A handrail is a rail that is designed to be grasped by the hand so as to provide stability or support. Handrails are commonly used while ascending or descending stairways and escalators in order to prevent injurious falls. Handrails are typically supported by posts or mounted directly to walls. Similar items not covered in this article include bathroom handrails—which help to prevent falls on slippery, wet floors—other grab bars, used, for instance, in ships' galleys, and barres, which serve as training aids for ballet dancers. Guard rails and balustrades line drop-offs and other dangerous areas, keeping people and vehicles out.
History
The oldest known handrail was uncovered by French archaeologist Pierre St. Jamaine in an Assyrian ruin in southern Iraq in the city-state Nippur.
Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than shall provide a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile. The finger recess shall begin within a distance of measured vertically from the tallest portion of the profile and achieve a depth of at least within below the widest portion of the profile. This required depth shall continue for at least to a level that is not less than below the tallest portion of the profile. The minimum width of the handrail above the recess shall be to a maximum of. Edges shall have a minimum radius of.
Handrails are located at a height between. In areas where children are the principal users of a building or facility, the 2010 ADASAD recommends that a second set of handrails at a maximum height of measured to the top of the gripping surface from the ramp surface or stair nosing can assist in preventing accidents.
Clearance (US)
The distance between the wall and handrail gripping surface is also governed by local code with the most common requirement being minimum. The National Fire Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that the distance between the wall and handrail be a minimum of. The 1992 Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines stated that there was to be an absolute dimension of between a handrail and a wall. This was actually a "grab bar" dimension which was part of the 1986 ANSI A117.1. ANSI changed the notation to minimum in 1990. This was not corrected in 2010 with the approval of the new ADASAD which now calls for a minimum clearance. Codes also generally require that there be a clearance between the underside of the handrail and any obstruction—including the horizontal bracket arm. There is an allowance however for variations in the handrail size—for every of additional perimeter dimension over, may be subtracted from the clearance requirement.
Strength (US)
Handrails are to support a continuous load of or a concentrated load of applied at the top of the handrail.
ADA height notations
Adult requirements
Top of gripping surfaces of handrails shall be between vertically above walking surfaces, stair nosings, and ramp surfaces. Handrails shall be at a consistent height above walking surfaces, stair nosings, and ramp surfaces.
Child recommendation
When children are the principal users in a building or facility, a second set of handrails at an appropriate height can assist them and aid in preventing accidents. A maximum height of measured to the top of the gripping surface from the ramp surface or stair nosing is recommended for handrails designed for children. Sufficient vertical clearance between upper and lower handrails, minimum, should be provided to help prevent entrapment.
