It is required on stairs with two or more risers and ada ramps with a rise of 6.
Stair handrail requirements ibc.
The international code council icc is a non profit organization dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design build and compliance process.
Handrail and guard definitions handrail the purpose of a handrail is to provide guidance.
These are two model codes and are offered as suggested guidelines for local code authorities to follow at their discretion.
In commercial applications handrail is required on both sides of stairs and ramps.
Irc stair railing code.
However the very minimum width between handrails is 44 inches.
Summary of code requirements for residential stairs.
Handrail height measured above stair tread nosing s or finish surface of ramp slope shall.
Stairways within dwelling units are permitted to have handrail on one side only 3.
Handrails must be between 30 and 38 inches as measured from the leading edge of the stair tread.
Ibc 1011 11 key exception.
Ramps with a rise greater than 6 shall have handrails on both sides.
1014 2 handrail height measured above stair tread nosings or finish surface of ramp slope shall be uniform not less than 34 inches 864 mm and not more than 38 inches 965 mm.
Handrail and stair rail systems if a stair has a minimum of four risers a handrail is required.
This is to ensure a child s head cannot pass through any section of the stairway landing or platform.
Maximum 4 1 2 inch handrail projection into stairway width on either side.
And ibc compliant stairs can t have any gaps between those handrails or guards that could allow a four inch sphere to pass through.
Stair rail system.
The international codes i codes are the widely accepted comprehensive set of model codes used in the us and abroad to help ensure the engineering of safe sustainable affordable and resilient structures.
While the finer details will ultimately be influenced by your local government s building regulations the international building code the international residential code and the standards set by the americans with disabilities act of 1990 maintain that exterior stairs that are a required point of egress in other words stairs that must be crossed on your way in and out of the building.
The international residential code for one and two family dwellings irc and the international building code ibc address staircase railings.
Minimum 36 inch clear width for stairway.
Top rail may also serve as handrail if height of the system is between 36 and 38 inches.
Commercial stairways 2015 ibc section 1011.
You must calculate the ibc stair width for multi story stairways versus single story stairways.
Therefore let us recap on the residential stair code requirements.
Handrails are not required on walking surfaces with running slope less than 1 20.
For open sided walking surfaces like stairs and elevated platforms handrails and guards are mandatory.