MiketheEngineer (Structural) 12 Jan 12 16:29 Yes - I know you don't want to see a performance thru guardrails and sometimes I don't like pumping gas in a thunderstorm or lighting B-B-Q fires. OSHA Railing requirements for Load: Railings must meet a 200-lb concentrated load. Stairways that end at a landing surrounded by walls or at a building floor are likely to have their handrails stop too at each level. This is more than the 1.50" the IBC requires for accessibility. TREADS must support ≥ 1,000 lb, minimum depth ≥ 9.5”.
For example, stairs manufactured with a 45-degree stairway rise must have a minimum rise and tread of 8.75 inches each. Explore Your Options at Aluminum Handrail Direct. Handrails cannot be less than 30 inches nor more than 42 inches above the nosing of the treads (see Figure PM-702.9). Commentary: Handrails are required on all stairs more than four risers in height. • Stair rail system: • Top rail may also serve as handrail if …

The rationale for this additional requirement is that the handrail is provided to guide an individual up or down the stair, while the stair rail—effectively guardrail—is provided for fall protection. The building code requirement for stair railings typically requires handrailings on stairs that have a total rise of three feet or more. In recognition of the fact some existing handrails are set at heights above 34 inches (see 55 Federal Register 13374), the proposal included grandfathering provisions, under which existing handrails would be acceptable if not more than 42 inches nor less than 30 inches above the tread, and an existing stair rail could also serve as a handrail if its height is not more than 42 inches nor less than 36 … Then the rail along stairs to the next floor will begin anew.

RAILINGS open-sided stairs < 44” require 1 stair rail/side; open-sided stairs > 44” require 1 stair rail and 1 separate handrail/side Working on and around stairways and ladders is hazardous. Handrails on stairways: Each flight of stairs having at least four risers and three treads must have: • At least one handrail. OSHA will deem those stairs in compliance if they meet the dimension requirements specified in Table D-1 of this section or they use a combination that achieves the angle requirements of paragraph (c) (1) of this section. RAILINGS open-sided stairs < 44” require 1 stair rail/side; open-sided stairs > 44” require 1 stair rail and 1 separate handrail/side HEIGHT CLEARANCE minimum 6’6” … • Stairs wider than 88 inches must also have a handrail down the middle of the stairway. OSHA Standard . When the top edge of a stairrail system also serves as a handrail, the height of the top edge shall be not more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stairrail system to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.