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Last Revised 02/19/26 Page 1 of 2 GUARDS & HANDRAILS GUARDS & HANDRAILS 6” 4” 4” 4” INTERMEDIATE RAIL SPACING OR PATTERN SO THAT 4-INCH SPHERE CANNOT PASS THROUGH TRIANGULAR AREA FORMED BY TREAD, RISER, AND GAURDRAIL SO THAT 6-INCH SPHERE CANNOT PASS THROUGH GUARDS – 2025 CBC, Section 1015 Shall be located along open- sided walking surfaces, stairways, ramps and landings located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below. The top of guards shall be a minimum height of 42 inches. Exceptions; 1. Guards in R-3 and individual units in R-2 occupancies who’s guard also serves as a handrail shall have a height of 34”-38” above the nosing. Open guards shall have intermediate rails or an ornamental pattern such that a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter cannot pass through. The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom element of a guardrail at the open side of a stairway may be of such size that a sphere 6 inches (152 mm) in diameter cannot pass through. HANDRAILS 2025 CBC, Section 1011.11 Stairways shall have handrails on each side of every stairway. EXCEPTIONS: 1. Aisle stairs complying with section 1025.13 provided with a center handrail need not have additional handrails. 2. Staiways within dwelling units, spiral stairways and aisle stairs serving seating only on one side are permitted to have a handrail on one side only. 3. Decks, patios and walkways that have a single change in elevation where the landing depth on each side of the change of elevation is greater than what is require for a landing do not require handrails. 4. In group R-3 occupancies, [HCD 1 & SFM] a continuous run of treads or flight of stairs with fewer than four risers does not require handrails. 5. Changes in room elevations of only one riser within dwelling units and sleeping rooms in R-2 occupancies do not require handrails. The top of handrails and handrail extensions shall not be placed less than 34 inches (864 mm) or more than 38 inches (965 mm) above landings and the nosing of treads. Handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs. Ends shall be returned or shall have rounded terminations or bends. EXCEPTIONS: 1. Handrails within a dwelling unit that is not required to be accessible need extend only to the top and bottom risers. The handgrip portion of handrails shall not be less than 1l/4 inches (32 mm) nor shall more than 2 inches (51 mm) in cross- sectional dimension or shall provide equivalent graspability. The handgrip portion of handrails shall have a smooth surface with no sharp corners. Handrails projecting from a wall shall have a space of not less than 1l/2 inches (38 mm) between them. ---PAGE BREAK--- Last Revised 02/19/26 Page 2 of 2 2 IN. 1 ½ IN. 3 ½ IN. 1 ½ IN. MIN. 1 ¼ IN. TO 2 IN. 1 ½ IN. MIN. 1 ¼ IN. TO 2 IN. NOT ACCEPTABLE 1 ½ IN. MIN. 1 ¼ IN. TO 2 IN. 1 ½ IN. MIN. 1 ¼ IN. TO 2 IN. This is a few examples of handrails, there are many other configurations. 11 IN. MIN. HANDRAIL 6 FT. 8 IN. MINIMUM HEADROOM 34 IN. TO 38 IN. 4 IN. MIN. 7 IN. MAX. HANDRAILS – 2025 California Building Code Section 1014 • Handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs. • Handrails may have starting or volute newels within the first tread on stairways. • Handgrip portion of handrails shall not be les than 1-¼” nor more than 2” in cross-sectional dimension or the shape shall provide an equivalent gripping surface. • Handgrip portion shall have a smooth surface with no sharp corners. • Handrails projecting from a wall shall have a space of not less than 1-½” between the wall and the handrail.