A handrail is a rail that is made to be held in the hand to offer support or safety. To avoid dangerous falls or to grasp items, handrails are frequently utilized on escalators and stairways when going up or down them.
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Types of Handrail
There are many various types of handrails, including those made of aluminum, stainless steel, and wood or other types of wood. Depending on the type you select, the cost can vary and some varieties are more durable than others. Additionally, a variety of fixes are available for a more contemporary/sleek appearance.
What situations call for the handrail?
Internal handrails for a stairway flight or ramp must be available on at least one side of the stairway or ramp and along the whole length of the stairway flight or ramp as a minimum requirement. Except for a newel post or stanchion of the ball variety, it must be uninterrupted and devoid of any impediments that could potentially break a handhold.
A handrail must be installed on at least one side of the patient-use corridor or passageway in Class 9a healthcare buildings;
- Where possible, keep them continuous over their whole length and
- fixed not less than 50 mm clear of the wall.
A railing must be installed on both sides of every hallway or passageway that residents use in Class 9c nursing homes;
- Where possible, keep them continuous over their whole length and
- fixed not less than 50 mm clear of the wall.
British Specifications for Building a Handrail
With the European Normal (EN) series, British Standard and British Standard Code of Practice are synchronized. The height of the handrail is calibrated between 0.9 and 1 meters.
What is the Australian Minimum Handrail Height?
The height of a handrail above the floor or the nosing of a stair step, as defined by Australian standards, shall be no less than 865mm.
The height of the guardrail on a landing where there is a substantial risk of falling from a height must be at least 1000 mm.