What is the Diameter of Commercial Handrail?

1/24/2019 at 8:51:39 PM

Assuming Silver City is located in the Yukon, this is article 3.4.6.5.3 of the Alberta (and Canadian) Building Code:

Handrails shall be continuously graspable along their entire length and shall have

a) a circular cross-section with an outside diameter not less than 30 mm and not more than 43 mm, or

b) a non-circular cross-section with a graspable portion that has a perimeter not less than 100 mm and not more than 125 mm and whose largest cross-sectional dimension is not more than 45 mm.

The photo is of a handrail and it looks like the profile is Code compliant; however there is also a requirement that at least one handrail extend horizontally not less than 300 mm beyond the top AND the bottom of the stairway.

1/25/2019 at 9:43:51 AM

The Building Code only stipulated that the handrail must be of a certain height and be 'continually graspable' . From the picture it appears that the handrail meets that condition. Though I am a little unsure of the balusters.

The code requires that balusters must be designed so that at no point a 100mm sphere can pass between them. This is an important piece of code that addresses a child safety risk.

Hope this is helpful

1/25/2019 at 4:09:12 PM

there's glass in-between those rails.it's fine

1/25/2019 at 7:07:09 PM

The requirements for guards begin when the vertical drop exceeds 600 mm (2') - usually after the third step (normally around 8" per step). Therefore there is no protection required in this case as there appears to be only 3 risers total.

The information I gave you in the previous post is for a 'Part 3 building' based on your describing it as a 'commercial' building; however this is not enough description. If it is a 'Part 9 (small) building', different but similar Code articles apply and the 300 mm horizontal extension does NOT apply.