On Sun, 2 Aug 2020 10:07:20 +0100, Jeff Layman wrote:

We have three steps up to our front door. These are 8" high (vertical
brick) and can be awkward for those who are less mobile. I have been
thinking of putting in a handrail like that at
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wrought-Iro.../dp/B072SWRPY9

How much!

However, as can be seen at the photo at https://ibb.co/Yt4q3Pz, the
fixing for the base of the handrail top post will be close to the edge
of the brick.

And there isn't a great deal holding those vertical bricks in place.
I'm assuming that the hand rail will be perpendicular to the wall, so
someone leaning heavly on the rail will be effectively levering the
brick out of its slot. Those bases look horribly small as well with a
1.2 m lever attached. Personally I'd look for bases that would allow
fixing to the centerish of two bricks and have some diagonal bracing
to the rail. I do have tendancy to over engineer things...

I do not want to drill into the tile as if it cracks I have no
replacement.

Take it steady with a proper tile drill (no hammer action!) and it
shouldn't be a problem. Clearance hole for the fixing. Do you know
what's underneath the tiles? Hopefully it's rubble infilled with
concrete to a solid lump. That would provide a much firmer fixing
than either of the bricks.

The door surround is metal-framed PVC, and I doubt it has reliable
strength to take a wall fixing for a handrail.

I was going to suggest something like:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B086DS1X8F

But you haven't a real wall to fix it to.

--
Cheers
Dave.