brudgers said:
NFPA 101 7.2.2.4.4.5 [2003] requires 2 1/4" clearance between the handrail and wall to which it is fastened. Some people will "grasp" a handrail with a closed fist, or the stump of an amputated limb.
Now don't start muddying the water with the NFPA position.
The 2-1/4" clearance between the wall and handrail was the original proposal to ANSI, ADA and ICC. The justification presented was in regards to falls not graspability.
Most injuries on stairs are still related to non-use of handrail. The scenario presented was that someone, not grasping a handrail, who trips while on stair, will reach out to grasp the handrail. Their hand will have fingers extended horizontally in this situation. The proponent felt that the wall clearance needed to be 2-1/4 inches to allow clearance for that person's outspread fingers -- the 1-1/2 inch clear would result in finger tip impact and negate the ability to grasp the handrail.
Not enough evidence was presented to support this concept so the request to extend the minimum from 1-1/2 inches to 2-1/4 inches was denied in the ICC, ANSI and ADA.
However, the proponent of this change was able to get NFPA to accept the change for NFPA 5000. When NFPA 5000 didn't gain acceptance, it became part of NFPA 101.
Attempts to get the NFPA to change it back to match up with the others have failed but not because of the finger extension issue or the use by someone with an amputated limb. Fire fighters prefer the 2-1/4 Inch minimum because it provides clearance for their heavy-weight gloves. For that reason, it will never be rolled back at this point.
So it is now not uncommon to have situations arise where a building inspector approves a railing install based on the 1-1/2 inch minimum only to have the fire inspector reject because it does not meet the 2-1/4 inch minimum . And, until the recent ADA update, you also had a situation where the 2-1/4 inch minimum was in conflict with ADAAG which required a 1-1/2 inch absolute dimension between wall and handrail.