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Goedjn Goedjn is offline
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Default Stair railing clearance?

On 15 Apr 2007 16:24:37 -0700, wrote:

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.





Well, it's not OSHA, but the ADA specification is 1.5" clearance
between the wall and the inner surface of the rail.
If the two standards are different, which one wins?


http://www.ada.gov/reg3a.html#Anchor-17104



Well... he

4.9.4 Handrails. Stairways shall have handrails at both sides of all
stairs. Handrails shall comply with 4.26 and shall have the following
features:
(1) Handrails shall be continuous along both sides of stairs. The
inside handrail on switchback or dogleg stairs shall always be
continuous (see Fig. 19(a) and (b)).
(2) If handrails are not continuous, they shall extend at least 12 in
(305 mm) beyond the top riser and at least 12 in (305 mm) plus the
width of one tread beyond the bottom riser. At the top, the extension
shall be parallel with the floor or ground surface. At the bottom, the
handrail shall continue to slope for a distance of the width of one
tread from the bottom riser; the remainder of the extension shall be
horizontal (see Fig. 19(c) and (d)). Handrail extensions shall comply
with 4.4.
(3) The clear space between handrails and wall shall be 1-1/2 in (38
mm).
(4) Gripping surfaces shall be uninterrupted by newel posts, other
construction elements, or obstructions.
(5) Top of handrail gripping surface shall be mounted between 34 in
and 38 in (865 mm and 965 mm) above stair nosings.
(6) Ends of handrails shall be either rounded or returned smoothly to
floor, wall or post.
(7) Handrails shall not rotate within their fittings.


.. . . .

and:

4.26 Handrails, Grab Bars, and Tub and Shower Seats.
4.26.1* General. All handrails, grab bars, and tub and shower seats
required to be accessible by 4.1, 4.8, 4.9, 4.16, 4.17, 4.20 or 4.21
shall comply with 4.26.
4.26.2* Size and Spacing of Grab Bars and Handrails. The diameter or
width of the gripping surfaces of a handrail or grab bar shall be
1-1/4 in to 1-1/2 in (32 mm to 38 mm), or the shape shall provide an
equivalent gripping surface. If handrails or grab bars are mounted
adjacent to a wall, the space between the wall and the grab bar shall
be 1-1/2 in (38 mm) (see Fig. 39(a), (b), (c), and (e)). Handrails may
be located in a recess if the recess is a maximum of 3 in (75 mm) deep
and extends at least 18 in (455 mm) above the top of the rail (see
Fig. 39(d)).
4.26.3 Structural Strength. The structural strength of grab bars, tub
and shower seats, fasteners, and mounting devices shall meet the
following specification:
(1) Bending stress in a grab bar or seat induced by the maximum
bending moment from the application of 250 lbf (1112N) shall be less
than the allowable stress for the material of the grab bar or seat.
(2) Shear stress induced in a grab bar or seat by the application of
250 lbf (1112N) shall be less than the allowable shear stress for the
material of the grab bar or seat. If the connection between the grab
bar or seat and its mounting bracket or other support is considered to
be fully restrained, then direct and torsional shear stresses shall be
totaled for the combined shear stress, which shall not exceed the
allowable shear stress.
(3) Shear force induced in a fastener or mounting device from the
application of 250 lbf (1112N) shall be less than the allowable
lateral load of either the fastener or mounting device or the
supporting structure, whichever is the smaller allowable load.
(4) Tensile force induced in a fastener by a direct tension force of
250 lbf (1112N) plus the maximum moment from the application of 250
lbf (1112N) shall be less than the allowable withdrawal load between
the fastener and the supporting structure.
(5) Grab bars shall not rotate within their fittings.
4.26.4 Eliminating Hazards. A handrail or grab bar and any wall or
other surface adjacent to it shall be free of any sharp or abrasive
elements. Edges shall have a minimum radius of 1/8 in (3.2 mm).