Handrail/Guardrail Requirements

June 7, 2004

Code/ Designation Height Opening Top/Intermediate Rail Size Post Size/Spacing Design Load End Condition-Handrail Extension
Standard
Guardrail Handrail Industrial Public Pipe Angle Pipe Angle Spacing Applied @ Top Rail in any Concentrated Applied @ Top At Top Riser At Bottom Riser
Access Direction Rail in any Direction
OSHA Railing 42 Max 34 - - 1.5 Dia 2X2x3/8 or other Same as Same as 8-0 - 1910.23(e)(3)(iv) Not Required Not Required
Min 30 Nominal shapes with Rail Rail 200 lbs
equivalent bending
strength
IBC 2003 Guard-for Floors 42 Max 38 21 Dia 4 Dia 1.25 Min Perimeter Dims bet Design for Specified Load 1607.7.1 1607.7.1.1 12 Depth of one tread sloping
(1012) Min 34 Sphere Sphere 2 Max (Note 1) 4 & 6.25 (See note 1) 50 plf, except for occupancies 200 lbs Horizontal (Detail 2)
(1009.11.1) Max X-Sect Dim I-3, F, H & S 20 plf (Detail 1) (1009.11.5)
Handrail-for Stairs 2.25 (1009.11.5)
(1009.11) (Note 1)
CBC 1998 Guardrail-for 42 Max 38 12 Dia 4 Dia 1.25 Min - Design for Specified Load Table 16-B (Item 9) Table 16-B (Item 11) 12 12 Horizontal
Floors Min 34 Sphere Sphere 2 Max (Note 1) (See note 1) 50 plf for Exit Facility Serving 200 lbs Horizontal (Detail 3)
UBC 1997 Handrail-for Stairs (1003.3.3.6) Occupant Load of more that 50; (Detail 1) (1003.3.3.6)
all others 20 plf (1003.3.3.6)
BOCA 1999 Guard-for Floors 42 Max 38 21 Dia 4 Dia 1.25 Min Perimeter Dims bet Des Design for Specified Load 1606.4 (Refers to ASCE-7, 4.4) 1606.4 (Refers to ASCE-7, 4.4) 12 Depth of one tread sloping
Handrail-for Stairs Min 34 Sphere Sphere 2 Max 4 & 6.25 (See note 1) 50 plf 200 lbs Horizontal (Detail 2)
(1022.2.3) Max X-Sect Dim (Detail 1) (1022.2.3)
2.25 (1022.2.3)

SBC 1997 Guard-for Floors 42 Max 38 21 Dia 4 Dia 1.25 Min Perimeter Dims bet Design for Specified Load 1608.2 1608.2 12 Depth of one tread sloping
Handrail-for Stairs Min 34 Sphere Sphere 2 Max 4 & 6.25 (See note 1) 50 plf Horiz 200 lbs Horizontal (Detail 2)
Max X-Sect Dim 100 plf Down (For Guard Rail (Detail 1) (1007.5.5)
(1007..5) 2.25 only) (1007.5.5)

Horizontal and down loads for

Guardrail applied simultaneous
ADA Standard Handrail For Stairs Max 38 1.25 to 1.5 dia or 12 12 + One Tread
for Accessible Min 34 Equivalent gripping Horizontal Horizontal
Design (Handrail for Ramp surface (Detail 1) (Detail 4)
see ADA
Requirements)
Notes:
1. Dimensions shown are for handrails. There are no specific dimensions for guards.
2. In general GUARDRAIL is required along open-sided walking surfaces, mezzanine, industrial equipment platforms, stairways, ramps and landings. Handrail is defined as a horizontal or sloping rail intended for grasping by the hand for guidance or support.

DETAIL 2 DETAIL 4
DETAIL 3
DETAIL 1 ADA HR EXTENSION AT BOTTOM