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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Georgia
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    2

    Default Stair Hand Rail Configuration

    What are the requirements for a hand rail on the out side of a stairway. currently as you walk down the stairs the rail is a 2x6 with 2x6 exterior posts. As you walk down holding the rail when you come to a post you need to let go and regain your grip once you're past the vertical post. Isn't the rail supposed to be continuous without impediments from top of rail to the bottom of rail?

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Capistrano Beach, CA
    Posts
    1,510

    Default

    Hi Scott Crouse and welcome to InspectionNews!

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  3. #3

    Default Re: Stair Hand Rail Configuration

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott Crouse View Post
    What are the requirements for a hand rail on the out side of a stairway. currently as you walk down the stairs the rail is a 2x6 with 2x6 exterior posts. As you walk down holding the rail when you come to a post you need to let go and regain your grip once you're past the vertical post. Isn't the rail supposed to be continuous without impediments from top of rail to the bottom of rail?
    You're correct. Here's the city of Portland OR code, based on IRC. Further to this, and not mentioned in the quoted section - is that a handrail can terminate at each landing, where a new handrail needs to begin again for the next flight of stairs.

    "Handrails
    ? Stairways must have a handrail if the stairway has more than three risers.
    ? Handrails may project over stairs by 41/2 inches maximum on each side of thestairway.
    ? Handrails must be continuous for the full length of the stairs. They must turnback into the wall or butt into a post so that purse straps and clothing won?tget caught behind them and cause a fall.
    ? Handrails attached to the wall must have a space between the wall and therail of at least 11/2 inches to provide a grippable surface.
    ? Handrails on the open side of a stairway must meet guardrail requirements.
    ? The height of handrails is measured straight up from the nosing of the treadsto the top of the handrail. A handrail along a wall must be between 30 inchesand 38 inches high.
    ? A round handrail must have a diameter no smaller than 11/4 inches and nolarger than 2 inches, so that it can be easily and securely gripped. Other handrailshapes are allowed, if the perimeter dimension is at least 4 inches and not morethan 61/4 inches, with a cross section dimension not more than 21/4 inches."

    Tim Kaiser, Nitty Gritty Inspections, LLC
    Home and small commercial inspections for Central Oregon
    http://nittygrittyinspections.com/index.html

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Stair Hand Rail Configuration

    You described more than just what you are thinking about:

    - 311.7.8 Handrails.
    - - Handrails shall be provided on not less than one side of each flight with four or more risers.
    - - R311.7.8.1 Height.
    - - - Handrail height, measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm).
    - - - Exceptions:
    - - - - 1. The use of a volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed over the lowest tread.
    - - - - 2. Where handrail fittings or bendings are used to provide continuous transition between flights, transitions at winder treads, the transition from handrail to guard, or used at the start of a flight, the handrail height at the fittings or bendings shall be permitted to exceed 38 inches (956 mm).
    - - R311.8.2 Handrail projection.
    - - - Handrails shall not project more than 4 1/2 inches (114 mm) on either side of the stairway.
    Exception: Where nosings of landings, floors, or passing flights project into the stairway reducing the clearance at passing handrails, handrails shall project not more than 6 1/2 inches (165 mm) into the stairway, provided that the stair width and handrail clearance are not reduced to less than that required.
    - - R311.7.8.3 Handrail clearance.
    - - - Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails.
    - - R311.7.8.4 Continuity.
    - - - Handrails 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. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals.
    - - - Exceptions:
    - - - - 1. Handrail continuity shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at a turn in a flight of winders, at a landing, or over the lowest tread.
    - - - - 2. A volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed over the lowest tread.
    - - R311.7.8.5 Grip-size.
    - - - Required handrails shall be of one of the following types or provide equivalent graspability.
    - - - - 1. Type I. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of not less than 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of not less than 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 6 1/4 inches (160 mm) with a cross section of dimension of not more than 2 1/4 inches (57 mm). Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).
    - - - - - 2. Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than 61 /4 inches (160 mm) shall have a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile. The finger recess shall begin within a distance of 3/4 inch (19 mm) measured vertically from the tallest portion of the profile and have a depth of not less than 5/16 inch (8 mm) within 7/8 inch (22 mm) below the widest portion of the profile. This required depth shall continue for not less than 3/8 inch (10 mm) to a level that is not less than 1 3/4 inches (45 mm) below the tallest portion of the profile. The width of the handrail above the recess shall be not less than 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) and not more than 2 3/4 inches (70 mm). Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).
    - - R311.7.8.6 Exterior plastic composite handrails.
    - - - Plastic composite exterior handrails shall comply with the requirements of Section R507.2.2.

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

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