Handrails

• There should be at least one handrail on a stairway . 
• If the stairway is greater than 1m , two handrails are required . 
• Where the stairway is greater than 1.8m wide , a handrail should be used to divide the stairway . 
• The height of the handrails should be between 900mm and 1m . 
• For use by disable people , the handrails should be 900 to 1100mm above the landing height and 900mm to 1m above the pitch line of the stair , the handrails should also start 300mm before the firtst step and end at the top step . 
• Handrails should be provided against the bottom two steps in public buildings , but need not be provided in private dwellings , which are not intended for use by disabled people . 
• Guards to prevent falling must be used where there is a drop of more than 600mm