Contractor terminated handrail on steps to 2nd last step from bottom and
placed the railing about 4" in from the outside edge. Shouldnt it go to
the bottom step and with 1" from the edge? Anyone know what the code is
for this?

Thanks

"mart" wrote in message
news
Contractor terminated handrail on steps to 2nd last step from bottom and
placed the railing about 4" in from the outside edge. Shouldnt it go to
the bottom step and with 1" from the edge? Anyone know what the code is
for this?

Thanks

Yes.

Contractor terminated handrail on steps to 2nd last step from bottom and
placed the railing about 4" in from the outside edge. Shouldnt it go to
the bottom step and with 1" from the edge? Anyone know what the code is
for this?

If I remember correctly, railing is only required if the steps are higher
than 24" off the ground (about three steps). So, I don't see an issue with
your railing stopping at the second step. In fact, it is quite common for
indoor staircases to have a full step past the end of the railing. It could
also strengthen the railing post by giving more leverage at the bottom end,
but that would depend on how it was constructed.

Being 4" in from the outside edge is a bit unusual, but not a big deal.
Depending on how the post is attached to the deck structure (i.e. bolted to
the inside of a doubled joist), it could make the railing much sturder than
if it were mounted to the outside.

I built a set of stairs for my in-laws recently, and the railing posts are
sandwiched between two joists for strength. With siding and a trim board on
the outside, there's probably around 2-1/2" from the post to the outside
edge. The decking overhangs about 1 inch, for maybe a total of 3-1/2" from
post to the outmost edge.

Anthony

On Jul 8, 1:11*am, mart wrote:
Contractor terminated handrail on steps to 2nd last step from bottom and
placed the railing about 4" in from the outside edge. Shouldnt it go to
the bottom step and with 1" from the edge? Anyone know what the code is
for this?

Can't tell from here. You local code will govern, and there's a fair
bit of discrepancy in interpretation. There's also not enough
information about your specific situation - how many risers, etc.

The location of the handrail termination is an indicator of the first
and last steps. Having it start or stop too far into the stairway can
lead to missteps and tripping.

Handrail codes have maximum and minimum projection into the stairway
requirements. Without specific knowledge of your situation -
construction, stair placement, etc. - it's not possible to provide a
definitive answer of whether you contractor did the right or wrong
thing.

R

On Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:22:44 -0700, RicodJour wrote:

On Jul 8, 1:11*am, mart wrote:
Contractor terminated handrail on steps to 2nd last step from bottom and
placed the railing about 4" in from the outside edge. Shouldnt it go to
the bottom step and with 1" from the edge? Anyone know what the code is
for this?

Can't tell from here. You local code will govern, and there's a fair
bit of discrepancy in interpretation. There's also not enough
information about your specific situation - how many risers, etc.

The location of the handrail termination is an indicator of the first
and last steps. Having it start or stop too far into the stairway can
lead to missteps and tripping.

Handrail codes have maximum and minimum projection into the stairway
requirements. Without specific knowledge of your situation -
construction, stair placement, etc. - it's not possible to provide a
definitive answer of whether you contractor did the right or wrong
thing.

R

Its about 9' high and 12-15 steps. The contractor agreed to redo the
railing down to the bottom step lol.