Handrails on Exterior Stairs in Common Areas

Started by DavidB20 • 12 replies • 3417 views

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DavidB20 (Michigan)
Posts: 3

Posted:

As a new board member for our HOA I was asked to research whether or not handrails should be required on a newly constructed stairway in a common area of our subdivision that leads to a boardwalk at the lake waters edge. The local building authority maintains the structure in not attached to a dwelling & therefore is described as "LANDSCAPING". I believe on the other hand that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and handrails should be added to reduce the risk of liability.

Most Building Codes are very vague on this area....BOCA/ANSI/OSHA/ADA/HUD/FHA Codes & Standards may or may not apply......

Any Code or Reference/Case Law would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Dave in Michigan

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

David,

I think it would be a very good idea. Even persons who are not handicapped need the support of a handrail, not to mention children. Sorry I don't have a code or case law reference, just using my common sense!

BTW, remember the old adage: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

David,

I have never heard of any stairs that are not required to have handrails. Geez, how much money could it cost to install them verses a lawsuit when someone stumbles and goes over the edge.

JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,569

Posted:

The German paraphrase comes to mind: "IDIOTEN"

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Aurora, CO. code requires handrails when there are more than 2 steps. That seems like a reasonable guideline to me.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Roger,
Can you even believe that we are having a discussion about this?

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

Before we all jump onboard and state handrails for a stairway, I want to step back and ask "What do you mean when you say stairway?"

A traditional stair step rising from height A to height B, with steps along a riser at even spacings, usually used to ascend and descend slopes or elevations immediately comes to mind.

And then, I think about a lot of other things: a natural path/trail, winding from the beach to a boardwalk, with broad steps cut into the side of a gently rolling hill. Or a trail, with log steps every five feet, winding gently up the side of a hill, past some oaks, to get from the lake to the cabin. I have been to hundreds of lakes, national parks, etc. that have "stairways" to get you up and down, and there's no need or sense for handrails, because their is no fall hazard.

So, what is your "stairway"? Is there a fall hazard?

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Donna when I moved into my COA ten years ago half of the buildings are designed so that the bottom four units can be accessed with no stairs via a walkway to the back door; the other half have no back door and one to three steps to the front door with iron railings. The buildings with the back doors had no railings on the front steps, so at the request of the homeowners the Board decided to install them. One woman (self-appointed queen of the complex) threw a hissy fit over it and tried to recall the Board. And just to prove there is karma, due to medical problems she is now must use the railings (which were installed) to get into her building.

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Glen,

I DO BELIEVE IN KARMA! To me this is just nonsense to wonder if they should be installed. Many Federal Parks do not have railings, they have signs, "bend over the cliff at your own risk" so the steps at a park is no arguement at all. That is a risk to the individual only. Going up or down stairs on a daily basis is now a numbers game. It's just a matter of when it a fall will happen.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

just to clarify, i wasn't comparing an HOA to a national park, i was comparing some types of stairways to others. Without knowing what this stairway is, I can picture, and easily see, a stairway cut into a bank or slope that leads up/down to a water's edge or boardwalk that would not require handrails at all, as there is never a fall hazard. I can also see a stairway constructed on the same slope that would require handrails. But until I understand the type of stairway, I cannot offer a solid opinion that "it does" or "does not" require handrails.

It depends, to me, on what type of stairway it is; incut or build out, etc.. This isn't the best example, but it shows one type of stairway that arguably would not need a handrail, as the fall hazard is negligible. http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/0e/49/f6/stairway-to-hotel-from.jpg

DavidB20 (Michigan)
Posts: 3

Posted:

I Agree, Thank you very much!

Dave/MI

MarieL (Illinois)
Posts: 82

Posted:

I believe the Americans with Disabilities Act, a Federal law may require hand raiils must be installed on the walkway.Check this law, it may provide an answer to your question.

DavidB20 (Michigan)
Posts: 3

Posted:

Thanks Mariel,

I spent some a time @ our Local Library researching The "Michigan State Building Code Book for 2006" and it cites language for stairs as applies to common areas of circulation paths by pedestrians. There is compelling evidence that the stairs should conform to other building standards with regard to safety.

Thanks again for all those that responded to my post,

Dave/MI

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