Standard height of handrails on stairs according to GOST. How high should the handrails on the stairs be?

The vast majority of stairs for any purpose, as well as platforms located at any significant distance above ground level, are equipped with handrails. What the height of the railing should be in a given case is determined by state standards from the relevant documents (GOST and SNiP). They also regulate the parameters of the fencing of the terrace or balcony of any floor. It is important for specialists involved in the design and installation of such structures to know and comply with these requirements.

Construction and purpose of railings

Installation of handrails on various flights of stairs and landings is carried out for the purpose of:

  1. Ensure the safety of people ascending and descending.
  2. Create additional support for your arms.
  3. Give the interior or exterior of buildings a remarkable appearance.

In order for the above points to be fulfilled, the height of the staircase or landing railings must comply with established standards. This is achieved by selecting the dimensions of all structural parts and following installation technology. Fences of any shape and configuration consist of 3 main elements:

  • support posts located at the beginning and end of the flight of stairs;
  • intermediate posts - balusters;
  • handrails

In a wooden staircase, the railing will be complemented by an installation strip on which the handrail is attached. It serves as a support and absorbs vertical loads, while the balusters must also be designed for lateral impact. The design of stairs may include the installation of racks at some distance from each other. The openings between them are filled with sheet or lattice elements made of various materials, which must also withstand lateral loads.

There is no need to talk about the need to install a fence on a balcony or loggia; this is understandable by default. The only question is what height these railings should be. No less interesting is the question of the height of the handrails installed along the edges of the open terrace area.

General requirements for fencing

The first thing that the standards require in relation to flights of stairs is that fencing must be done on any flights that have 3 steps or more. The remaining requirements relate to the number of railings and their parameters:

  1. The minimum width of the stairs, determined by the distance between the railings, is 900 mm.
  2. The height of the handrails on a public staircase located in a residential or public building must also be at least 900 mm. This requirement applies to flights of stairs located indoors.
  3. The minimum height of handrails for street stairs is 120 cm.
  4. If the span width reaches 1.25 m or more, then according to the standards, a fence should be installed on both sides. With a width of more than 2.5 m, additional handrails are required in the middle of the stairs in order to separate the flow of people and ensure a safer ascent.
  5. A wide flight of stairs (from 1.25 m) running along the wall in the house must be equipped on one side with a special wall handrail.
  6. Stairs with a curved shape and those that are not adjacent to the wall are always fenced on both sides, regardless of the width of the span.
  7. The railings protecting the rise to the attic or attic and the descent to the basement should also have a height of 90 cm.

Practice shows that the most convenient height for people for handrails on flights of stairs is 110 cm. Moreover, their surface should be smooth, without any differences or protruding parts that can injure your hand.

There are also requirements for load: a handrail resting on balusters must withstand at least 30 kg per 1 m of its length. This means that structures with large openings between balusters and infill elements will have to be reinforced so that the railings can withstand the load. For the same purpose, the mounting brackets for wall handrails are located no further than 50 cm from each other. For special fire escapes, the standard load value is even higher - 54 kg per meter of length.

Fences for various purposes

These include the following types of railings:

  • ensuring ease of movement and safety in preschool institutions;
  • blind fences on the balcony or loggia;
  • railings separating the open terrace area;
  • support structures installed on ramps for disabled people.

For buildings of ordinary children's institutions, the standard height of handrails of 90 cm around flights of stairs and landings is not allowed. In accordance with regulatory documents, the fence must be raised to a level of at least 1200 mm. In addition, for children and teenagers it is necessary to install a second row of railings - at a level of 500 mm from the floor.

Balconies and loggias of high-rise apartment buildings pose a danger to both adult residents and small children. Therefore, they are tightly fenced to a height of at least 120 cm. There is another option: a panoramic continuous glazing is installed on the balcony, which at the same time plays the role of a fence. An important condition: the lower part of the translucent structure must withstand a significant lateral load in order to prevent a person from accidentally falling out.

