Handrail Specifications
Like stairs themselves, handrails must meet certain standards for safety. Every staircase must have at least one handrail for people to hold onto. The handrail should be placed on the open side of the staircase. The space between the balusters has to be 4 inches. The area gripped by hands on a handrail must be at least 1 1/4 inches in diameter but no larger than 2 inches. Handrails must be checked periodically to ensure that they aren't loose; a loose handrail can contribute to a fall.