wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,
Does anyone know if there are OSHA requirements for the minimum
clearance between a starway railing and the wall it is attached to?
There are no local requirements in my area, and the only OSHA
requirement I can find refers to a 3" clearance for a temporary stair
railing. I need to install a railing in a fairly narrow stairway, and
I would really like to make the clearance narrower if I can get away
with it.
Can I assume this is an industrial application? Does it have to be ADA
compliant? In my house, there is 1 1/2" clearance and it is quite
sufficient. I'm not sure of OSHA minimums and I don't have the book at home
but I did find this:
Section 1926.1052 (Stairways) states:
(c) Stairrails and handrails.
* * *
(6) The height of handrails shall be not more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor
less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the upper surface of the handrail to the
surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge
of the tread.
(7) When the top edge of a stair rail system also serves as a handrail,
the height of the top edge shall be not more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less
than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stair rail system to
the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward
edge of the tread. [Emphasis added.]
This states 3" but when you read the rest of it stating 1 1/2" is going to
be the new standard. Note the 1978 date: OSHA Instruction STD 1-1.6
October 30, 1978
3. Background
a. The present Standard, 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(5)(iii), states in part: "The
length of brackets shall be such as will give a clearance between handrail
and wall or any projection thereon of at least 3 inches. " 29 CFR
1910.23(e)(6) states: "All handrails and railings shall be provided with a
clearance of not less than 3 inches between the handrail or railing and any
other object."
b. The proposed changes to Walking-Working Surfaces, will allow all
handrails and railings to have a clearance of at least one and one-half
inches between the handrail or railing and any other object.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owad...IVES&p_id=1760
You will find some ADA information here
http://www.collinsclubs.com/rcrv/ram...guidelines.pdf