3.4.6.5. handrails
(1) A stairway shall have a handrail on at least one side, and if 1 100 mm or more in width, shall have handrails on both sides.
(2) If the required width of a ramp or flight of stairs is more than 2 200 mm, one or more intermediate handrails continuous between landings shall be provided, and located so that there will be not more than 1 650 mm between handrails.
(3) handrails shall be continuously graspable along their entire length and shall have,
(a) a circular cross-section with an outside diameter not less than 30 mm and not more than 43 mm, or
(b) any non-circular shape with a graspable portion that has a perimeter not less than 100 mm and not more than 125 mm and whose largest cross-sectional dimension is not more than 45 mm.
(4) The height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be measured vertically from the top of the handrail to,
(a) a straight line drawn tangent to the tread nosing's of the stair served by the handrail, or
(b) the surface of the ramp, floor or landing served by the handrail.
(5) Except as provided by Sentences (6) and (7), the height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be,
(a) not less than 865 mm, and
(b) not more than 965 mm.
(6) handrails installed in addition to required handrails need not comply with Sentence (5).
(7) Where guards are required, handrails required on landings shall be not more than 1 070 mm in height.
(8) Except as required by Sentence (14) and except where interrupted by doorway doorways or newels at changes in direction, at least one handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of a stairway or ramp, including landings.
(9) handrails shall be terminated in a manner that will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard.
(10) At least one handrail shall,
(a) in the case of a stair,
(i) extend horizontally at the required height, not less than 300 mm beyond the top riser, and
(ii) continue to slope for a depth of one tread beyond the bottom riser followed by a 300 mm horizontal extension, and
(b) in the case of a ramp, extend horizontally at the required height, not less than 300 mm beyond the top and bottom edges of the incline.
(11) The clearance between a handrail and any surface behind it shall be not less than 50 mm.
(12) handrails and their supports shall be designed and constructed to withstand the loading values obtained from the nonconcurrent application of,
(a) a concentrated load not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and
(b) a uniform load not less than 0.7 kN/m applied in any direction to handrails not located within dwelling units.
(13) A ramp shall have handrails on both sides.
(14) In a long-term care home and a Group B, Division 3 occupancy, a continuous handrail shall be provided on both sides of a stairway throughout the length of the stairway, including landings, except where a handrail is interrupted by doorway doorways or newels at changes in direction.
Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 3.4.6.5.(14) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by striking out "In a long-term care home and a Group B, Division 3 occupancy" at the beginning and substituting "In a long-term care home, a Group B, Division 3 occupancy and a retirement home". (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 42)
If you are building or replacing stairs on the exterior of your home, you may need a permit. As the homeowner, you are responsible for getting all required permits. Check with your municipality on the zoning and development bylaws in your area; as well as to find out what permits you need. Some restrictions may apply. Make sure you get permit(s) before starting your project.
The rise of steps must be between 125 mm and 200 mm (4 7/8 to 7 7/8 inches) and uniform. Riser height is measured vertically from the surface of one tread to the surface of an adjacent tread or landing. The run of steps must be between 255 mm and 355 mm (10 to 14 inches) and uniform. A step’s run is measured from the face of one riser to the face of an adjacent riser. The tread of a step is the step’s run plus the nosing (if one is provided) that extends beyond the face of the riser below. The depth of a rectangular tread cannot be not less than the step’s run and not more than its run plus 25 mm (one inch). Exterior wood steps must not be in direct contact with the ground unless suitably treated with a wood preservative.
Landings make stairs safer to use. They break up tall flights of stairs to allow the user to rest safely. They also provide an adequate surface for users to change direction when entering or exiting a flight of stairs.
A landing must be provided: at the top and bottom of each flight of interior and exterior stairs, including stairs in garages at the top and bottom of every ramp with a slope greater than 1 in 50 where a doorway opens onto a stair or ramp where a ramp opens onto a stair where a stair opens onto a ramp A landing is not required at the top of an exterior flight of stairs serving a secondary entrance to a single home, provided: the stair does not contain more than three risers the principal door is a sliding door or swings away from the stair, and only a storm or screen door, if any, swings over the stair and is equipped with hardware to hold it open
Handrails provide assistance with normal balance on stairs and they offer a continuous handhold to support persons who may stumble. The guidance and support provided by handrails is especially important at the beginning and end of ramps and flights of stairs, and at changes in direction at landings and winders. Handrails must be constructed to be continually graspable along their entire length. Where an exterior stair has more than three risers, a handrail is required on one side of the stair.
Railings, as they are commonly referred to) provide a protective barrier around openings in floors and at the open sides of stairs, landings, balconies, mezzanines, galleries or raised walkways to prevent accidental falls. Where no wall is present and there is a difference in elevation of 600 mm (24 inches) or more between two floor/ground surfaces, the risk of injury in a fall is sufficient to warrant the installation of guards to reduce the likelihood of a fall. Where a guard protects a level more than 4.2 m above an adjacent surface, guards must be designed so that no member, attachment or opening located between 140 mm and 900 mm above the level protected by the guard facilitates climbing. Openings through guards shall be of a size that prevents the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 100 mm (4 inches).