Are handrails required in elevators

[Examiner]

Looked in the 2006 IBC in Elevator chapter, ANSI A117.1 and 2010 ADA and did not find the reason if any for handrails in elevators. From research they are not required by ADA to be mounted per ADA heights.

So where is it addressed that one or more handrails are required in elevators? I think back years ago, handrails in elevators were required for people to hold on to incase of elevator slipage or falling.

Any input would be welcome.

 

[Coug Dad]

I believe it is in the elevator code.

 

[Examiner]

Can someone provide me a copy of the text where it is mentioned in the elevator code? Our office does not have a copy of that code.

 

[steveray]

"incase of elevator slipage or falling."

If that is the case....I am going to be way to busy kissing my butt goodbye to look for handrails!.....

 

[gbhammer]

ANSI A17.1 Section 5.8 SHIP BOARD ELEVATORS 5.8.1.10

Cars shall be fitted with at least one handrail.

Only on ship board elevators is a handrail required, can't find it any where else.

 

[mark handler]

Though Many disabled people rely heavily upon handrails to maintain balance and prevent serious falls, I do not ever remember seeing it in the Icode. If provided it must comply.

California

CBC 1116B.1.11 Handrails. A handrail shall be provided on one wall of the car, preferably the rear. The rails shall be smooth, and the inside surface at least 11/2 inches clear of the walls ata nominal heightof 32 inches from the floor. Nominal equals ± 1 inch. Thirty-two inches is required to reduce interference with car controls where the lowest button is centered at 35 inches above floor.

 

[Coug Dad]

From the 2010 elevator code:

2.14.1.9 Equipment Inside Cars 2.14.1.9.1 Apparatus or equipment not used in connection with the function or use of the elevator shall not be installed inside of any elevator car, except as follows:

(a) Support rails (handrails) are permitted.

 

[Examiner]

Thanks to all. The limited amount of internet search I could do, did have one comment regarding accessibility; the handrails in elevators are there to aid some people with stability while standing. However, still did not find any type of statement that stated they are required on one or three walls. I have seen statements that they are to be on three walls but nothing to back up the comment to any Codes.

2010 ADA 403.6 Advisory box; does not require elevator handrails to comply with handrails on walking surfaces. Therefore, the mounting height could be lower than handrails used for walking surfaces. Nothing else in ADA references handrails in elevators.

Per Cough Dad's post it appears that the handrails are not a specific requirement unless they are provided.

 

[Coug Dad]

I knew I ran into handrail requirements before.

Washington State:

WAC 296-96-02530 Agency filings affecting this section

What requirements apply to the size and location of car handrails?

A handrail must provide coverage lengthwise at least ninety percent from wall to wall.

(1) A handrail must be installed on all car walls not used for normal exits. The handrails must be:

(a) Attached to the wall at a height of between thirty-two and thirty-five inches from the floor.

(b) Attached to the wall with a 1-1/2 inch space between the wall and the rail;

© Constructed with the hand grip portion not less than 1-1/4 inches but not more than two inches wide;

(d) Constructed with a cross-section shape that is substantially oval or round;

(e) Constructed with smooth surfaces and no sharp corners. Approaching handrail ends on a blank wall in the interior corners of a car do not have to return to the wall. However, if the handrail is located on the closing door wall of a single-slide or two-speed entrance elevator and it projects an abrupt end towards people entering the car, the handrail end must return to the wall.

(2) Residential elevators must have at least one handrail. The handrail must be installed on a car wall not used for normal exits.

EXCEPTION: Special purpose elevators are exempt from this section.

 

[Examiner]

Well it appears that the State of Washington has it nailed down. However, if the elevator code is not state specific and does not contain any local changes; what does it say about the handrail in an elevator cab? YES required and if so how many or NO not required.

Are we back to what you posted earlier?

2.14.1.9 Equipment Inside Cars 2.14.1.9.1 Apparatus or equipment not used in connection with the function or use of the elevator shall not be installed inside of any elevator car, except as follows:

(a) Support rails (handrails) are permitted.

The elevator vendors are hard to track down and are not answering calls unless it is a maintenance call.

 

[JBI]

They are convenient, but I don't believe they are required.

 

[peach]

leave it to the elevator inspector - don't speculate. ASME 17 covers everything about the car construction (and the elevator manufacturers know that particular code).

 

[Mule]

Could it be because of the glass or mirrors that are in them sometimes? The contractor may not want to use safety glazing or whatever and the amount of square footage of the glass/mirrors may require a bar and they opt for a rail instead!

 

[Examiner]

As surprising as it may be there are some states/cities and towns that do not have elevator inspectors. I had one Elevator Maintenance Contractor trying to tell a school district that the elevator in one of the buildings had to be brought up to current code. The Building Official had not cited such a requirement. It met code when it was installed a few years ago. The Elevator Maintenance Contractor was just trying to drum up business using scare tactics.

 

[mark handler]

Could it be because of the glass or mirrors that are in them sometimes? The contractor may not want to use safety glazing or whatever and the amount of square footage of the glass/mirrors may require a bar and they opt for a rail instead!

Isn't Glazing below the handrail still required to be safety glazing?

 

[Mule]

I believe the code says if it is not safety glazing then a bar must be installed. I don't think any part hast to be safety glazing IF a bar is installed.

2406.4 Hazardous locations. The following shall be considered

specific hazardous locations requiring safety glazing

materials:

7. Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel, other

than in those locations described in preceding Items 5

and 6, which meets all of the following conditions:

7.1. Exposed area of an individual pane greater than 9

square feet (0.84 m2);

7.2. Exposed bottom edge less than 18 inches (457

mm) above the floor;

7.3. Exposed top edge greater than 36 inches (914

mm) above the floor; and

7.4. One or more walking surface(s) within 36 inches

(914mm)horizontally of the plane of the glazing.

Exception: Safety glazing for Item 7 is not

required for the following installations:

1. A protective bar 11/2 inches (38 mm) or

more in height, capable of withstanding a

horizontal load of 50 pounds plf (730

N/m) without contacting the glass, is

installed on the accessible sides of the

glazing 34 inches to 38 inches (864 mm

to 965 mm) above the floor.

 

[mark handler]

If it is a , It must be SAFETY GLAZING

2406.4 Hazardous locations.

7 does not apply, for Guards, use 8

8. Glazing in guards and railings, including structural baluster panels and non structural in-fill panels, regardless of area or height above a walking surface.

 

[righter101]

As surprising as it may be there are some states/cities and towns that do not have elevator inspectors. I had one Elevator Maintenance Contractor trying to tell a school district that the elevator in one of the buildings had to be brought up to current code. The Building Official had not cited such a requirement. It met code when it was installed a few years ago. The Elevator Maintenance Contractor was just trying to drum up business using scare tactics.

As surprising as it may be, our entire jurisdiction doesn't even have an elevator that I know of (other than a few private residences).

Heck, we don't have any stop lights.

 

[peach]

except maybe for NYC who had a woman crushed between the car and the shaft yesterday.. who needs elevator inspections?

 

[lpoplar]

I have always thought that handrails are important for any elevator sets as they are part of the regular requirement for the handicapped to maintain balance, and should there be falls or slips, that will help the person stand up.

We have always followed that to the letter and I am just puzzled with this recent development though much could be my fault as well.