I am considering removing a non-loadbearing wall in my dinning room exposing the basement stairwell and replacing it with a railing. The question is…. at what height should the railing be? I have seen anywhere from 30″ to 48″ as the requirement….
Any Ideas ?
Replies
Check your local building codes....`round here it`s 34". High enough for adults, low enough for children.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
If i'm not mistaken (and I might be, I loaned my code book out yesterday) the ICC 2000 says between 34" and 36" for handrails.
P.S. I needed my code book about 50 differant times today.
34" to 38" for stair rail. If you are referring to a balcony rail to protect the stairwell opening it's 42" here in FL. But there's another section in the code that allows for 36" that is contradictory and I have not found that answer yet.
Best bet is to check with the local building inspector (if you have one) because their interpretation is what counts.
Edited 11/11/2003 11:47:24 PM ET by Ralph Wicklund