Continuous Stairway Handrailing
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.
Lower Handrailing Section
Upper Handrailing Section
Attention: Don't forget to check with your local building department to verify any building codes on this website. This information could be incorrect or outdated.
- One Handrail Entry Stairs
- Gripable Handrail
- Lower Handrail Extension
- Upper Handrail Extension
- Gripable Handrail Size
- Gripable Handrail Height
- Gripable Stair Banisters
- Stairways Requiring Only One Hand Rail
- Stairways Requiring Hand Rail on Each Side
- Three or More Handrails for Wide Stairways
- Maximum Handrail Projection
Back To Stairway Building Codes