BCAB #1937 – Ergonomic Design of Handrails

October 15, 2024

Re: Ergonomic Design of Handrails

Project Description

The project is the design and construction of a new residence.  The interior and exterior of the residence contain flights of stairs that are equipped with required handrails.

At the exterior, the top rails of aluminum guards serve as the handrails.  The top rails are constructed of a common extruded aluminum profile and the cross-sectional dimensions of the handrails are shown in Figure 1.  There are no separate handrails.

Interior handrails are a custom design and are constructed of solid wood.  The cross-sectional dimensions of the handrails are shown in Figure 2.

Applicable Code requirements (BCBC 2018)

Sentence 9.8.7.5.(2), Division B, Ergonomic Design

(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. (See Note A-9.8.7.5.(2).

A-9.8.7.5.(2), Division B, Handrail Sections.

Handrails are intended to provide guidance and support to stair users.  To fulfil this intent, handrails must be “graspable.”

The graspable portion of a handrail should allow a person to comfortably and firmly grab hold by allowing their fingers and thumb to curl under part or all of the handrail.  Where the configuration or dimensions of the handrail do not allow a person’s fingers and thumb to reach the bottom of it, recesses that are sufficiently wide and deep to accommodate a person’s fingers and thumb must be provided on both sides of the handrail, at the bottom of the graspable portion, which must not have any sharp edges.

Appellant's position

The handrails meet the intent of the Code; they are fully functional, safe, and allow for proper gripping as described in the Code.  The designs avoid sharp edges and allow for easy gripping.  The Code does not provide specific dimensions which has led to a subjective interpretation by the Local Authority.

Appeal Board Decision #1937

The Board confirms the decision of the local authority.

It is the determination of the Board that both the interior and exterior handrails consist of regular profiles, containing no graspable recesses, that are too large in cross-sectional dimension to allow a person’s fingers and thumb to curl under part or all of the handrails.

Reason for decision

Handrails are intended to provide guidance and support to stair users.  To fulfil this intent, handrails must be “graspable.”

The Code’s Notes indicate that a person should be able to comfortably and firmly grab hold of the handrail by allowing their fingers and their thumb to curl under part or all of the handrail.  The subject handrails are too large to allow this to occur.

Handrails that are large in cross-section might be permissible if they contain recesses on both sides that are sufficiently wide and deep to accommodate a person’s fingers and thumb.  The subject handrails contain no recesses.

Don Pedde
Chair, Building Code Appeal Board