Hand rails are stable bars which are used to provide support and stability to people using stairs, the bathroom or a walkaway. In the US there are a number of rules and regulations concerning the use of handrails. Failure to implement handrails in the required areas could result in a hefty fine and also cause accidents. Read on to find out if your business needs to install more handrails for the safety of your employees.
There are several organizations that control and state the required dimensions and specifications for handrails in the United States, they are The International Code Council (ICC), The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and The Americans With Disabilities Act – Standards For Accessible Design (ADA SAD).
There are three main types of regulations for hand rails: the height of the rail, the circumference of the rail and the location of the rail in regards to it’s proximity to a wall. Handrails should be positioned between 34” and 38” heigh. If your property is used by a large number of children, such as a school or nursery, then a second hand rail should be installed that is 28” or lower. The hand rail diameter should be between 1 ¼” and 2”. There are several exceptions to this rule, if you handrail has larger diameters than stated above it must have finger recesses for easy grasping.
The National Fire Protection Agency provide fire safety regulations for hand rails. They state that there should be a minimum distance of 2 ¼” between the rail and the nearest wall.
Hand rails should also be designed so that they are stable and strong, and are able to support a load of at least 200 pounds and a pull of 50 plf. Generally handrails are made from steel or aluminium.
Disabled bathrooms are also required to have a handrail that is in reach of the toilet.
All the above specifications are the current requirements for handrails in the United States as of 2012. These rules and regulations are constantly being updated so it is best to check the current details to ensure you are following the up to date standards.
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