If the floors on an open veranda are raised above ground level by 0.3-0.5 m, then such a structure is usually surrounded by a wooden fence. It serves as insurance against accidental falling off the terrace and related injuries. There are no strict regulatory requirements for these structures, which means their height is selected based on ease of use. It is impractical to install a fence that is too high, and a low one is useless and inconvenient. In order for a homeowner relaxing on the terrace to comfortably lean on the fence, it is necessary to maintain a height of 110 to 120 cm from the floor.

Railings for ramps

This type of fence is installed with the expectation of an increased load of 50 kg applied at any point. When designing and constructing such structures, the following rules must be observed:

  • handrails of ramps at the entrance to public and residential buildings are made at one or two levels parallel to the ascent slope;
  • the upper handrail should be placed at a level of 90 cm from the ramp, the lower - 70-75 cm;
  • the supporting part is made with a projection of 300 mm beyond the last rack;
  • the ends of two-level fences are securely connected to each other;
  • single-level railings are additionally attached to walls or other building structures.

When it comes to fencing ramps at the entrance to preschool institutions or schools, then for disabled children it is necessary to install an additional handrail at a height of 500 mm from the lifting surface.

Have you ever noticed that when going up or down the stairs, out of habit, we try to grab the railing with our hand. On a subconscious level, we feel safer when we hold on to a handrail. Therefore, it is important to follow all the rules for installing railings; they must be of the correct height and have the correct design.

Some novice craftsmen designing flights of stairs do not think about this, but in vain. In this article we will reveal all the important points that you need to pay attention to when planning the railings, and also consider the types of stair railings. Remember: the most important thing is to initially establish the correct dimensions of the railing at the planning stage.

Requirements for various staircase elements

Stair railing design

When starting to design a staircase, it is important to take into account not only such aspects as design and ease of use, but also regulatory documents that establish standards for different types of stairs.

The design of the railing is described:

  • SNiP IV–14–84, section. “Staircase structures” and “Staircases of residential buildings”;
  • GOST 23120–78, “Stairs, landings and steel fences.”

There are cases when experts rely on other norms, but for now we will limit ourselves to this basic list. Of course, this applies to those who are renovating or building a house for themselves. If the work is carried out to order, in this case you will have to agree on the dimensions of all elements with the customer and the relevant authorities.

So, what do the regulations say about step railings?

The first thing you need to know is that your staircase must have railings if it has more than 3 steps. By the way, this requirement does not apply to external capital structures within the same household. Although, even in this case, it is worth installing at least parapets on the sides that will prevent it from falling.

The installation of railings also depends on the size of the flight of stairs. If the flight width is no more than 125 cm, then you will only need to install one handrail, but this is only if the span, on the other hand, is limited by a permanent partition or wall.

For spans with a width of 125 to 250 cm, it is imperative to install railings on the sides of the stairs. If the march is even wider, then experts recommend installing an additional handrail in the center.

If we are talking about curved stairs, then they have railings mounted on both sides. But screw structures are usually fenced on only one side, and all because the second staircase edge is attached to the axial pillar.

Fences and railings can be made in a variety of designs:

  1. The safest are solid ones, which are prefabricated or monolithic panels that are installed on the sides of a flight of stairs. As a rule, these fences are used in public buildings. In private buildings, a monolithic barrier is rarely found, only when constructing an external stepped rise.
  2. The most common designs are lattice. These are handrails that are installed on supporting vertical posts. The space between the support pillars can be filled with vertical balusters or inclined rods. Such elements not only serve as support for the handrail, but also as protection against falls.
  3. Combined handrails - they combine some of the features of the two above-mentioned types. Here the handrails are fixed to the posts, and panels made of glass, plastic, wood, metal, etc. are mounted between them.

Height of fences

The height of stair railings is one of the most important parameters and you must adhere to the dimensions according to GOST. If you violate it, you may not only fine, but it will be simply inconvenient for you to go down or up the stairs with very low railings. Add to this the risk of falling from a height. Let's look at the requirements that are put forward for railings in current regulatory documents:

  1. The railing of a wooden staircase in a residential building should not be lower than 90 cm.
  2. The size of the staircase fencing and the entrance area to the stairs leading to the attic should not be less than 90 cm.
  3. The height of the railings on the external stairs should not be less than 120 cm.
  4. In rooms where children are constantly present, for example, in educational institutions, the railings should not be lower than 118 cm.

