How high should a handrail be on outside steps?
How high should a handrail be on outside steps?
Handrail height on the stairs should be no less than 34 inches and no greater than 38 inches. The way this is measured is to begin at the leading edge of the stair nosing and run an imaginary vertical line upward until it reaches the top of the railing.
Do I need a handrail for 5 steps?
Commentary: Handrails are required on all stairs more than four risers in height. Handrails cannot be less than 30 inches nor more than 42 inches above the nosing of the treads (see Figure PM-702.9).
How do you build a simple porch rail?
Step-by-Step Instructions for Building DIY Porch Railings
- Gather the tools and materials.
- Lay it all out.
- Cut the top and bottom rails.
- Cut the balusters.
- Pre-drill holes in railings.
- Pre-drill holes in balusters.
- Attach balusters to the top rail.
- Attach the bottom rail to balusters.
Should handrail be on right or left?
When it comes to which side railings should go, we don’t talk about it in terms of the left or right sides. Instead, handrails should always, first of all, go on the open side of the staircase. As you may have guessed: the open side means the side that doesn’t have a guarding wall.
Does my porch need a railing?
In most cases, you are required to have a railing when the floor of your porch is 30 inches or more above grade. However, 30 inches can be a long to fall; therefore some codes may require railings if your porch is 15 or 24 inches above grade.
Do I need a handrail for 2 steps?
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. A two riser minimum would translate to two steps. Be aware that not all applications must meet building code.
Is it a legal requirement to have a handrail?
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 exterior steps require a handrail?
The general rule for exterior steps is that railings are required if there are four or more steps. There are also specific requirements for just what constitutes a handrail. For example, a 2-by-4 is not considered a handrail because it cannot be safely gripped.
What is the required height for outside step rails?
In general, the railing for exterior stairs should be around 36 inches high. Most building codes require handrails for exterior stairs to be between 34 inches and 38 inches above the stair nosings. This means that a handrail’s height is measured from the top of the stair treads, or horizontal stepping members.
What is the importance of using stairs handrails?
The importance of handrails is generally put down to safety, using rails on stairs can stop people from tumbling down them. Stairs than don’t have rails can be dangerous for anyone, especially young and old people.
Are handrails required on three steps?
If you have just a step or two without a handrail, you may not be required to add one. Three stairs or more may require a handrail, whether that’s because of state regulations or lender standards.