Commercial Building Stairway Handrail Requirements: Safety & Regulations

In commercial buildings, handrails are required on both sides of a stairway when:

1. The stairway has four or more risers.

2. The stairway is open on one or both sides.

3. The stairway is located in a public area such as a lobby or hallway.

4. The stairway is used by people other than employees, such as customers or visitors.

These regulations are in place to help ensure the safety of people using stairways in commercial buildings. Handrails provide support and stability, allowing people to climb and descend stairs safely. By requiring handrails on both sides of stairways, the risk of slips, trips, and falls is reduced.