Interior Handrail Height

Check with your local building codes in your municipality to make sure but 34 38 is pretty standard.

Interior handrail height. The height is measured vertically from the line connecting the nosing. Codes require railings against a wall to be between 30 inches and 38 inches high while handrails on open stairs must be 34 to 38 inches high. Top of gripping surfaces of handrails shall be 34 inches 865 mm minimum and 38 inches 965 mm maximum vertically above walking surfaces stair nosings and ramp surfaces.

Choose a height between 30 inches at the low end and 36 at the high end. The building code dictates that the handrail height should be between 34 and 38 inches. Handrail height on the stairs should be no less than 34 inches and no greater than 38 inches.

Guardrails do not have a height limitation except for when they serve as a handrail in addition to a guardrail. The way this is measured is to begin at the leading edge of the stair nosing and run an imaginary vertical line upward until it reaches the top of the railing. Handrail height is the height of the handrail in relation to the stairs.

Measure up from the ground on each step to the desired height if there is no existing handrail on the staircase. The top rail must be at least 42 inches in height 1910 29 f 1 ii b and the handrail must be 30 to 38 inches in height 1910 29 f 1 i as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the rail. Remeasure the railing height from the front edge of the first stair nosing and not off the floor and then measure the height from the front of the last stair nosing and it should be between 34 38 preferably both will be the same.

In a two or single family house handrails should be 30 to 38 inches high. Minimum 10 inch stair tread depth with nosing or minimum 11 inches with no nosing. As for guards along a set of stairs that serve as a handrail as well they are allowed to be at a height of no less than 34 inches but no more than 38 inches.

Handrails shall be at a consistent height above walking surfaces stair nosings and ramp surfaces. For stair rail systems installed on or after january 17 2017 the top rail and handrail must be separate. The height is calculated in relation to the stairs and is measured from the very end of the stair tread in a completely vertical line.