Required height of handrails - exterior staircase

Anyone know how high DOB requires handrails for a short exterior staircase? I need new handrails for a exterior front door staircase…. 4 steps. I thought the requirement called for about 36″ height, measure from the top of the step to the top of the handrail. However a contractor mentioned the code changed the last few years from the 36″ and now 40 something inch height is now required (46″ I think he said). Can anyone confirm or provide a link to the code?

Thanks!

krobertson

in General Discussion 6 years and 4 months ago

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Smokychimp | 6 years and 3 months ago

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The code requirement is that handrails are required between 34″ to 38″ above the front edge of the tread (the nosing). If it’s an individual dwelling unit you don’t need guardrails, and guardrails are only required when the drop to the side is 30″ or higher. SO if you are four steps, meaning four risers, and each is 7″ you would be below 30″ so not need a guardrail anyway.

mattieweiser1

in General Discussion 6 years and 3 months ago

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42″ for guardrails from the stair nosing to the top of the guardrail. 34-38″ for handrails.