In addition to the railings, you can also install wall handrails, which are designed to make it easier to move up the steps. They are also must be installed according to the following rules:

  1. The height of the wall handrail should be equal to the height of the handrail on the free edge of the stairs.
  2. The distance from the wall to the handrail should not be less than 4 cm. The standard design provides for a distance of 7.5 cm from the center of the handrail.

If you are building a house for yourself, and you have children in your house, then you can install an additional handrail on the existing railing, slightly lower than the main one. At what height you install the additional handrail, the height of the handrails and the height of the stair railings depends on how old the child is.

Other items

Not only the dimensions of handrails and railings are determined by standards.

The maximum slope is 1:1.25. In some situations, it is allowed to build staircase structures at an angle of 20 to 450 inside the building.

Within the same span, the steps must be made in the same size. The offset can be up to +/- 5 mm horizontally and vertically. This norm does not apply to the first stage, because it can be partially recessed into the floor covering.

There should be no more than 18 steps in one flight.

The dimensions of the steps are also defined very strictly:

  • step height from 125 to 210 mm;
  • width from 210 to 355 mm.

If the staircase is made in a curved shape, then in the narrowest part of the step there should not be less than 15 cm wide, and in the center - at least 20 cm.

The areas between flights should not be narrower than the stairs adjacent to them.

Methods for making different types of fencing

Wooden

Wooden railings are the easiest to manufacture; they are assembled from 3 basic elements:

  • support pillars (pedestals);
  • handrails;
  • baluster

For production, deciduous and coniferous wood is used. Perfect fit oak, cedar, and larch. Birch, alder, birch and pine will become more affordable in price. You can make wooden railings with your own hands only if you have a woodworking machine. And even then, the whole process will take you a lot of time. Interesting fact: the famous expression “turning balusters” refers to the process of working on balusters on a lathe. The phrase itself hints to you that the work is tedious and lengthy.

Workpieces should always be treated with an antiseptic and then opened with varnish. In some cases, it is allowed to varnish after installing the railings. By the way, the installation of wooden railings is carried out after the installation of other elements of the staircase structure is completed.

Metal

Metal fencing are durable and reliable. However, they are expensive and difficult to manufacture. If you are limited on budget or time, this may be an obstacle for you.

The material used is a profile pipe, because metal fences made of profile pipes are most often installed on external staircase structures.

The staircase can also be made of metal, or it can be made of brick, concrete or stone. If your staircase is made of stone or brick, then in this case it is important to think about installing metal mounting plates at the places where the handrail is attached.

Prefabricated with glass filling

Glass is used very often in interior design today. That is why no one is surprised anymore when they see glass panel railings.

In order to make such a fence, you need to order panels made of heat-resistant glass or triplex. Ordinary glass, even very dense glass, should not be used, because... the fence will be fragile and unreliable.

Conclusion

When designing and building internal staircase structures, do not lose sight of a single detail; check every step with regulatory documents. This applies to such parameters as the height of the railings on the stairs, the size of the steps, and the design of the railing. Remember that meeting the requirements of GOSTs and SNiPs will not only lead you to a staircase design that will bring you comfort, but also the safety of your entire family.

August 9, 2009


Modern construction and technical standards require that buildings be equipped with stair railings. These structures consist of several components, and various materials are used in their manufacture.

