Handrails on each side?

[SCBO1]

IBC2006,

Section 1009.10 Stairways shall have handrails on each side.

Section 1009.1, exception, allows a stair width to be reduced to 36" if the occupant load is less than 50. This is the case.

Q. I have an exterior exit stairway on a multi-family complex that is 48" wide requiring a minimum handrail or would it require two handrails?

and if it the stair width was 36" wide would it require two handrails? Section 1012.7, the handrail projection into the stair width cannot exceed 4.5". One handrail would give you 31.5". So a 36" wide stairway does not meet the code, correct? it would have to be wider for two handrails.

pc1

 

[Mac]

My 1012.7 allows each handrail to project 4.5 inches into the required width. Which leads me to believe that the 36" wide stairway with both rails would be OK.

Mac

 

[texasbo]

^Correct; each handrail can project 4.5". Two handrails required whether it's 48" or 36".

 

[tbz]

PC,

Each handrail is fine because you are on a stair flight, if this was a ramp, then you would be required to have 36" min between handrails.

Tom

 

[texasbo]

tbz, could we get a code section? I just see an allowance for 4.5" encroachment in 1012.7, without conditions.

 

[tbz]

TEX, my bad, had ADA on brain path when typed, the 36" clear between is on ADA ramps, not IBC, sorry.....

Tom

 

[JBI]

1012.7 Projections.

On ramps, the clear width between handrails shall be 36 inches (914 mm) minimum. Projections into the required width of stairways and ramps at each handrail shall not exceed 4.5 inches (114 mm) at or below the handrail height. Projections into the required width shall not be limited above the minimum headroom height required in Section 1009.2.

 

[steveray]

Very few IBC situations where one handrail is allowed (that I know of)

 

[fatboy]

Sum it up, R-2 common stairway, handrail required each side, 36" or 48", may project up to 4 1/2" each side into required width.