Our photo (above left) illustrates a high ramp crossing over a busy highway in Guadalajara, Mexico. Handrail-gripping surfaces shall be continuous, without interruption by newel posts or other obstructions. Edges shall have a minimum radius of 0.125 inch (3.2 mm).ġ00333.11.4 Continuity. If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of at least 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 6.25 inches (159 mm) with a maximum cross-section dimension of 2.25 inches (57 mm). International Building Code 2000 (BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI)ġ003.3.3.11.3 Handrail grasp ability. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of at least 1.25 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm) or shall provide equivalent grasp ability. ![]() Sample excerpts of sources which a building code compliance inspector would be expected to cite in support of requiring a properly-designed, properly-secured guard rail include but are not limited to the citations below. Railings in stair codes and specifications refer to the safety barrier along ramps as well as at steps or stairs, landings, and balconies.Īlso see GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS for details about safety railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies - horizontal walking surfaces. A Comparison of Building Codes Specifying Hand Railing Requirements for Access Ramps 1979) with a friend, demonstrating that this building access ramp was unsafe: a railing was provided only on one side despite the drop off, and the railing that the carpenters installed was both open (a child hazard), and used a horizontal mid-height member, easily climbed-on by a child (another child hazard).Īnd see HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS. Our photo (left) shows the author's daughter (at left, ca. Our photo at left shows an incomplete and thus unsafe access ramp: the guardrailing is only along one side of the elevated ramp or walkway and no graspable handrail was provided at all.Īdd railings on your ramp: if the ramp crosses above a ditch, ravine, or is more than three feet from the ground at its highest point, a railing is likely to be required by local and national building codes.Įven for ramps that are just a few inches above the ground, railings improve ramp safety by providing additional visual clues about the ramp's slope as well as providing a grasping surface in case of a fall. In some situations the top of the guardrail may also serve as a handrail.
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