Handrails provide aesthetic benefits to all kinds of properties, while also ensuring the health and safety of users – particularly the elderly or those with mobility issues.
While you may not have given it much thought in the past, there are actually a wide range of building regulations in place that specifically apply to handrails and their height. If you own or manage a commercial or public property, there are certain circumstances where these regulations must be complied with. If you do not and an accident occurs, you could find yourself liable.
Furthermore, they’re also sometimes an advantageous addition to domestic properties, especially in houses where elderly people or vulnerable people reside.
In this article, the team here at UK Home Improvement will take a closer look at handrail height for stairs, providing you with everything you need to know about the regulations so you can ensure you’re fully compliant.
Read on to find out more.
What height should a handrail be?
Handrails should be between 90mm and 1000mm above the pitch line of the stairs if you are to ensure you’re compliant with building regulations. The pitch line refers to a virtual line that sits at the top of the stair nosing at the edge of the stair treads. The stair tread is the horizontal bit of the stairs where you place your feet as you ascend a staircase.
What height should a handrail be on a landing?
Sometimes, handrails will also need to be placed on landings.
In these instances, the same guidance applies and the handrails should be installed between 90mm and 1000mm above the floor rather than the pitch line.
Often, people will opt for decorative handrails on landings to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space. There are a whole host of different designs available.
How to measure for handrails
If you’re planning on installing handrails on your property, it’s important you know how to properly measure them to ensure they are properly located on the staircase and suitably comply with the various building regulations.
Let’s take a look at the steps you should follow in order to properly measure handrails.
Decide the height of the handrail
As previously mentioned, building regulations demand that handrails must be installed between 90mm and 1000mm above the pitch line of the stairs. This measurement refers to the distance from the pitch line to the top of the handrail.
You should consider where within this limit the handrail will be most suitable for the users. Furthermore, while these building regulations refer to commercial and public places, in domestic properties, you can locate the handrail where you like however between 90mm and 1000mm remains the most suitable distance for most people.
Use a tape measure and spirit level
For this step, you will need to get your hands on a tape measure and spirit level. If you don’t have these to hand, you can get them from local DIY stores or order them online.
Once you have them, measure from the edge of the tread (this is the horizontal part of the staircase which you walk on) on the bottom step up to the required height. Place a small mark with a pencil.
Continue this process
Continuing to use your tape measure and spirit level, move up the staircase following the same process. Make another pencil mark somewhere in the middle of the stairs and then one on the top step.
Join the points together
Using a straightedge and a pencil, join together all of the points that you have previously marked. This will provide you with a line that can be measured to ascertain the minimum length that a handrail needs to be. Remember, most handrails will be slightly longer than the minimum length.
Decide how far you want the handrail to extend
Next, you need to decide how far you want the handrail to extend beyond the bottom and top of the stairs.
It’s important to allow the handrail to extend slightly at the start and end of the staircase, in order to provide something for the user to hold onto as they begin to ascend the stairs and when stepping off them. Usually, how much the handrail can extend will depend on how much wall space you have to work with, but it’s recommended that you allow the handrail to extend by, at least, an additional 15cm.
Mark on the wall where the handrails will extend to.
Mark the full line
Use your tape measure again, and measure the full distance of the line you now have on your wall. This will provide you with a measurement that you can use when ordering your handrail.
Is it illegal to not have handrails on stairs?
The legality of handrails will depend on the environment. As previously stated, building regulations state that every staircase that is less than 1000mm wide should always have a handrail at a height of between 90mm and 1000mm high.
In instances where the stairs are wider than 1000mm, handrails should be provided on both sides of the stairs. In commercial or public environments, they must be installed and you could face legal action if you do not have them installed.
In domestic properties, the building regulations still apply however it is not illegal to not have a handrail. Despite this, if you attempt to sell your property it is likely to become an issue as people expect proper handrails to be in place.
As well as complying with building regulations, you should also consider that not having appropriate handrails in place can increase the risk of people falling or having an accident – especially if the staircase has any open sides.
What other regulations apply to stairs?
In addition to the building regulations that dictate the height of handrails, there are other elements that sometimes need to be considered. Handrails are just one feature on staircases, and part K of the Building Regulations also provide guidance on staircase treads and risers.
The riser is the vertical section between each step on a staircase. Building regulations state that these risers should be between 150mm and 220mm high. They should also be consistently the same size across the staircase.
Some staircases will have open risers, you may see these in retail or other commercial environments. In these instances, treads should overlap by 16mm and be constructed in such a way that a 100mm diameter ball would not fit between them. This is so people do not trip or fall through the risers when ascending.
Benefits of handrails
Now we’ve covered the various building regulations in regard to handrails, as well as how to effectively measure them, let’s take a look at the various benefits handrails provide.
In various settings, handrails provide several advantages, primarily when it comes to safety, accessibility and support.
Some of these key benefits include:
- Safety – The main advantage of handrails is that they provide crucial support and stability, especially on stairs, ramps and elevated walkways. They help to prevent slips, trips and falls by giving individuals something to hold onto as they navigate difficult or differing surfaces.
- Accessibility – Handrails help to improve accessibility for people with mobility issues, such as the elderly, vulnerable people or those with disabilities. They offer a means of support and assistance which allows individuals to move safely and independently in environments that may otherwise be challenging to navigate.
- Fall prevention – In many cases, handrails serve as a barrier or boundary along stairs, ramps, balconies and other elevated areas. This helps to prevent accidents and falls which could cause injury or, in severe cases, be fatal. They provide a physical barrier that can prevent people from inadvertently stepping or leaning over dangerous edges.
- Balance and stability – Handrails offer support for individuals who may have difficulty maintaining their balance or stability when walking. This is particularly beneficial for older people or individuals who have physical impairments, allowing them to walk with greater confidence and with a reduced risk of falling.
- Guidance and direction – In some cases, handrails can also serve as a visual and tactile guide, indicating the direction of travel or delineating pathways within a space. This can be especially helpful in crowded or unfamiliar environments, providing clear guidance for navigation.
- Child safety – Handrails often provide additional safety for children, particularly in areas with potential hazards like stairs or elevated platforms. Children are able to hold onto handrails for support and stability while learning how to navigate stairs. This reduces the risks of falls and accidents.
To summarise, handrails play a crucial role in promoting safety, accessibility and comfort in various settings, from residential homes to public buildings, transportation facilities and outdoor spaces. Their installation is an essential aspect of building design and construction, contributing to the overall usability and inclusivity of an environment.
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