| Today's building
codes require most stairways to have at least one gripable handrail that
runs the continuous length of the stairway and extends at least 12
inches past the lower and upper steps.
The end of the handrailing shall return into the wall or terminate into
a new post. This is to prevent loose clothing, purses or other objects
from getting caught at the end of an open handrail.
There is an exception, no handrail extensions are required for private
stairs.
In the picture above, the stair handrailing runs continuous or the
entire length of the stairway. Since it falls under the exception, the
handrailing does not extend past the lower or upper stair treads, 12
inches.
Special Note: You're going to find this hard to believe, this individual
house had a continuous handrail, but the house next to it did not.
Again, check with your local Building and Safety Department, before you
build anything.
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| Lower Handrailing |
Upper Handrailing |
Gripable Handrail
Gripable
Handrail Size
Gripable
Handrail Height
Stairways
Requiring Only One Hand Rail
Stairways Requiring Hand Rail on Each Side
Three or More Handrails for Wide Stairways
Lower Handrail
Extension
Upper Handrail
Extension
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