Are Handrails Required on Exterior Stairs to Office Buildings?

[arwat23]

I have a remodel project where we resurfaced an existing exterior office plaza. Think something like this, but smaller:


Plans approved, work basically done. The existing handrails were noted to remain, but have been removed by the owner. The AHJ hasn't called them out on that, but they're wondering if they could move the handrails to another, separate section of stairs and not have handrails on the closest stairs to the parking lot. If it were the image above, they want the handrails only on the stairs beyond the first column (left side of image), leaving the much wider set of stairs between the address sign and column without a handrail . There's an accessible ramp nearby with rails if that makes a difference.

My instinctual reaction is to say "no, keep the handrails where they were". Looking through code though, I can't seem to justify my "no" response. I'm not super familiar with the requirements for these types of stairs, or even if I'm looking in the right sections (interiors are more my thing), so I'm probably missing something very obvious. Any help would be appreciated.

2022 California Codes

 

[Joe.B]

1014.9 Intermediate handrails. Stairways shall have intermediate
handrails located in such a manner that all portions
of the stairway minimum width or required capacity are
within 30 inches (762 mm) of a handrail. On monumental
stairs, handrails shall be located along the most direct path of
egress travel.

 

[steveray]

If they are part of the egress to the public way…the handrails are required

 

[arwat23]

If they are part of the egress to the public way…the handrails are required

They're not a required part, but defiantly would be used as egress to the public way.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Handrails required. See post by Joe B., above.

If you have access to the ICC's IBC Commentary, that book has illustrations of how this relates to the required width and the "assumed natural path of travel." Figure 1014.9 in the 2021 IBC Commentary.

 

[arwat23]

Thanks all!

 

[MKALLAY]

Maybe also relevant, see 1004.7: "Yards, patios, occupied roofs, courts and similar outdoor areas accessible to and usable by the building occupants shall be provided with means of egress as required by this chapter." Which I have always taken to mean requirements for stairs, handrails, and guards apply also to such outdoor areas.

 

[Fred_F]

It sounds like keeping the handrails in their original location would be the safest choice, but if the AHJ hasn’t flagged it yet, you might need to check the specific code sections for exterior stairs. Since there's an accessible ramp nearby, it could affect the requirements, but it’s probably best to confirm with the AHJ before making any changes

 

[mark handler]

Wait for the lawyers and insurance companies to get involved, after a few slip and falls......

 

[mark handler]

Let us know where it is so we can cash in....

 

[Yikes]

Search the forum for old threads on “monument stairs”. Let us know what minimum width, if any is required on the monument stairs to achieve required means of egress from the facility.