MyFloridaCode.com

Sorry:
 
You are correct, I misinterpreted the HC code  for means of  egress  Fire. 
Not thinking........... 
 
Tom Ricci
 
 
 
In a message dated 12/17/2009 11:40:43 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
Terence.Meachem at stpete.org writes:



>>> 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.






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  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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Today's  Topics:

1. Residential Handrail  (wing6790)


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Message:  1
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:20:01 -0800 (PST)
From: wing6790 <_wing6790 at bellsouth.net_ (mailto:wing6790 at bellsouth.net) >
Subject:  [Florida Code Talk] Residential Handrail
To: _Codetalk at myfloridacode.com_ (mailto:Codetalk at myfloridacode.com) 
Message-ID:  <_853343.96576.qm at web180405.mail.gq1.yahoo.com_ 
(mailto: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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