Some useful safety advice for handrails on stairs

While stairs are essential for providing access, they are a hazard. Falls, trips, and slips here can result in serious injury. With that in mind there are lots of rules about things like tread, riser height, and when to use a landing. It is also wise to include a handrail or two. That can prevent falls and provide support as people ascend and descend.

Some key rules

If the stairs are less than a metre wide there should be a handrail on at least one side. It is a good idea to place it on the right to support people as they descend. This is important because falls are more common and potentially more harmful when descending.

When stairs are wider than a metre it is a good idea to have a handrail on either side. Here it is more likely that people will cross on the stairs. Therefore it is a good idea to have a rail on each side that they can use.

It is absolutely crucial that you choose the right height for the handrails. You want them to be easy to reach rather than at a height that is too low or high to be useful. The ideal height is between 900mm and 1,000mm. This is measuring from the pitch line rather than the tread.

The rail itself should be a suitable diameter so it is easy to grip. It should also be a material that does not get slippery. You don't want hands slipping off when people are using it to ascend or descend.

Another good tip is to make sure that the handrail is visible. Using a reflective material or bright colour is wise. You should also make sure that the stairwell itself has the correct lighting.

Talk to us if you need a bespoke handrail

Barrier Mart offers a wide range of high quality safety products. This includes barriers, speed bumps, corner protection, and handrails. We work closely with clients to deliver solutions that will help them to maximise safety. Crucially, we can cater for the specific settings, including indoor and outdoor ones.

So, if you need a durable handrail to protect people using the stairs, rely on us. We can create a product for you and deliver it as quickly as possible.