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Communicating Stair handrails

architecting philly said:
I'm kidding of course. Look in the code commentary book I think its 1011.11. I don't have the ability to post the language on here.
Click to expand...
I was unable to find it either. If you post the section and the code year, I can find it and post it here. I did find this in the 2021 IBC:

​

1014.6​

Handrails shall return to a wall, guard or the walking surface or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent flight of stairs or ramp run. 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. At ramps where handrails are not continuous between runs, the handrails shall extend horizontally above the landing 12 inches (305 mm) minimum beyond the top and bottom of ramp runs. The extensions of handrails shall be in the same direction of the flights of stairs at stairways and the ramp runs at ramps.

Exceptions:

  1. Handrails within a dwelling unit that is not required to be accessible need extend only from the top riser to the bottom riser.
  2. Handrails serving aisles in rooms or spaces used for assembly purposes are permitted to comply with the handrail extensions in accordance with Section 1030.16.
  3. Handrails for alternating tread devices and ships ladders are permitted to terminate at a location vertically above the top and bottom risers. Handrails for alternating tread devices are not required to be continuous between flights or to extend beyond the top or bottom risers.
❖ The purpose of return requirements at handrail ends is to prevent a person from catching an article of clothing or satchel straps, or from being injured by falling on the extended end of a handrail.

The length that a handrail extends beyond the top and bottom of a stairway, ramp or intermediate landing where handrails are not continuous to another stair flight or ramp run is an important factor for the safety of the users. An occupant must be able to securely grasp a handrail beyond the last riser of a stairway or the last sloped segment of a ramp. Handrail terminations that bend around a corner do not provide this stability; therefore, the handrail must extend in the direction of the stair flight or ramp run. The handrail extensions are not required where a user could keep his or her hand on the handrail, such as the continuous handrail at the landing of a switchback stairway or ramp (see Section 1014.2, Exception 1).

For stairways, handrails must be extended 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally beyond the top riser and sloped a distance of one tread depth beyond the bottom riser. For ramps, handrails must be extended 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally beyond the last sloped ramp segment at both the top and bottom locations. These handrail extensions are not only required at the top and bottom on both sides of stairways and ramps, but also at other places where handrails are not continuous, such as landings and platforms. These requirements are intended to reflect the current provisions of ICC A117.1 (see Commentary Figure 1014.2) and the 2010 ADA Standards. Note that if the handrail extension is at a location that could be considered a protruding object, the handrail must return to the post at a height of less than 27 inches (686 mm) above the floor (see Sections 1003.3.2 and 1003.3.3).

In accordance with Exception 1, handrail extensions are not required where a dwelling unit is not required to meet any level of accessibility (i.e., Accessible unit, Type A unit or Type B unit). Handrail extensions are permitted to end at a newel post or turnaround.

Exception 2 provides for handrails along ramped or stepped aisles in assembly seating configurations, such as in sports facilities, theaters and lecture halls. It is necessary to limit handrail extensions in assembly aisles so that circulation in cross aisles that run perpendicular to the stepped or sloped aisles is not compromised.

Exception 3 allows for the unique construction considerations for alternating tread devices and ship's ladders. Again, usage of these devices is very limited. Since alternative tread devices and ship's ladders are typically utilized as a safer alternative to a vertical ladder, they are often located in tight spaces where traditional-type stairs cannot be used or are not required. With a much steeper angle than traditional stairs and differing usage, handrail extensions and continuity provisions are not practical.
 
Mr. Inspector said:
If not a part of an accessible means of egress I still don't see how the handrail extensions are required on the top and the bottom of a flight if there is no adjacent flight of stairs to continue too.

