9.8.7.

(1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (3), a handrail shall be provided,

(a) on at least one side of stairs or ramps less than 1 100 mm in width,

(b) on 2 sides of curved stairs or ramps of any width, except curved stairs within dwelling units, and

(c) on 2 sides of stairs or ramps 1 100 mm in width or greater.

(2) Handrails are not required for,

(a) interior stairs having not more than 2 risers and serving a single dwelling unit,

(b) exterior stairs having not more than 3 risers and serving a single dwelling unit,

(c) ramps with a slope of not less than 1 in 12, or

(d) ramps rising not more than 400 mm.

(3) Only one handrail is required on exterior stairs having more than 3 risers provided such stairs serve a single dwelling unit.

(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), at least one required handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of the stair or ramp, including landings, except where interrupted by,

(a) doorways, or

(b) newel posts at changes in direction.

(2) For stairs or ramps serving a single dwelling unit, at least one handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of the stair or ramp, except where interrupted by,

(a) doorways,

(b) landings, or

(c) newel posts at changes in direction.

(1) Handrails shall be terminated in a manner that will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard.

(2) Except for stairs and ramps serving a single dwelling unit, at least one handrail at the sides of a stair or ramp shall extend horizontally not less than 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of each stair or ramp.

(1) The height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be measured vertically from the top of the handrail to,

(a) a line drawn through the leading edge of the stair treads served by the handrail, or

(b) the surface of the ramp, floor or landing served by the handrail.

(2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), the height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be,

(a) not less than 800 mm, and

(b) not more than 965 mm.

(3) Where guards are required, handrails required on landings shall be not more than 1 070 mm in height.

(1) A clearance of not less than 50 mm shall be provided between a handrail and any surface behind it.

(2) All handrails shall be constructed so as to be continually graspable along their entire length with no obstruction on or above them to break a handhold, except where the handrail is interrupted by newels at changes in direction.

(1) Handrails and projections below handrails, including handrail supports and stair stringers shall not project more than 100 mm into the required width of a stair or ramp.

(1) Handrails and any building element that could be used as a handrail shall be designed and attached in such a manner to resist,

(a) a concentrated load at any point of not less than 0.9 kN, and

(b) for handrails other than those serving a single dwelling unit, a uniformly distributed load of 0.7 kN/m.

(2) Where a handrail serving a single dwelling unit is attached to wood studs or blocking, the attachment shall be deemed to comply with Sentence (1) where,

(a) the attachment points are spaced not more than 1.2 m apart,

(b) the first attachment point at either end is located not more than 300 mm from the end of the handrail, and

(c) the fasteners consist of no fewer than 2 wood screws at each point, penetrating not less than 32 mm into solid wood.