Height of Bannister?

[okie-guy]

I have made 2 bannisters to attach to the wall of cabin to assist people when decending or climbing the stairs to the loft. Is there a sandard height from the stairs the bannister should be? Thanks

[OldDog]

I am sure there is a code?

Mine is 36"

[John_C]

More than you ever wanted to know

http://www.wagnercompanies.com/site/Viewer.aspx?iid=1534&mname=Article&rpid=588#handrail

[glenn kangiser]

As I recall it is 34 to 38 from the nose of the tread.  We usually set them at 36 to the top.

[PEG688]

Hand rail height 34" to 36" measured from the tread nose in a plumb fashion to the top of the rail.

  From : http://www.wagnercompanies.com/site/Viewer.aspx?iid=1534&mname=Article&rpid=516#height

Height Requirements, Minimum for Handrails

IRC 2000  Measured vertically above stair nosings and ramp surfaces: 34" minimum; 38" maximum.
IRC 2003  Handrail height, measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be not less than 34 inches (864mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm).


It should also be constant through out the run of the rail , like Glenn mentioned 36" is pretty common and comfortable.   


John C your link does not work for me, it ssays the  page can not be displayed.

Now the term Bannister , theres one you don't see or hear often today! Maybe as a reference to a lawyer.

You are talking about hand rails right ? Not guard rails.

  Guard rails have different rules when used in commercial applications , 42 " is the code for that.   


Another seldom used term is window stool , most folks all them sills , but a sill is outside , and a stool is the horzonatal surface inside at the bottom of a window.



 

[glenn kangiser]

IRC GLENN2008 = the If I Recall Correctly GLENN2008 --- warning - may not be applicable in 2009 because it's failing fast....

[John Raabe]

Americans are also getting shorter... so perhaps we should be reduce the height of railings in anticipation.

[PEG688]

Americans are also getting shorter... so perhaps we should be reduce the height of railings in anticipation.

Where are you getting that stat? My guess would be kids are bigger taller and fatter than ever? Is that from some study, or are you making it up?


Edited to add just a few questions , they sort of sound like a "challenge"  but they are not , so don't "read " any thing in thats not there, they are  just questions.

[glenn kangiser]

The code could remain the same and we could have our arms shortened.

[John Raabe]

Here is the link to a good guide to stair building:
http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf

Here is a link to changing heights of Americans:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/12/AR2007081200809.html

This is data that can (and is) argued about. Changing immigration patterns account for part of it no doubt.

[okie-guy]

Sorry guys , I guess the correct term is handrail since  it is Attached to the wall.

[PEG688]

Sorry guys , I guess the correct term is handrail since  it is Attached to the wall.

I think you are still right okie,

  Main Entry: ban·is·ter 
Variant(s): also ban·nis·ter \ˈba-nəs-tər\
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of baluster
Date: 1641
1 a: a handrail with its supporting posts

Although this defination sort of talks about the whole system , rail and posts , as the bannister , or a varent spelling banister.


It's just a term not used very often or by many people today.

The word I was thinking of for lawyer is barrister,

Main Entry: bar·ris·ter 
Pronunciation: \ˈber-ə-stər, ˈba-rə-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English barrester, from barre bar + -ster (as in legister lawyer)
Date: 15th century
: a counsel admitted to plead at the bar and undertake the public trial of causes in an English superior court — compare


Any way put your hand rail at 36 " plumb off the nose of your treads and you'll be fine

G/L PEG