According to OSHA standards, your aluminum stairs will require handrails if they rise more than 30 inches or have four or more risers. These handrails should be built well to provide a protective design for everyone who uses them. You can ask us at REDD Team about getting new aluminum stairs with handrails ready for your space to create a safe and secure spot for people to go up and down.
How Many Handrails?
You’ll require handrails on any side of the aluminum stairs that might be unprotected. For example, if there’s a stairwell attached to the side of a building, you’ll require one handrail for the exposed spot that isn’t protected. You can still add a handrail on the side of the building for extra traction if you wish.
In many cases, you’ll require handrails on both sides, including when planning a stairwell that goes in one direction or starts away from the entrance. REDD Team will help you plan aluminum stairs with handrails based on how you will install the entire body.
How High Should the Handrails Be?
When planning your steps, you must also review the height of the handrails. The handrails on your stairs should be 30 to 37 inches in height, measured from the bottom of the step to the top part of the rail. The standard is based on OSHA rules.
This height allows an average person to easily go up and down the steps. When the handrails are high enough, the person using the steps should not struggle with them.
What About Posts In the Middle?
You can also get posts to appear in the middle of your handrails. A support post should appear midway between the bottom and top parts of the handrail to create a barrier to keep people from trying to slip through the space.
Additional vertical posts can appear around the handrails, although they should be placed a few inches apart. These posts will create a hard-to-cut space.
Proper Protection Is Necessary
While the physical dimensions of those handrails are important, REDD Team also knows that those handrails have to be easy to grip. All rails will require a proper handhold to allow someone to grasp the surface without risking slipping. All surfaces will also be smooth to prevent punctures or snagging.
What If the Stairs Aren’t a Permanent Part of a Spot?
Some aluminum stairs with handrails can be installed without being a permanent part of a building. In these cases, the handrails should have a clearance of about three inches between the edge of the rail and the wall or any other object it attaches to. This clearance allows for easy installation and takedown of the stairs.
REDD Team is here to serve your needs for aluminum stairs with handrails at your site. The handrails are just as valuable to your stairs as the steps themselves, and we’ll be ready to support them. You can contact us online or by phone at 800-648-3696 if you have questions or want to schedule an appointment for work.
