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Handrails for wide ramp

retire09

Silver Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2010
Messages
365
Location
Alaska
If a ramp is 12' wide is it still only required to have one handrail on each side 12' apart or does a portion of this ramp have to have handrails 36" apart so both hands may be used?
 
1009.11 Handrails.

Stairways shall have handrails on each side. Handrails shall be adequate in strength and attachment in accordance with Section 1607.7. Handrails for ramps, where required by Section 1010.8, shall comply with this section.

I don't see where ramps are treated any differently than stairs.....
 
1010.9 Handrails.

Ramps with a rise greater than 6 inches (152 mm) shall have handrails on both sides. Handrails shall comply with Section 1012.

While I agree with Steve Ray, I do see some potential problems with requiring intermediate handrails on wide ramps....... 1.) Section 1012 specifically states stairways in the section about intermediate handrails. Ramps are left out in this section.

If I do install intermediate handrails on aramp, wouldn't I also be required to install wheel curbing at the 4 inch height to prevent a runaway wheel chair from strangleing the occupant........

just food for thought....
 
steveray said:
1009.11 Handrails. I don't see where ramps are treated any differently than stairs.....
One difference

STAIRS ONLY, NOT RAMPS

1012.9 Intermediate handrails. Stairways shall have intermediatehandrails located in such a manner that all portions of the stairway width required for egress capacity are within 30 inches of a handrail. On monumental stairs, handrails shall be located along the most direct path of egress travel.
 
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