Section 1014 — HANDRAILS

[DSA-AC] In addition to the requirements of this section, means of egress, which provide access to, or egress from, buildings or facilities where accessibility is required for applications listed in Section 1.9.1 regulated by the Division of the State Architect—Access Compliance, shall also comply with Chapter 11A or Chapter 11B, Section 11B-505, as applicable.

Handrails serving flights of stairways, ramps, stepped aisles and ramped aisles shall be adequate in strength and attachment in accordance with Section 1607.9. Handrails required for flights of stairways by Section 1011.11 shall comply with Sections 1014.2 through 1014.10. Handrails required for ramps by Section 1012.8 shall comply with Sections 1014.2 through 1014.9. Handrails for stepped aisles and ramped aisles required by Section 1030.16 shall comply with Sections 1014.2 through 1014.9.

Handrail height, measured from a line connecting the nosings of flights of stairs or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be uniform, not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm). Handrail height of alternating tread devices and ship’s ladders, measured from a line connecting the nosings, shall be uniform, not less than 30 inches (762 mm) and not more than 34 inches (864 mm).

Exceptions:

1. Where handrail fittings or bendings are used to provide continuous transition between flights, the fittings or bendings shall be permitted to exceed the maximum height.
2. In Group R-3 occupancies; within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; and in Group U occupancies that are associated with a Group R-3 occupancy or associated with individual dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; where handrail fittings or bendings are used to provide continuous transition between flights, transition at winder treads, transition from handrail to guard, or where used at the start of a flight, the handrail height at the fittings or bendings shall be permitted to exceed the maximum height.
3. Handrails on top of a guard where permitted along stepped aisles and ramped aisles in accordance with Section 1030.16.

Handrails located outward from the edge of the walking surface of flights of stairways, ramps, stepped aisles and ramped aisles shall be located 6 inches (152.4 mm) or less measured horizontally from the edge of the walking surface. Handrails projecting into the width of the walking surface shall comply with Section 1014.9.

Required handrails shall comply with Section 1014.4.1 or shall provide equivalent graspability.

Exception: In Group R-3 occupancies; within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; and in Group U occupancies that are accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy or accessory to individual dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; handrails shall be Type I in accordance with Section 1014.4.1, Type II in accordance with Section 1014.4.2 or shall provide equivalent graspability. 1014.4.1 Type I. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of not less than 1 [1] / 4 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). Where the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of not less than 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 6 [1] / 4 inches (160 mm) with a maximum cross-sectional dimension of 2 [1] / 4 inches (57 mm) and minimum cross-sectional dimension of 1 inch (25 mm). Edges shall have a minimum radius of 0.01 inch (0.25 mm). 1014.4.2 Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than 6 [1] / 4 inches (160 mm) shall provide a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile. The finger recess shall begin within a distance of [3] / 4 inch (19 mm) measured vertically from the tallest portion of the profile and achieve a depth of not less than [5] / 16 inch (8 mm) within [7] / 8 inch (22 mm) below the widest portion of the profile. This required depth shall continue for not less than [3] / 8 inch (10 mm) to a level that is not less than 1 [3] / 4 inches (45 mm) below the tallest portion of the profile. The width of the handrail above the recess shall be not less than 1 [1] / 4 inches (32 mm) to not greater than 2 [3] / 4 inches (70 mm). Edges shall have a minimum radius of 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).

Handrail gripping surfaces shall be continuous, without interruption by newel posts or other obstructions.

Exceptions:

1. Within a dwelling unit that is not an Accessible unit, the continuity of handrail gripping surfaces is allowed to be interrupted by a newel post at a turn or landing.
2. Within a dwelling unit, the use of a volute, turnout, starting easing or starting newel is allowed over the lowest tread.
3. Handrail brackets or balusters attached to the bottom surface of the handrail that do not project horizontally beyond the sides of the handrail within 1 [1] / 2 inches (38 mm) of the bottom of the handrail shall not be considered obstructions. For each [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm) of additional handrail perimeter dimension above 4 inches (102 mm), the vertical clearance dimension of 1 [1] / 2 inches (38 mm) shall be permitted to be reduced by [1] / 8 inch (3.2 mm).
4. Where handrails are provided along walking surfaces with slopes not steeper than 1:20, the bottoms of the handrail gripping surfaces shall be permitted to be obstructed along their entire length where they are integral to crash rails or bumper guards.

10-36 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

MEANS OF EGRESS

5. Handrails serving stepped aisles or ramped aisles are permitted to be discontinuous in accordance with Section 1030.16.1.

Handrails shall return to a wall, guard or the walking surface or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent flight of stairs or ramp run. Where handrails are not continuous between flights, the handrails shall extend horizontally not less than 12 inches (305 mm) beyond the top landing nosing and continue to slope for the depth of one tread beyond the bottom tread nosing. At ramps where handrails are not continuous between runs, the handrails shall extend horizontally above the landing 12 inches (305 mm) minimum beyond the top and bottom of ramp runs. The extensions of handrails shall be in the same direction of the flights of stairs at stairways and the ramp runs at ramps and shall extend the required minimum length before any change in direction or decrease in the clearance required by Section 1014.5 or 1014.8.

Exceptions:

1. Handrails within a dwelling unit that is not required to be accessible need extend only from the top riser to the bottom riser.

2. Handrails serving aisles in rooms or spaces used for assembly purposes are permitted to comply with the handrail extensions in accordance with Section 1030.16.

3. Handrails for alternating tread devices and ships ladders are permitted to terminate at a location vertically above the top and bottom risers. Handrails for alternating tread devices are not required to be continuous between flights or to extend beyond the top or bottom risers.

Clear space between a handrail and a wall or other surface shall be not less than 1 [1] / 2 inches (38 mm). A handrail and a wall or other surface adjacent to the handrail shall be free of any sharp or abrasive elements.

Exceptions:

1. A decrease in the clearance due to the curvature or angle of handrail returns shall be allowed.
2. Mounting flanges not more than [1] / 2 -inch (12.7 mm) in thickness at the returned ends of handrails shall be allowed.

On ramps and on ramped aisles that are part of an accessible route, the clear width between handrails shall be 36 inches (914 mm) minimum. Projections into the required width of aisles, stairways and ramps at each side shall not exceed 4 [1] / 2 inches (114 mm) at or below the handrail height. Projections into the required width shall not be limited above the minimum headroom height required in Section 1011.3. Projections due to intermediate handrails shall not constitute a reduction in the egress width. Where a pair of intermediate handrails are provided within the stairway width without a walking surface between the pair of intermediate handrails and the distance between the pair of intermediate handrails is greater than 6 inches (152 mm), the available egress width shall be reduced by the distance between the closest edges of each such intermediate pair of handrails that is greater than 6 inches (152 mm). In Group I-2 occupancy ramps required for exit access shall not be less than 8 ft in width and handrails are permitted to protrude 3 [ 1] / 2 inches from the wall on both sides. Ramps used as exits and stairways used for the movement of bed and litter patients, the clear width between handrails shall be 44 inches (1118 mm) minimum.

[HCD 1-AC] In addition, projections shall comply with Chapter 11A, when applicable.

Stairways shall have intermediate handrails located in such a manner that all portions of the stairway minimum width or required capacity are within 30 inches (762 mm) of a handrail. On monumental stairs, handrails shall be located along the most direct path of egress travel.