Replies

1. 
   andy_engel | Mar 02, 2009 05:26pm | #1

   Depends on the width of the stair, but generally for residential work you need one handrail. Commercial and public buildings differ.

   Google Stair Manufacturers Association. They've got a great illustrated guide to railing codes. Or buy my book. <G>

   Andy

   "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein (or maybe Mark Twain)

   "Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom

   "Everything not forbidden is compulsory." T.H. White, The Once and Future King

1. 
   curley | Mar 02, 2009 05:52pm | #2

   Thanks

2. 
   JeffinPA | Mar 06, 2009 03:14am | #3

   Residential under I think 5 foot is  one handrail but guards on any open side over 30" if I am remembering correctly.

   Normal 36"-42" stairs  is 1 handrail graspable (code is very specific but most standard  railings meet that code) continuous for the run of the specific stair (can stop at a landing and then continue again)

   All off of memory for IRC code.

1. 
   artacoma | Mar 06, 2009 05:07am | #4

   Over here (BC) its two handrails for stairs over 42 inches

1. 
   JeffinPA | Mar 07, 2009 09:28pm | #5

   Could be 2 rails for over 42 down here too but I never build over 42" stairs so never came up against it and did not open up my code book to see exactly what it says.