Types of fencing


Design features of fencing

According to established standards, a staircase consisting of three or more steps must be equipped with enclosing structures. If the lift is carried out along the wall, then in order to save free space, wall handrails are used. They are fixed at a distance of 5-7 centimeters from the wall.
Along with handrails and railings, balusters are the basic component of fencing. These are vertical load-bearing posts that can have different shapes. As a rule, they are installed at a distance of up to 900 millimeters with fastening from above into the step. If the flights of stairs are of sufficient width, the supporting posts can also be fixed at the end of the step. The plane of the enclosing structure is removed from the flight of stairs. Thanks to this, the width of the passage remains unchanged.
The space between the balusters is filled with vertical, longitudinal or inclined tubes or rods. It is also possible to use screen-type panels or glass.
Railings can have either a prefabricated or welded structure. The second option allows you to obtain a product without connecting seams. Such railings have a smooth surface without protrusions and look monolithic. In the manufacture of welded structures made of stainless steel, the argon-arc welding method is used. During the welding process carried out in this way, the metal does not spatter, and the structure itself acquires increased rigidity.
If the width of the flight of stairs exceeds 1.25 meters, it is necessary to install railings on both sides. And when arranging stairs more than 2.5 meters wide, additional railings are installed in the center.

Materials

The use of stainless steel and glass in the production of enclosing structures is the optimal solution.

  1. Stainless steel products. Such enclosing structures have many advantages. They are resistant to corrosion processes and at the same time have an aesthetic appearance. The functionality and practicality of stainless steel fencing makes it possible to install them in common areas. Due to their excellent hygienic properties, such structures are widely used in children's and medical institutions. Stainless steel fences do not require special care and do not change their characteristics when exposed to aggressive environments. Railings for stainless steel lattice fencing consist of posts and parallel longitudinal crossbars (as a rule, their number varies from 2 to 8 pieces). The crossbars are fixed using holders, pass through the baluster or are welded directly into the rack. In the manufacture of such structures, pipes of different sections with a diameter of 8 to 25 millimeters are used. One of the most popular types of stainless steel fencing are products with vertical filling between the posts. Most often they can be seen in preschool institutions and shopping centers. When choosing structures of this type, it is worth considering that the maximum distance between elements should be no more than 100 millimeters (GOST 25772-83 clause 1.3).
  2. Fences with glass. Such designs look aesthetically pleasing and stylish and look harmonious on almost all types of stairs, including spiral ones. Transparent, frosted, tinted glass panels in combination with stainless railings will be an excellent addition to a modern interior. Fixing the glass between the racks is carried out in various ways. The simplest of them is the use of clamping glass holders. They allow you to do without drilling glass. As a rule, clamping glass holders are used with racks of non-standard cross-section. When arranging enclosing structures, different types of glass can be used: raw and tempered triplex, ordinary tempered glass, or a combination of raw and tempered glass. At the request of the client, it can be given any shade, decorated with a pattern, engraved or even backlit.

GOST and SNiP requirements for railings and enclosing structures

  • According to GOST 25772-83 (clauses 1.2, 1.3), the height of lattice, screen, and combined internal fences must be at least 900 millimeters. At the same time, the presence of handrails on the stairs of residential and public buildings is a mandatory requirement (SNiP 2.08.01-89 clause 1.17; SNiP 2.08.02-89 clause 1.91).
  • The design and manufacture of fencing must be carried out in accordance with the parameters reflected in GOST 23120-78 (clauses 1, 2).
  • Elements of the enclosing structure should not have sharp protrusions or edges.
  • Handrails in residential and public buildings must withstand a load of 0.3 kN/m, which is 30 kgf/m (SNiP 2.01.07-85 clause 3.11).
  • Enclosing structures must meet fire resistance requirements (GOST 30247-94 clause 5-9).
  • Fire safety standards require compliance with a certain width of the flight of stairs (SNiP 2.08.02-89). According to clause 1.96, in public buildings it must correspond to the width of the exit to the staircase from the most populated floor. If we are talking about buildings in which the number of people simultaneously staying on the floor is on average 5, the width of the flight cannot be less than 0.9 meters. For buildings in which up to 200 people are simultaneously located on the most populated floor, this parameter is 1.2 meters, and for more than 200 - 1.35 meters.
  • Along with fire resistance, enclosing structures must be reliably protected from corrosion processes (SNiP 2.03.11-85 clause 5; SNiP 3.04.03-85 clause 2.1-2.8, 3).
  • According to GOST 25772-83 clause 1.3, balcony railings must meet a number of requirements:


The PerilaGlavSnab company produces stair railings with a quality guarantee. Having our own production base allows us to offer our customers modern technological solutions in this area and fulfill orders on time.

