Handrails

[Don P]

I had a question this week about handrailing height. That is a loaded question!

This was my response;

R312 in the IRC is the main section. DCA6 from awc.org is a better resource and is referenced.

Semantics are critical on the plans and in understanding the parts.

Guards- What keeps you from falling off any raised surface more than 30" above a grade within 3' horizontally. Guards are not less than 34" tall. No opening can pass a 4" sphere, except the bottom triangle formed by guard bottom rail (if one) riser and tread, which must not pass a 6".

Handrails, the things we grab going up and down stairs, must be between 34-38" there are graspability limits, standoffs, etc... all that begins at R311.7.8

I'm welding up pipe railings for the porch I'm almost done with, new welder is due today, butt weld fittings so it is all the same diameter, smooth with no clunky threaded elbows etc.

The new welder arrived, I'm just doing flux core till I can set it up with a bottle. I'm not a welder by any stretch but so far I'm impressed with it;




I'm using scrap pipe from another job. Checking the graspability limits, the smallest round handrail can be no less than 1.25", a 1" pipe is around 1.35" dia so it works. I didn't want clunky threaded fittings so I ordered butt weld elbows.


There must be at least 1-1/2" hand space between the handrail and the wall or whatever is behind it, and it cannot project into the stairway more than 4-1/2".



That above is a return for the top, this is one for the bottom. Handrail ends must return to the post or wall, they cannot have an exposed end that can snag clothing.



I need to go check measures and see how these are fitting, I'll try to grab some guard pics while we're out.

[doc henderson]

good info.

[Don P]

We just went over with the handrails thus far and marked them up for the final cuts and ends.

I recruited Michelle to hold the other end. Everything installed thus far is a guard, there are no handrails yet. You can see the excepted 6" hole corner along the bottom rail and stairs, All else, if your feet are 30" or more off the ground, is 4" guarded.



These are guards up on the porch/deck. No holes bigger than 4", Top of guards are 36" so a common height and 2" above minimum.



I'm marking the upper handrail length, I'm getting ready to cut and weld those up. The line formed by the pipe is pretty much showing the line along the nosings that most vertical measurements are taken from ... the 34-38" handrail height is measured from that line. The 6'8" overhead clearance on stairs is from that line. I'm marking it up on that line cause it is easy. it will be lifted to 34" above that line and fastened when welded and painted. Experience tip ... uhh that would be this experience. I'm going to be tight getting that handrail fastened to meat at 34", there is no max height restriction on a guard, I should have run them down the stairs a little higher for that style attachment.

 
 

[Jim_Rogers]

Thanks for sharing that information.

Jim Rogers