BS 5395-1:2010 pdf download – Stairs – Part 1 : Code of practice for the design of stairs with straight flights and winders 4 Safety 4.1 Handrails COMMENTARYON 4.1 Use ofa suitablydesigned handrail can prevent users from losing their balance when on the stair and can also assist users to ascend bypulling themselves up the stairs. A handrail can also help users to regain balance in the event ofa fall, reducing the severityofthe injuries that might result. The need for a handrail on both sides ofthe stair comes from two sources. Firstly, to allowusers a choice ofsupport when ascending and descending stairs, it is preferable to have a handrail on both sides. This can be essential for people using a walking stick or cane, or who might be weaker on one side. The other reason is that having two handrails reduces the chances of a serious incident happening on a stair. Every stair should have two continuous handrails, one on each side of the stair, to provide guidance and support to those using the stair. It is advantageous to many stair users to be able to reach either handrail or both handrails at the same time in which case, the distance between the handrails should be between 800 mm and 1 200 mm. Handrails should: a) be fixed at a vertical height to the top of the handrail above the pitch line between 900 mm to 1 000 mm; b) continue across intermediate landings at a vertical height to the top of the handrail above the landing between 900 mm to 1 100 mm where this is practicable e.g. not across doorways or obstructing adjacent circulation routes; c) be fixed parallel to the pitch line over steps, or horizontal over landings; d) be rigid and strong enough to provide adequate support for users; e) be comfortable to grip and without sharp arrises, yet able to provide adequate resistance to hand slippage; f) allow the entire hand to form a grip around the handrail, rather than a less secure pinch grip which uses just the fingers. This requires a clear mounting distance between the bottom of the handrail and the top of the stair balustrade of at least 50 mm; g) be continuously graspable along their entire length. Handrail brackets or balusters attached to the bottom surface of the handrail are not considered to be obstructions to a person’s grip, provided...

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