A guardrail is an element of a staircase that will ensure safe ascent and descent. When designing, you need to pay special attention to its calculation. There are many requirements for fencing to ensure its safety. We will tell you what the correct height of the handrails on the stairs should be.

What are fencing made of?

Fences consist of the following elements:

  • support posts;
  • balusters;
  • railing

Handrail height according to GOST

The support posts are functional; other fencing parts are attached to them. They can be decorated with decorative elements, such as balls.

Performs the function of a fence. They can be interestingly decorated.

They serve as a support for the hands.

What types of railings are there?

Based on their design, the following types of railings are distinguished:

  • classic - on support posts;
  • solid - in the form of solid panels;
  • artistic - the space between the racks is filled with decorative elements.

Metal railing

Railings are made from:

  • wood;
  • metal;
  • stone;
  • glass

Forged railings for stairs

The most common options are wooden or metal.

Handrails made of wood are pleasant to the touch. This is an environmentally friendly material. It is used for railings in private houses and apartments, as wood is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.

Metal railings are strong and durable, they last up to 30 years. Most often, fences are made of stainless steel. This material is not subject to corrosion and does not require additional painting. Such railings are resistant to impacts, explosions or fire.

Metal railings

Often in stair railings you can find a combination of two materials. The support posts and balusters are made of metal, and the railings are made of wood.

The design of the railing depends on the design of the staircase.

For traditional marching stairs, the railings consist of straight structures.

Spiral staircases have a curved shape.

General requirements for the size of handrails for stairs

Handrails as part of the fence must be on all stairs that have more than three steps. They should also be on open stairwells. If the staircase is installed close to the wall, railings are not necessary, but it is advisable to install wall handrails.

  1. The thickness of the round handrail must be at least 5 centimeters in cross section. Rectangular railings will be from 2.5 to 3 centimeters thick.
  2. At the bottom and top of the stairs, the railings should protrude 30 centimeters. The protruding areas must be horizontal.
  3. The distance from the wall to the railing is 5-7 centimeters.
  4. Handrails on ramps must be strictly parallel to the ramp.
  5. It is recommended to make the ends of the railings rounded.
  6. The surface should be smooth, without parts that can catch on.

Wooden railings according to GOST

Height of handrails on stairs according to GOST and SNiP

The standard height of stair railings is regulated by standards. It is different for different types of premises.

Standard height of staircase railings in a private house

The height of the handrails on the stairs in a private house is determined based on the average height of a person. The height of the railing on the stairs in a private house should be such that a person does not fall when leaning over the fence. At the same time, it should be comfortable - neither too high nor too low.

Railings in a private house

The height of the handrail surface should be:

  • top handrail for adults – 90 centimeters;
  • lower handrail for school-age children – 70–75 centimeters;
  • for preschoolers – 50 centimeters.

Size of handrails for stairs in childcare facilities

Railings in institutions for children (kindergartens, clinics) are installed at a height of 50 centimeters. You can make an additional handrail for adults at a height of 90 centimeters.

An additional requirement is that the distance between the balusters should not exceed 15 cm.

Metal railings

The height of the railings on the stairs in a school according to GOST

In schools, railings are installed at a height of 120 centimeters. This is done so that children do not fall over the fence when running during recess.

What should be the height of the railing on a fire escape?

A fire escape should be in any public building with several floors. According to standards, the railings should be at a height of 120 centimeters.

Now you know what the height of the railings on the stairs in a private house or public building should be. staircase with us, you can be sure that we will design the fencing in accordance with all standards.

The height of the handrails on the stairs is subject to strict regulation. This is due to the fact that guardrails are primarily designed to protect people who move along steps from falling. Despite the wild imagination of designers and the huge options for decorating railings, craftsmen must comply with the requirements regarding their height, material of manufacture, type of fastening and level of strength.

