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Handrails on ramps <6" tall

  • Thread starter Thread starter hunter
  • Start date Start date
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hunter

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Hi All--

This is my first real post in the new forum (vs. the ICC forums)...a big thanks to whomever is running this, because the old forums & this new one are really helpful! I apologize for being a 'lurker'--I just don't feel like I know enough to contribute much...

I'm throwing this out to you all in the off chance that someone has an interpretation from the ICC or a section of commentary concerning IBC 2006 Section 1010.8. Specifically, whether or not a handrail is required on a ramp less than 6" in height?

Here's the story...we've designed a theater that has some very minimal ramps & aisles. I'm not concerned about the aisles (there are no issues there...), but on the ramps, both of which are less than 6" in height, our building official is requiring a handrail. I've asked him to point out the text in the IBC 2006 that requires a handrail, and his response is that if a ramp is greater than 6", two are required and therefore, if it's less than 6", it must need one. I think that this is a bit of a stretch--in my mind, if one was required, it would have been stated.

I just don't see anything in either the code or the commentary (or ANSI A117.1, for that matter) about a handrail being required for a ramp less than 6". He won't accept anything less than an interpretation from the ICC or something written in a code or commentary. I don't have a copy of 2009 commentary--does anyone know if it's addressed? I'm suspicious that he's asking for something written from the ICC because he knows full well that we can't wait for that process... Normally, I might not fight as hard, but adding handrails and extensions on one side of these ramps either make them very obtrusive to natural circulation patterns or will affect the sound system for the theater (in front of a sub-woofer)...

I was surprised that he's holding such a hard line on this item--in the past, we've had a great relationship with this building department and they've been very reasonable to work with...

By all means, if you think I'm off base, call me on it. :)

Thanks in advance for any ideas you might have.
 
Do you have a ramp by definition?

RAMP. A walking surface that has a running slope steeper than one unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope).

I believe he is wrong in his interpretation.
 
Great point! One of them is 1:20, the other one is 1:12. I may be able to ask him to remove the requirement for the 1:20 ramp (which is the more problematic of the two.) That is, if he's even willing to discuss it again...

Thanks!!!!!
 
I still think the 1:12 ramps does not need handrails if the elevation change is not greater than 6 inches. A walking surface not steeper than 1:20 is an accessible route and not a ramp.
 
* *

hunter,

Welcome to the codes forum! :) This site is our new home! Please

give thanks to Jeff Remas, ...he is the one who paying for this site.

* *
 
Welcome to the forum...........I also disagree with his call on the handrail(s), rise less than 6", handrails not required.
 
Is the "ramp" truely a ramp per Section 1010, which would not require a handrail if less than 6 inches or is the "ramp" part of a ramped aisle per Section 1025.13 which could require a handrail. The allowable slopes also varies between a ramp and a ramped aisle.
 
The ramps are independant of our aisles. The 1:20 ramp is at a low platform for a speaker (just 5.75" tall.)

We've got a 1:23 ramped aisle up to an intermediate flat area (for accessible seating). The second ramp connects to this flat area (just 5" high). Then we've got another ramped aisle at 1:15.

Everything is pretty low-sloped and should be easily navigable...at the expense of some of the sight lines...we just didn't have much vertical space to work with...
 
ANSI 405.8 Handrails. Ramp runs with a rise greater than 6 inches (150 mm) shall have handrails complying with Section 505.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG)

http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#4.8

4.8.5* Handrails. If a ramp run has a rise greater than 6 in (150 mm) or a horizontal projection greater than 72 in (1830 mm), then it shall have handrails on both sides. Handrails are not required on curb ramps or adjacent to seating in assembly areas. Handrails shall comply with 4.26 and shall have the following features:

(1) Handrails shall be provided along both sides of ramp segments. The inside handrail on switchback or dogleg ramps shall always be continuous.

(2) If handrails are not continuous, they shall extend at least 12 in (305 mm) beyond the top and bottom of the ramp segment and shall be parallel with the floor or ground surface (see Fig. 17).

(3) The clear space between the handrail and the wall shall be 1 - 1/2 in (38 mm).

(4) Gripping surfaces shall be continuous.

(5) Top of handrail gripping surfaces shall be mounted between 34 in and 38 in (865 mm and 965 mm) above ramp surfaces.

(6) Ends of handrails shall be either rounded or returned smoothly to floor, wall, or post.

(7) Handrails shall not rotate within their fittings. Appendix Note
 
hunter welcome to the site.

Don't know where you are from (may want to add that to your profile) or if your state has an adopted their own ADA.

As Mark pointed out above 6" or over 6 ft would require handrails in a few states that I'ved worked in.
 
Hi Hunter. Welcome to the forum.

In addition to what mark posted above, there's actually some really good text in the IBC about it. The ANSI standard is clear but you can only use that when it's required by the IBC. The ADA doesn't require handrails but that's not the building code. In the 2006 edition Section 1003.5 sets it out really clear.. I've underlined the sentence that's applicable.



1003.5 Elevation change.




Where changes in elevation of less​


than 12 inches (305 mm) exist in the means of egress, sloped



surfaces shall be used. Where the slope is greater than one unit



vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope), ramps complying



with Section 1010 shall be used.

Where the difference in



elevation is 6 inches (152 mm) or less, the ramp shall be



equipped with either handrails or floor finish materials that



contrast with adjacent floor finish materials

.




So, either put in the handrail or else mark the floor in a contrasting manner.

​
 
Thanks, everyone, for all of the great input!

This last section 1003.5 is particularly interesting because I had completely overlooked it (and the code official had not cited it, either.) Looks like we're OK on our 1:20 "walking surface", but have some decisions to make on our 1:12 ramp.

A big thanks, too, to Jeff Remas for running this forum--it's such a great way to get different opinions!
 
Just in case anyone is wondering...the building official came around and, on the 1:20 walking surface, nothing was required (which was great because it would have caused multiple design problems.) On the 1:12 ramp, we ended up with a contrasting carpet color and no handrails. An easy fix & it keeps hip-grabber handrails out of the traffic patterns...

Thanks again, everyone, for your input--it led us to a great compromise!
 
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