a building component or a system of building components located at or near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to a lower level. Definition of guardrail or guard - guards along horizontal walking surfacesĪ Guard is a building component or a system of building components located near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to a lower Watch out: If you build stairs with a non-graspable stair rail (guardrail along open stairs) you must provide a graspable handrailing and the dimensions, spacing, height, projection, etc. They differ only in graspability.ĭetails about stair rails or stair guards are at STAIR RAILS, STAIR GUARDS. In most specifications such as you'll see below, the height requirements for stair rails and handrails are identical. Definition of stairrail or stair rail systems - guards along stairwaysĪ stair rail is a guard along the open side or sides of a stairway.
CODE COMPARISONS for HAND RAILINGS - which model building code or state code says what about handrail requirements?.CODES for GRASPALBLE HANDRAILS & STAIR RAILS.DEFINITIONS of Guardrail, Handrail, & Stair Rail.Comparison of Building Codes Specifying Hand Railing Requirements Article Contents Stair Handrail Dimensions & Shape - A Photo Guide to Unacceptable / Unsafe Handrails. Unsafe or Non-Functional Handrails & Stair Railings Contribute to Stair Falls & Injuries. What are the Definitions of Guardrail, Handrail, & Stair Rail & How do These Differ? When are Handrailings Required? How many steps, what total rise height requires a handrail? Stair rail requirements, when, where, why stair rails (guards) may serve as handrails, and vice-versa.Ĭodes for Handrails Along Stairs & for Stair Rails Along Open Stairways as Guards. Railings in all of these categories are a critical safety feature on outdoor and indoor stairs, and ramps, both as graspable handrails to guide a user or to protect against a stair-fall, and as are guardrails along stairs, landings, platforms, decks, porches, and similar structures. This article explains and illustrate the requirements for safe, usable railings used inside or outside buildings, including guardrails, hand railings on steps and stairs, and stair rails or stair guards for both interior and exterior stairways.
Railing Specifications & Defects & important distinctions among guardrails, handrails, & stair rails We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.
This article series provides building code specifications, sketches, photographs, and examples of stair & railing safety defects used in inspecting indoor or outdoor stair railings or handrails and related conditions for safety and proper We explain the difference between a handrail, a stair rail and a guardrail, and we provide specifications and building code specifications & sketches of proper, safe, and improper, unsafe handrails and other types of railings. Railings used on stairs, balconies, decks, ramps, walks: We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest.