GENERAL SITUATION
Handrails are essential for many less-ambulant and sight-impaired people and should always be provided on stairways and ramps. They should also be provided, where they can be a help, on outside walls and in corridors.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
- Handrails should be located in a consistent position throughout a building, they should be supported by handrail brackets and be colour contrasted to stand out from their background.
- The preferred height of handrails is 900 - 1100 mm on level ground and 1000 - 900 mm above pitch line on stairs and ramps. The rail itself should be 50 mm in diameter and be placed 75 mm clear of the wall. A non-circular rail should preferably be 50 mm wide by 38 mm deep, with rounded edges. A circular rail 40 - 45 mm in diameter.
- Handrails should be terminated by being turned into walls or, in conjunction with steps, they may be terminated by being turned down to floor or ground level.
- Outside, handrails and kerbs at a height of 100 mm should be provided at any changes in level and to slopes with a gradient of more than 1 in 20.
- Handrails should always be provided, however short the flight. Generally, where the width of a series of steps is greater than 1800 mm, then an additional handrail or handrails should be provided to divide the flight into separate channels.
CHECKLIST
- Are handrails provided throughout a building where there are steps or slopes? ( )
- Is there similar provision outside? ( )
- Are all such handrails at the right height? ( )
- Do handrails extend beyond the end of steps or slopes? ( )
- Can handrails be easily seen? ( )
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press,
DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
