Guardrails & Handrail Requirements

CODE SECTION: CRC R308.4.4.1, R311.7.8, R312, CA Historic Building Code 8-504

Handrails (CRC R311.7.8)

Handrails shall be provided on not less than 1 side of each flight of stairs with ≥ 4 risers.

Exempted stairways

  • Stairways not within or serving a building, porch or deck.
  • Stairways leading to non-habitable attics.
  • Stairways leading to crawl spaces.

Height

Handrail height, measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be 34 – 38".

Exceptions:

  • The use of a volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed over the lowest tread.
  • Where handrail fittings or bendings are used to provide a continuous transition between flights, transitions at winder treads, the transition from handrail to guard, or used at the start of a flight, the handrail height at the fittings or bendings shall be permitted to exceed 38".

Handrail Projection

Handrails shall not project > 4 ½" on either side of the stairway.

Exceptions:

  • Where nosing of landings, floors or passing flights project into the stairway reducing the clearance at passing handrails, handrails shall project not > 6 ½" into the stairway, provided that the stair width & handrail clearance are not reduced to less than required.

Handrail Clearance

Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space ≥ 1 ½" between the wall & the handrail.

Continuity

Handrails 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.

Exceptions:

  • Handrail continuity shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at a turn in a flight with winders, at a landing, or over the lower tread.
  • A volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed to terminate over the lowest tread.

Grip Size

Required handrails shall be of one of the following types or provide equivalent graspability:

  • Type I: Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of 1 ¼ - 2". If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter of 4 – 6 ¼" & a cross section of ≤ 2 ¼". Edges shall have a radius ≥ 0.01".
  • Type II: Handrails with a perimeter > 6 ¼" shall have a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile. The finger recess shall begin within ¾" measured vertically from the tallest portion of the profile & have a depth ≥ 5/16" within 7/8" below the widest portion of the profile. This required depth shall continue for not < 3/8" to a level that is not < 1 ¾" below the tallest portion of the profile. The width of the handrail above the recess shall be 1 ¼ - 2 ¾". Edges shall have a radius ≥ 0.01".

Alternating Tread Devices

Handrails shall be provided on both sides of alternating tread devices & shall comply with Sections R311.7.8.2 – R311.7.8.6. Handrails shall be uniform & 30 – 34" in height.

Ships Ladders

Handrails shall be provided on both sides of ships ladders & shall comply with Sections R311.7.8.2 – R311.7.8.6. Handrails shall be uniform & 30 – 34" in height.

Guardrails (CRC R312)

Where Required

Guards shall be provided for those portions of open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, ramps & landings that are located > 30” measured vertically to the floor or grade below at any point within 36” horizontally to the edge of the open side.

Height

Required guards at open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, porches, balconies or landings, shall be ≥ 42” in height as measured vertically above the adjacent walking surface or the line connecting the nosings.

Exceptions:

  • Guards on the open sides of stairs shall have a height ≥ 34” measured vertically from a line connecting the nosings.
  • Where the top of the guard serves as a handrail on the open side of stairs, the top of the guard shall be 34 - 38” as measured vertically from a line connecting the nosings.

Opening Limitations

Required guards shall not have openings from the walking surface to the required guard height that allow passage of a 4” sphere.

Exceptions:

  • The triangular openings at the open side of stairs, formed by the riser, tread & bottom rail of the guard, shall not allow passage of a 6” sphere.
  • Guards on the open side of stairs shall not have opening that allow passage of a 4 3/8” sphere.

Structural Glass Baluster Panels

Guards with structural glass baluster panels shall be installed with an attached top rail or handrail. The top rail or handrail shall be supported by ≥ 3 glass baluster panels, or shall be otherwise supported to remain in place should 1 glass baluster panel fail.

Exception:

An attached top rail or handrail is not required where the glass baluster panels are laminated glass with ≥ 2 glass plies of equal thickness and of the same glass type.

 

Revised April 1, 2023

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