Alaska Residential Building Code Requirements for Stair Handrail

Alaska Residential Building Code Requirements for Stair Handrail
Written By
Adam Yeomans
Adam Yeomans
Published: Aug 28, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Stair handrails are just one of these items.

Handrail Height

The handrail height must be 34 to 38 inches to conform with the requirements for Alaskan handrails.

Handrail Support

The handrails must also act as a guardrail, supporting at least 200 lbs of lateral pressure to prevent a person from falling off the edge of the stairs. This requires posts that are bolted into the stair framing and connecting with baluster runs and spindles no less than every 4 inches.

Landings

All landings that are more than 30 inches off the ground require a handrail. The handrails must be consistent with the handrails on the stairway and tie into the stair handrails for proper support and lateral strength.

Photo Credits

where do all the steps lead? image by Jake Hellbach from Fotolia.com

where do all the steps lead? image by Jake Hellbach from Fotolia.com

Adam Yeomans

Adam Yeomans has been writing professionally since 2010, with his work appearing on websites such as eHow. He works in the construction industry as a builder and as an energy efficiency consultant.

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