MyFloridaCode.com

>>> Terence Meachem 12/17/2009 11:06 AM >>>

It is not at all uncommon for Building Departments to field calls from
attorneys inquiring about the handrail and stair requirements.  Trip and
fall law suites may involve the contractor of record.
 
I’ve found the ICC commentary very useful, a good book to purchase for
reference.  Here is a brief quote from ICC on Handrails....... offered
in the interest of safety.
 
“One of the best means of creating safer stairs and assisting stairway
users is to provide a graspable handrail.  This can be used for support
and guidance as people travel from one level to the next or to assist in
arresting a fall should they slip while they are on the stairs. Other
than controlling the people who use stairs by making them pay attention
and not carry things while on the stairs, the handrail probably will
provide the greatest benefit in increased safety for the least amount of
cost.  It will never be known how many mis-steps, accidents, injuries or
even fatalities have been prevented by having a properly installed,
sturdy handrail.”
 
It’s always a good idea to upgrade to graspable handrails when dealing
with older units in the interest of liability and safety. 
 
Terence Meachem
Senior Residential Plan Examiner
City of Saint Petersburg, FL

>>> "Jonathan Bilby" <biljonathan at co.walton.fl.us> 12/17/2009 10:29 AM
>>>
 
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.
<A id=Pd345
onmouseover="DoSecDropDown3(this.id,2,'#005596|#d6e3ee|#eaf1f6','Chapter
3‚ Section R311‚
(5)(6)(3)(ab1)','href="/cgi-exe/cpage.dll?pg=cutnbdrx&rp=d:\webcontent\onlined2\indx\ST\fl\st\b400v07\st_fl_st_b400v07_3.htm&usec=b=R311&upar=(5)(6)(3)(ab1)&sid=2009121708104236921&aph=0&cid=iccf&uid=icsc0418&clrA=005596&clrV=005596&clrX=005596&ref=/indx/ST/fl/st/b400v07/st_fl_st_b400v07_3.htm"
target="_blank"|src="/images/NavPrint.gif" width="25" height="18"
alt="Printer friendly"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).<A id=Pd346
onmouseover="DoSecDropDown3(this.id,2,'#005596|#d6e3ee|#eaf1f6','Chapter
3‚ Section R311‚
(5)(6)(3)(ac2)','href="/cgi-exe/cpage.dll?pg=cutnbdrx&rp=d:\webcontent\onlined2\indx\ST\fl\st\b400v07\st_fl_st_b400v07_3.htm&usec=b=R311&upar=(5)(6)(3)(ac2)&sid=2009121708104236921&aph=0&cid=iccf&uid=icsc0418&clrA=005596&clrV=005596&clrX=005596&ref=/indx/ST/fl/st/b400v07/st_fl_st_b400v07_3.htm"
target="_blank"|src="/images/NavPrint.gif" width="25" height="18"
alt="Printer friendly"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 FL Stair IRC SCREEN.pdf (
http://www.stairways.org/code_changes/2004%20FL%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf
)
 
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
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Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 12:00 PM
To: codetalk at myfloridacode.com 
Subject: CodeTalk Digest, Vol 52, Issue 12

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Today's Topics:

  1. Residential Handrail (wing6790)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

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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