What is ADA railing?

Asked by: Kitty Bell

ADA Standard. Recommendations. Handrail is to be between 34” and 38” inches from surface (ground/ramp/sidewalk). Place handrail at 36”. Posts (uprights/verticals) must be no more than 8′ feet apart from center to center of each post.

What is code for top of handrail?

between 34″ and 38″

On a stair, since handrail must be between 34″ and 38″, the handrail and the top of the guard can be one and the same. In commercial applications, the IBC requires a minimum height of 42″. On stairs, once there is a 30″ drop, a handrail will be required and placed between 34″ and 38″ above the nosing.

What is the allowable range for the diameter of a handrail?

505.7.
Handrail gripping surfaces with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) minimum and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum.

What is the proper height for a handrail and How Is It Measured?

Handrails should be no less than 34 inches above the stair or ramp and no more than 38 inches above. If you are working with alternating tread devices or ship ladders, you should measure above the tread nosings. The handrail should be between 30-34 inches above.

What is the best height for a handrail?

The top surface of the handrail should be between 34 and 38 inches above the floor, or above the Nosing Line. Some installation guides suggest marking the height by measuring from the nosings of the steps.

What is OSHA standard for handrail?

The top rail must be at least 42 inches in height (§1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B)) and the handrail must be 30 to 38 inches in height (§1910.29(f)(1)(i)) (as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the rail).

What makes a handrail ADA compliant?

The handrail must be at a consistent height with the top of the gripping surface between 34 to 38 inches above the walking surface, stair, or ramp. In our experience, regulators recommend splitting the difference (36 inches) if there is any confusion about the proper height.

What is ADA handrail height?

between 34 inches and 38 inches

Handrails are required on both sides of stairs and ramps. They are placed between 34 inches and 38 inches above the leading edge of a stair tread, the ramp surface, or the walking surface. Where children are the primary users of a facility, the ADA recommends a second handrail for children.

What side of stairs does handrail go on?

The handrail can be on either side of the stairs as long as it continuously runs the entire length of the stairs. Building codes require a guardrail if there is a drop that is more than 30 inches in order to prevent serious falls.

Do you legally have to have a handrail on stairs?

Handrails are mandatory. Stairs should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than one metre wide, and on both sides if wider than this. Handrails should be placed between 900mm and 1000mm above the highest point on the staircase steps.

How many steps before you need a handrail?

Building Codes
The building code does not refer to the number of “steps” but it does require a handrail when there are two or more “risers”. For clarification, a “riser” is the vertical portion of a stair. The “tread” is the top of a step. A two riser minimum would translate to two steps.

What is the legal gap between stair spindles?

The building regulations state that a 100mm sphere cannot pass through any opening and this includes between spindles. So your maximum space between spindles is 99mm.