ADA Handrails and Railing System
Standards, Guidelines & Recommendations
You must consult your Local Building Codes.
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ADA Standard
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Recommendations
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Handrail
is to be between 34” and 38” inches from surface (ground/ramp/sidewalk).
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Place
handrail at 36”.
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Posts
(uprights/verticals) must be no more than 8’ feet apart from center to center of
each post.
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Place
posts every 6’ feet from center to
center.
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Posts
and handrail pipe need to be 1-1/4” – 1-1/2” Schedule 40.
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Use
1-1/2” Schedule 40 for the posts and 1-1/4” Schedule 40 for the rails.
Note: Actual
Outer Diameters of 1-1/4” Schedule 40 is 1.66” and 1-1/2” Schedule 40 is 1.90”.
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The
space between the inside of the handrail and the wall or any other obstruction must
be at least 1-1/2”.
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A handrail
or grab bar and any wall or other surface adjacent to it needs to be free of anything
sharp or abrasive.
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Handrail
must be continuous.
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Use
internal couplings, Type 18-7, to maintain continuity.
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A ‘D’-Return
is needed to “round out” the ends of the handrail.
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On
straight runs:
‘D’ returns shall extend at least 12” inches
beyond each end post.
On
stairs and ramps:
‘D’ returns shall extend at least 12” inches beyond the top riser and at least 12”
inches, plus the width of one tread, beyond the bottom riser.
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Handrails
shall not rotate within the fittings.
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Handrails
are screwed to the Handrail Bracket which disallows rotation. 3/16” holes need to
be drilled in handrail to attach to Handrail Bracket
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