2018 IBC 1014.6 Handrail extensions. Handrails shall return to a wall,
guard or the walking surface or shall be continuous to the
handrail of an adjacent flight of stairs or ramp run. 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. At ramps where handrails are
not continuous between runs, the handrails shall extend horizontally
above the landing 12 inches (305 mm) minimum
beyond the top and bottom of ramp runs. The extensions of
handrails shall be in the same direction of the flights of stairs
at stairways and the ramp runs at ramps.
Exceptions:
1. Handrails within a dwelling unit that is not required
to be accessible need extend only from the top riser
to the bottom riser.
2. Handrails serving aisles in rooms or spaces used for
assembly purposes are permitted to comply with the
1029.16.
3. Handrails for alternating tread devices and ship’s
ladders are permitted to terminate at a location vertically
above the top and bottom risers. Handrails for
alternating tread devices are not required to be continuous
between flights or to extend beyond the top
or bottom risers.
Click to expand...

The code section you quoted is in chapter 10, not chapter 11, so it is not limited to accessible means of egress. I don't see how it could be any more clear:

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. At ramps where handrails are
not continuous between runs, the handrails shall extend horizontally
above the landing 12 inches (305 mm) minimum
beyond the top and bottom of ramp runs. The extensions of
handrails shall be in the same direction of the flights of stairs
at stairways and the ramp runs at ramps.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, that section just tells you that if it sticks out, make it cane detectable. It does not permit this installation, actually makes it less tenable because they are showing that they expect stair rails to protrude into circulation paths sometimes, which is why they would have to be cane detectable.

Hopefully the inspectors and their bosses know they took an L on this one and will do better in the future... it happens. The problem is that the contractor will do this again next time because there were no consequences, they won't even remember this was a problem.
 
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redeyedfly said:
@architecting philly
OUCH!! You just get crushed every time you come back. Your plucky resilience is adorable though, misguided as it is.
Click to expand...
Yankee Chronicler said:
The code section you quoted is in chapter 10, not chapter 11, so it is not limited to accessible means of egress. I don't see how it could be any more clear:
Click to expand...
1725060872917.png

The way you make it more clear is to provide the code section in context, which means including exception #1:
Exceptions:

  1. Handrails within a dwelling unit that is not required to be accessible need extend only from the top riser to the bottom riser.
So from this we conclude that chapter 10 does not require handrail extensions for purposes of means of egress.
From 1009.1 we find out that AMOE is only required from accessible spaces.
IBC chapter 11 is for spaces required to be accessible.

Re-reading the posts, architecting philly is convinced that this multistory unit has zero scoping requirements to be accessible according to the applicable codes and regulations. If that scoping is correct, then the plucky resilience is both adorable, well-guided and commendable.

There is some confusion because the images provided show the kind of drafting graphics associated with accessible doors. In subsequent posts, the OP is expressing doubt that it was appropriate for the original drafter to have shown accessibility clearances on a unit with zero accessibility requirements.

What I see in the responses is a bunch of people dog-piling on, quoting Chapter 11 code sections that do not apply to the interior of a non-covered multifamily dwelling unit that has zero other requirements to be mobility accessible or adaptable. If you're really in the mood to challenge architecting philly, why aren't you starting with scoping first, so see if chapter 11 is even appropriate for this particular space?
 
My 2 cents.... A stair is a stair ... by definition either exit access or interior exit stair and handrails are required at both types with extensions on the top and bottom period that must go in the direction of egress. If the wall line adjacent does not include room for a return it is a bad design and the extension/s will extend into egress path. A failure in design does not lead to an exception in code end of story.
OP regardless if your inspector passed this in the field or not it doesn't meet code. Imagine for a moment you are blind and walking along and your cane hits a stair riser... you reach out for what should be an extension but it's not there... now imagine doing that blind with a fire alarm going off. Get it? There's a reason these things are ALWAYS done a certain way and not open to options or opinions
 
This seems like a design opportunity - the handrail return can be designed to not catch or trip someone. People are able to navigate these all the time.
And a 7 ft wide hallway or corridor isn't all that narrow.

One option would be to use alternate colored/textured flooring to denote the landing area and zone of the handrail if you think it is a hazard.
 
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