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Handrail
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Handrails, banisters, or railings are in place in stairways to provide guidance. They are designed to be grasped by the hand while ascending or descending the stairs.
The term banister is actually just a misunderstanding, as a banister is not the correct name for the handrail used to guide one down a set of stairs. The handrail is held up by 'balusters', and the actual name of the handrail is a balustrade. The word banister has come from the word baluster, as people have muddled up the name over time, and the word banister has been coined for the old balustrade.
Also, handrails serve as entertainment for skiers, snowboarders, skateboarders and other extreme sport participants. Said participants slide or "grind" down handrails with their equipment performing such tricks as switch-ups, 270's and lipslides. They are also enjoyed by many people outside the extreme sports area as a popular place to slide down.
According to most building codes, handrails are located at a height between 34" (864 mm) and 38" (965 mm) and have dimensional limitations regarding graspability. In areas where children are the principal users of a building or facility, the 2004 Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) recommends that a second set of handrails at a maximum height of 28" (711 mm) measured to the top of the gripping surface from the ramp surface or stair nosing can assist in preventing accidents.
Handrail dimensions: Most commercial building and accessibility codes now agree on definitions regarding graspability of a handrail. It is either a circular cross section with an outside diameter of 1-1/4" (32 mm) minimum and 2" (51 mm) maximum or a non-circular cross section with a perimeter dimension of 4" (100 mm) minimum and 6-1/4" (160 mm) maximum and a cross section dimension of 2-1/4" (57 mm) maximum.
The International Residential Code (IRC) does allow for handrails with a perimeter dimension greater than 6-1/4" (160 mm)if a graspable finger recess area is provided on both sides of the profile.
Handrail clearance The distance between the wall and handrail gripping surface is also governed by local code with the most common requirement being 1-1/2" (38 mm) minimum. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)requirement requires that the distance between the wall and handrail be a minimum of 2-1/4" (57 mm).
