The top of the handrail should not exceed 36” from grade/steps. Minimum distance is 30”.

Handrail should start before the base of the first riser. This should be a horizontal 12” from the bottom of the beginning of the step. Handrail should then follow up the step or steps. The pipe should stop at the top of the step and transition into a horizontal 12” extention. Basically, 12” at grade, the length of the step area, and 12” at the top of the raised floor. Some interpreters of the code recommend at the horizontal ends that they turn into the wall..leaving nothing a sleeve can catch on.

 

Gripping surface shall not exceed 1 ½” in diameter.