The purpose of a handrail is to provide guidance. It is required on stairs with two or more risers and ADA ramps with a rise of 6". In commercial applications, handrail is required on both sides of stairs and ramps. Handrails are not required on walking surfaces with running slope less than 1:20.

Are handrails required in homes?

If your home has three or fewer steps, there's no need to install a handrail. However, homes having four or more stairs must have a rail mounted on at least one side if the stairway is less than 44 inches wide. If one edge of the stairwell is open, that's where the handrail must be.

At what height is a handrail required?

As with barriers the top surface of the handrail must be at least 865mm vertically above the nosings of the stair tread or floor surface of a ramp.