
Grooves help but don't eliminate the hazard - for oversized stair rails simply can't be grasped securely. If the horizontal profile of a stairway handrailing is too fat (we give an example below, thumb
Perimeter larger than 6" must have a graspable finger recess (see details at the ASM document link below). Rectangular shaped: perimeter must be between 4" and 6.25". Wood oblate shaped: <= 2.25" across widest dimension. Metal ogee shaped: <= 2.25" across widest dimension. Round rails: between 1.25" and 2" in diameter. Profiles & Dimensions of Graspable Handrailings Dimension Specifications for Graspable Handrails: recap It's not a great handrailing to prevent a fall.ĭefinition: Graspability of a handrail refers to the ability to get a secure hold onto a handrailing whose purpose, after all, is both to guide a walker along a stair or other surface and to prevent or perhaps to interrupt slip trip and fall hazards. Beautiful, this handrailing reflects the Moorish affection for water. Shown above/left: a water-filled handrailing along a stairway at the Alhambra in Spain. While graspability of handrails naturally focuses on the profile or shape and dimensions of a handrailing, the spacing of the handrail from the wall, its height, continuity, and other features also will interfere with the ability of a person to securely grasp a handrailing when she wants to or needs to in an effort to prevent or arrest a fall. If a railing cannot be securely gripped it is unsafe. The intent of a handrail is to provide a handgrip for people using a stairway. Hold On! Handrailing & Railing Graspability Requirements, Codes, Hazards
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 include descriptions & definitions of graspability for handrailings, and we illustrate safe and unsafe, graspable and not-graspable handrailings in sketches, photographs, and building code citations.
used on stairs, balconies, decks, ramps, walks. Handrailing graspability: this article explains and illustrate the requirements for graspable handrails & 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. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest.