Top Extension at Stairs | UpCodes (2024)

FAQs

Top Extension at Stairs | UpCodes? ›

At the top of a stair flight, handrails shall extend horizontally above the landing

Can handrail extensions wrap or turn? Handrail extensions must be in the same direction as the stair flight, but continuous handrails can wrap at the inside turn of switchback or dogleg stairways.

Handrails must be installed on both sides of stairs and ramps. They are usually added on either side of stairways, ramps, ramped aisles, and stepped aisles. And, as mentioned, they must have a uniform height between 34-38 inches. The minimum clearance between handrails and other objects should be 2.25 inches.

(Title 24, Part 2, Section 3305(o).) (h) Headroom. Every required stairway shall have a headroom clearance of not less than 6 feet 6 inches. Such clearances shall be established by measuring vertically from a plane parallel and tangent to the stairway tread nosing to the soffit above at all points.

Handrail extensions are typically required in commercial construction. The purpose of a handrail extension is to provide additional assistance in the transition between the handrail and a level surface. (Image A – small “P” extensions returning to the post on a ramp).

At and below the handrail height, the required width of the stairway, including treads and landings, is only 27 inches (686 mm) if handrails are installed on each side, and only 31-1/2 inches (800 mm) if there is only one handrail installed.

At the bottom of a stair flight, handrails shall extend at the slope of the stair flight for a horizontal distance at least equal to one tread depth beyond the last riser nosing. Extension shall return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight.

Where handrails are not continuous between flights, the handrails shall extend horizontally not less than 12 inches (305 mm) beyond the top riser and continue to slope for the depth of one tread beyond the bottom riser.

The specific threshold may vary, but it's common for handrails to be required for stairs with three or more steps. However, some codes may require handrails for two-step stairs as well. Stair Height: Building codes may also consider the overall height of the staircase when determining the need for a handrail.

The Reality: It Depends!

You might also consider that most of the population is right-handed, so making a right-sided handrail is often a smart choice. When in doubt, you can't go wrong by installing a handrail on both sides of the stairway.

Do I need a railing on both sides of my stairs? ›

Both the ADA and OSHA require public and private spaces to have handrails on both sides of a stairwell. This is because for people with balance and mobility issues, leaning on a wall to maintain their balance is simply not a safe way to navigate a stairwell.

Stairs should have a minimum of 2m clear head room (H) over the entire length and width of the stairway and landing, as measured vertically from the pitch line or landing. Staircases should have the minimum width as required by the relevant Building Regulations.

The OSHA stair headroom clearance requirements are found in OSHA 1910.25 – Stairways: 1910.25(b)(2) Vertical clearance above any stair tread to any overhead obstruction is at least 6 feet, 8 inches (203 cm), as measured from the leading edge of the tread.

Top Rail. A top rail is the upper, bar-like component of a railing. It runs parallel to the floor and sits atop balusters/spindles.

Handrail is to be between 34” and 38” inches from surface (ground/ramp/sidewalk). Place handrail at 36”. Posts (uprights/verticals) must be no more than 8' feet apart from center to center of each post.

Railing extensions are used when you need to modify and customize the beginning and end conditions of a railing in your model. By default, a railing is defined by the start and end points of the sketch line used to define it.

A common question from homeowners looking for mobility solutions is “Can stair lifts turn corners?” In short, yes! When a stairway curves or turns corners, we can design a stair lift that will curve with it.

❖ The required handrail is to be continuous for the length of the flight.

Changing the direction of the staircase undoubtedly involves making alterations to the floor the staircase leads to. Therefore, you'll need the skills of a professional carpenter and builder to change the arrangement of the floor.