Can I put handrails on both sides of my standard enclosed stairway

4 years ago

Dad is coming back from rehab with a bum leg they suggested putting up handrail on both sides of his stairs. He's in a split there's five steps up and down only one handrail there now. if I put a second rail up is that up to code... it just feels like even though it's a standard with stairway it gets a little narrow for Mom brings up and down laundry in her basket... I'm not sure. Also if it is legit I'll put them up and install them correctly so they turn into the wall ..if it can only be a temporary thing until he rehabs I'm not going to go crazy doing that.. again is there anything wrong with having two rails on a stairway inclosed by walls on each side ...standard width

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Comments (4)

PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
4 years ago
If you looking for code compliance this is the code.

R311.7.1 Width.

Stairways shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height. Handrails shall not project more than 4-1/2 inches (114 mm) on either side of the stairway and the clear width of the stairway at and below the handrail height, including treads and landings, shall be not less than 31-1/2 inches (787 mm) where a handrail is installed on one side and 27 inches (698 mm) where handrails are provided on both sides.

Exception: The width of spiral stairways shall be in accordance with Section R311.7.10.1. (relates to spiral stairways)

As the mom goes, and if it's narrow now it will be more narrower if you add another handrail.

If your father needs both rails temporary, bring the laundry down for your mother until he gets better and can get away with one handrail and you carry the laundry down for your mother (should be doing that in any case...Just saying)

If he needs both rails permanently perhaps it's time for a change in living arrangement where there is no stairs at all... I know it's not an easy change, but this is a common concern at a certain point in life for some of the customers I encounter.

Good luck and I hope he feel better.
Bob F
4 years ago
first thanks for the quick response. second, mom is stubborn ...she's not going to wait for me to take laundry up and down but I think we found a a better way that was suggested by the rehab .. simply put your laundry in the laundry bag and toss it to the bottom of the five steps. I'm in my fifties and I'm thinking of doing us myself at my house..seems like a good idea.

3rd I think Dad is just thinking that maybe having two rails will be safer in the long run for both of them. Should he be in a single level home.. yes....is he going to do that., no...is he in his right mind ... yes so there's nothing I can do about it LOL...Let's just say he is a very young 80 always on the go. This was his first stumble in the 80 years in his first time in the hospital . I'm thinking in the end maybe the additional banisters can come back down.

to be honest I suspect when they sell their home either he or the new owner probably will need to remove all banisters ensure that the new ones are at the proper height and turn into the wall. for now we I think we might just put a additional banister up open-ended to match the other one until his leg is fully healed. that could be another four to six weeks. then likely take them down and it'll be back to the way it was.

how to use the code you posted though to check and see if what he has there now is even at the right height I'm very curious... the home was built in the 80s.
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PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
4 years ago
I know the stubbornest you talking about, dealing with that often myself LOL... as the old saying goes " you can't stop an old dog from barking"

As there railing goes, the height for a graspable handrail should be anywhere from 34-38".

Here is pretty much everything related to handrail code.

R311.7.8 Handrails.

Handrails shall be provided on not less than one side of each continuous run of treads or flight with four or more risers.

R311.7.8.1 Height.

Handrail height, measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm).

R311.7.8.2

Continuity. Handrails for stairways shall be continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 11/2 inches (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails. Exceptions: 1. Handrails shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at the turn.

R311.7.8.3 Grip-size.

Required handrails shall be of one of the following types or provide equivalent graspability. 1. Type I. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of not less than 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 61/4 inches (160 mm) with a cross section of dimension of not more than 2-1/4 inches (57 mm). Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm). 2. Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than 6-1/4 inches (160 mm) shall have a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile. The finger recess shall begin within a distance of 3/4 inch (19 mm) measured vertically from the tallest portion of the profile and achieve a depth of not less than 5/16 inch (8 mm) within 7/8 inch (22 mm) below the widest portion of the profile. This required depth shall continue for not less than 3/8 inch (10 mm) to a level that is not less than 13/4 inches (45 mm) below the tallest portion of the profile. The width of the handrail above the recess shall be not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not more than 23/4 inches (70 mm). Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).

Good luck
Bob F
4 years ago
tx...we ended up redoing them..turning each into the wall..we will see how it goes...tx again.

Can I put handrails on both sides of my standard enclosed stairway

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GN Builders L.L.C

Bob F

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