MyFloridaCode.com

One and two family dwellings are required to have handrails that are
graspable.
 
R311.5.6.3 Handrail grip size. All required handrails shall be of one of
the following types or provide equivalent graspability.

			1. Type I. Handrails with a circular cross
section shall have an outside diameter of at least 11/4 inches (32 mm)
and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). If the handrail is not circular
it shall have a perimeter dimension of at least 4 inches (102 mm) and
not greater than 61/4 inches (160 mm) with a maximum cross section of
dimension of 21/4 inches (57 mm).

			2. Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater
than 61/4 inches (160 mm) shall provide a graspable finger recess area
on both sides of the profile. The finger recess shall begin within a
distance of 3/4 inch (19 mm) measured vertically from the tallest
portion of the profile and achieve a depth of at least 5/16 inch (8 mm)
within 7/8 inch (22 mm) below the widest portion of the profile. This
required depth shall continue for at least 3/8 inch (10 mm) to a level
that is not less than 13/4 inches (45 mm) below the tallest portion of
the profile. The minimum width of the handrail above the recess shall be
11/4 inches (32 mm) to a maximum of 23/4 inches (70 mm). Edges shall
have a minimum radius of 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).

I am not sure how far the requirement for graspable handrails goes back,
but it was required in the 1994 Standard Building Code (oldest code book
that I have). Below is a link from the Stairway Manufacturer's
Association for a visual interpretation of the stair requirements.
 
http://www.stairways.org/code_changes/2004%20FL%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.p
df
 
In my opinion a 2x4 or 2x6 laid flat does not meet the requirement for a
graspable handrail.
My 2 cents.

Jonathan P. Bilby, MCP, CFM
Floodplain Management Coordinator
Inspector/Plans Examiner
Walton County Building Division
31 Coastal Centre Blvd., Suite 100
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: (850)267-2084
Fax; (850)267-1827
Email:  biljonathan at co.walton.fl.us
  

 


________________________________

	From: codetalk-bounces at myfloridacode.com
[mailto:codetalk-bounces at myfloridacode.com] On Behalf Of wr290 at aol.com
	Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2009 8:19 AM
	To: wing6790 at bellsouth.net; keithgipe at comcast.net
	Cc: codetalk at myfloridacode.com
	Subject: Re: [Florida Code Talk] Residential Handrails;CodeTalk
Digest, Vol 52, Issue
	
	
	
	Hi Jack
	 
	Single family dwellings do not require graspable handrails.. 
	 
	The term dwelling unit is referring to public housing..,..  See
the definition below:
	 

	Dwelling Unit. A single unit which provides a kitchen or food
preparation area, 

	in addition to rooms and spaces for living, bathing, sleeping,
and the like. 

	Dwelling units include a single family home or a townhouse used
as a transient 

	group home; an apartment building used as a shelter; guestrooms
in a hotel that 

	provide sleeping accommodations and food preparation areas; and
other similar 

	facilities used on a transient basis. For purposes of these
guidelines, use of 

	the term "Dwelling Unit" does not imply the unit is used as a
residence.
	 
	Tom Ricci
	BT Builders Inc
	954-214-4448
	 
	 
	In a message dated 12/16/2009 8:31:12 P.M. Eastern Standard
Time, wing6790 at bellsouth.net writes:

		
		Keith,
		Great idea, I have all the codes from 1997 forward.  My
question pertained to houses built prior 1997, if those handrail designs
were every allowed?
		Appreciate you comment.
		Jack
		

		
________________________________

		From: Keith Gipe <keithgipe at comcast.net>
		To: codetalk at myfloridacode.com
		Sent: Wed, December 16, 2009 6:36:53 PM
		Subject: Re: [Florida Code Talk] Residential Handrails;
CodeTalk Digest, Vol 52, Issue 12
		
		Why not by some up-to-date code books?  None of the
styles you describe
		would qualify as graspable under the current code.
		
		Keith Gipe
		Building Code Consultant
		FL Licensed Building Inspector #BN6075
		FL Licensed Building Plans Examiner #PX3088
		-----Original Message-----
		From: codetalk-bounces at myfloridacode.com
		[mailto:codetalk-bounces at myfloridacode.com] On Behalf Of
		codetalk-request at myfloridacode.com
		Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 12:00 PM
		To: codetalk at myfloridacode.com
		Subject: CodeTalk Digest, Vol 52, Issue 12
		
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
		
		Message: 1
		Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:20:01 -0800 (PST)
		From: wing6790 <wing6790 at bellsouth.net>
		Subject: [Florida Code Talk] Residential Handrail
		To: Codetalk at myfloridacode.com
		Message-ID:
<853343.96576.qm at web180405.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
		Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
		
		While doing real estate transaction inspections on homes
that were built at
		various times, it is quite common to see various
handrail designs.??These
		designs include:
		
		1.? 2x6 on edge with spinals attached to the board face.
		2.? 1x6 cap on top on a knee wall.
		3.? 2x4 or 2x6 laid flat, 'T' shaped handrail and
guardrail, most often?seen
		on exterior stairs..
		
		My code books date back to 1997.? My questions?are do
either design meet the
		graspable code requirement and when was the graspable
requirement added to
		the code.
		
		EXCEPTION:? Handrails for dwellings or within dwelling
units shall have a
		circular cross section with a diameter of 1 1/4 inches
(32 mm) to 2 inches
		(51 mm), or provide a noncircular cross section with
		equivalent graspability performance.
		
		Thanks for your help
		Jack Wingo
		Advanced Home Inspections
		Melbourne Beach, FL
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