What Is the Standard Handrail Height for Stairs?
Last Updated Mar 25, 2020 9:40:45 PM ET
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements in the U.S., the majority of stair handrails must be between 30 and 37 inches in height. The measurement is from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread, which is in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.
In residential homes, the standard height recommendation is 30 inches. There is leeway to adjust this height according to the height of the home's occupants. Local building codes can affect placement of the handrail, sometimes based on the type of structure involved. Commercial buildings require a safety inspection, preferably before installing the proposed handrails.
More From Reference
Here’s How the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed In-Person Retail Shopping in Lasting Ways
A Brief History of Insults: How Different Cultures Use Spoken and Written Verse to Mock and Mediate
Fact Check: How Accurate Are Farmers Almanac Weather Forecasts in Comparison to Weather Apps?
What Annual Income Is Considered Poverty Level & How Was the Federal Poverty Level Established?
Tokyo 2020: Here's How the First Modern Olympics Started 125 Years Ago
Why Do So Many Countries Celebrate Labour Day in May?