In message , Bert
Coules writes
I'm about to put handrails either side of an enclosed staircase, though
admittedly this is a special case since it's one of those "spacesaver"
stairs, with half-steps ( http://tinyurl.com/cu63mt3 ) which require
extra safety measures, especially on the way down. But even on a
conventional stairway I'd fit a rail each side if the space was
available - and a handrail doesn't need to extend all that far from the
wall to be useful.

I have just had some exposure to one of those. (holiday cottage). Too
narrow for more than one hand rail. I had to come down backwards.

regards

--
Tim Lamb