Section 1014—Handrails.
1014.2 Height and location. Handrails serving flights of stairways, ramps, stepped aisles, and ramped aisles shall comply with the provisions of Sections 1014.2.1 and 1014.2.2.
1014.2.1 Height.Handrail height, measured above stair tread nosings, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be uniform, not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm). Handrail height of alternating tread devices and ships ladders, measured above tread nosings, shall be uniform, not less than 30 inches (762 mm) and not more than 34 inches (864 mm).
EXCEPTIONS: | 1. Where handrail fittings or bendings are used to provide continuous transition between flights, the fittings or bendings shall be permitted to exceed the maximum height. |
| 2. In Group R-3 occupancies; within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; and in Group U occupancies that are associated with a Group R-3 occupancy or associated with individual dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; where handrail fittings or bendings are used to provide continuous transition between flights, transition at winder treads, transition from handrail to guard, or where used at the start of a flight, the handrail height at the fittings or bendings shall be permitted to exceed the maximum height. |
| 3. Handrails on top of a guard where permitted along stepped aisles and ramped aisles in accordance with Section 1030.16. |
1014.2.2 Lateral location. Handrails located outward from the edge of the walking surface of flights of stairways, ramps, stepped aisles, and ramped aisles shall be located within 6 inches (152 mm) measured horizontally from the edge of the walking surface. Handrails projecting into the width of the walking surface shall comply with Section 1014.8.
1014.8 Projections. On ramps and on ramped aisles that are part of an accessible route, the clear width between handrails shall be 36 inches (914 mm) minimum. Projections into the required width of stepped and ramped aisles, flights of stairways and ramps at each side 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 1011.3. Projections due to intermediate handrails shall not constitute a reduction in the egress width. Where a pair of intermediate handrails are provided within the stairway width without a walking surface between the pair of intermediate handrails and the distance between the pair of intermediate handrails is greater than 6 inches (152 mm), the available egress width shall be reduced by the distance between the closest edges of each such intermediate pair of handrails that is greater than 6 inches (152 mm).
[Statutory Authority: RCW
19.27.031 and
19.27.074. WSR 23-23-106, § 51-54A-1014, filed 11/15/23, effective 3/16/24.]
