to look up but pretty sure 96" wide
    Even in dwelling units (single family, townhouses, condo units themselves)?

    Not referring to condo areas outside each condo unit.

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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
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    Default Re: Hand rail question.

    I didn't read the OP's question as being occupancy specific. I just read it as a general stair rail question. Obviously requirements vary between occupancies.

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
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    Default Re: Hand rail question.

    Intermediate handrails, in addition to the two required for (basically specking) ... other-than-dwelling units and buildings constructed under the IRC ... depends on the occupant load.

    Example might be something like this: occupant load requires the egress width to be 60 inches, an intermediate handrail is required to be within 30 inches:
    - the egress width is 60 inches, thus no additional handrail required other than handrails on each side
    - the egress width is 72 inches, one intermediate handrail is required
    - the egress width is 84 inches, one intermediate handrail is required
    - the egress width is 120 inches, one intermediate handrail is required

    The reason only one intermediate handrail is required in the above example is that the occupant load only requires a 60 inch width, and the additional intermediate handrails are not based on the actual width of the egress but on the "required width", and the "required width" (in the example) is only 60 inches ... no matter how wide the egress is ... the "required width" does not change.

    That is why you can have a 50 foot wide stair with a handrail at each side and only one, maybe two, intermediate handrails across the entire 50 foot width of the stair - its based on the "required width".

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

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