Height of railings and fences: GOST and SNiP requirements

The main dimensions and parameters of stair railings are indicated in administrative documents such as GOST and SNiP. In accordance with their points, every structure containing more than three steps must be equipped with railings. Their height and type depend on the location of the staircase, its width and frequency of use. Fences can only be installed on one side if the width of the structure does not exceed 125 cm and the other side is adjacent to a wall or permanent structure. Larger objects require railings on both sides. A feature of very wide stairs, which reach 250 cm, is the need to build fences not only on the sides, but also in the center.

But that is not all. The standard height of railings along the stairs of private houses differs from the parameters of railings erected in public buildings or in educational institutions. Based on the fact that the latter are designed for more intensive traffic, greater attention is paid to the safety of people.

Fencing in residential buildings

The height of the stairs above six meters must be at least one meter. For lower structures, it is necessary to erect railings, the dimensions of which are not less than 90 cm. If the room is equipped with ramps, they must also be accompanied by fences. For different categories of users, handrails are installed at 70 and 90 cm. This design allows us to meet the needs of people with limited mobility who travel on foot or in a wheelchair.

Rules governing the construction of stair railings in public buildings

Handrails and railings installed in rooms where a large number of people stay daily are subject to much greater loads than staircase elements in private homes. For this reason, increased attention is paid to their manufacture and installation. The minimum height of handrails on stairs in a public building is set at 90 cm. Schools and other educational organizations become exceptions. Here, fences should be erected no lower than 120 cm. If we are talking about institutions where children with a slow development rate are taught, then the mandatory height of the railings increases to 180 cm. At the same time, the distance between the balusters cannot exceed 10 cm. This is due to the fact that with wider gaps there is a risk of injury to children caught in the fence. The required strength for railings is the same as for residential premises. They must withstand a load of at least 30 kg/cm 3 .

Other types of fencing

GOST contains requirements for the equipment of roofs in use. If it is possible for people to exit onto the roof of a building, fences should be placed along its edge. The minimum height of railings on the roofs of buildings with a height of more than 10 m is 60 cm. Only steel is used for their manufacture. When equipping buildings up to 30 m, railings one meter high are placed on the roof. For taller houses, the size of the fences increases to 120 cm. If there is a low parapet on the roof, the dimensions of the railings mounted on this base may be smaller than those installed. However, the total height of the fence must comply with the standard. If the architecture of the room contains an internal podium or elevation for another purpose, it must be fenced. The height of the railing according to GOST is 90 cm.

Non-standard fencing and its features

Curvilinear (spiral) staircase structures must be equipped with railings on both sides. This is not necessary when constructing spiral staircases. After all, they are located around a support pillar. If necessary, a person can use the railing to maintain balance. Designers and craftsmen must strictly fulfill these requirements, since curved structures are more dangerous than traditional straight or rotary ones.

Types of fencing structures

The type of railing is chosen based on the design and configuration of the staircase. When designing this element, the following factors are taken into account:

  • Materials used in the construction of stairs.
  • Purpose and height of fences.
  • Rules and regulations regarding a specific type of fencing.

The most common are metal railings. It can be used in combination with other materials (concrete, wood, glass, stone, gypsum). When building residential buildings, many owners give preference to wooden structures. You can install, paint and repair them yourself.

Glass and concrete fencing

For stairs whose railings are made of glass, the requirements for strength and safety of the material are considered one of the most important. There are special rules and standards for such fencing structures. They involve the use of laminated, reinforced or tempered glass.

Based on popularity and fencing, standards have also been developed for them. must contain metal reinforcement. True, this still does not put them on a par with the full GOST, which indicates the level of minimum horizontal load that the railings must withstand: 30 kg/cm 3 . Concrete balusters that are unstable in shape or cast from poor quality material may not meet this standard. To increase the safety of such a staircase, craftsmen resort to placing strong vertical pillars along the edges of its flights. Their size can be larger than the height of the railing, and the material is either metal or concrete. Finished fencing structures must be checked. They control all the main parameters: height, strength, reliability of fastening. Identification of discrepancies may result in the application of penalties.