What is the difference between a handrail and a stair rail when are they required?
2 min read
Asked by: Steven Insorn
Handrails on stairways: At least one handrail. Stairs wider than 44 inches must have a handrail on each side. Stairs wider than 88 inches must also have a handrail down the middle of the stairway. There must be a stair rail at each open side.
What is the difference between handrail and railing?
A handrail can be made of a variety of materials. It can either be attached to a wall, extend from the side of the stair rail, or sit on top of the balusters (vertical posts) on the open side of a staircase. A railing is the barrier which prevents people from falling off the side of the stairs.
What is the difference between a handrail and a banister?
The banister consists of many vertical columns or solid parts located on the sides of the stairs. The banister under the stairs is located under the handrails, and its main purpose is to prevent people from falling from the sides of the stairs or ramps for safety reasons.
What is difference between handrail and balustrade?
A balustrade is a railing (handrail) and the row of balusters (posts) that support it. And yes, it is spelt “balustrade”, although it is commonly misspelt as ballustrad, ballustrade or balluster. A balustrade can also be known as railing, rail, banister, handrail and parapet.
Is a bannister a handrail?
Handrails are commonly known as bannisters or bannister rails. Bannisters are designed to act as a support structure when people climb stairs. They can be built into the design of a staircase or can be attached to walls to act as support for when people climb them.
Which side should handrail be on stairs?
Standard building codes do not state a requirement for what side a handrail should be placed for residential structures. The handrail can be on either side of the stairs as long as it continuously runs the entire length of the stairs.
Why are railings important?
To Help People Balance on Steps and Platforms: When a person loses balance on the stairs or suffers from muscle weakness, they may cling to the railing. Railings provide stability, which is especially important for young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
What does Balustraded mean?
1 : a row of balusters topped by a rail. 2 : a low parapet or barrier.
