2022 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2023)
11B-505.10 Handrail extensions.
Handrail gripping surfaces shall extend beyond and in the same direction of stair flights and ramp runs in accordance with Section 11B-505.10.
Exceptions:
- Extensions shall not be required for continuous handrails at the inside turn of switchback or dogleg stairs and ramps.
- In assembly areas, extensions shall not be required for ramp handrails in aisles serving seating where the handrails are discontinuous to provide access to seating and to permit crossovers within aisles.
- In alterations, where the extension of the handrail in the direction of stair flight or ramp run would create a hazard, the extension of the handrail may be turned 90 degrees from the direction of stair flight or ramp run.
[2010 ADA Standards] 3. In alterations, full extensions of handrails shall not be required where such extensions would be hazardous due to plan configuration.
ETA Editor's Note
CBC 11B-505.10 Exception 3 is more stringent than 2010 ADA Standards, which allows the handrail extensions to be eliminated in alterations where they would be hazardous. Handrail extensions are never permitted to turn 90 degrees at new stairs or new ramps, either by CBC or ADA Standards, except at continuous inside handrails (per Exception 1).
11B-505.10.1 Top and bottom extension at ramps.
Ramp handrails shall extend horizontally above the landing for 12 inches (305 mm) minimum beyond the top and bottom of ramp runs. Extensions shall return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent ramp run.
11B-505.10.2 Top extension at stairs.
At the top of a stair flight, handrails shall extend horizontally above the landing for 12 inches (305 mm) minimum beginning directly above the first riser nosing. Extensions shall return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight.
11B-505.10.3 Bottom extension at stairs.
At the bottom of a stair flight, handrails shall extend at the slope of the stair flight for a horizontal distance equal to one tread depth beyond the last riser nosing. The horizontal extension of a handrail shall be 12 inches (305 mm) long minimum and a height equal to that of the sloping portion of the handrail as measured above the stair nosings. Extension shall return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight.
[2010 ADA Standards] 505.10.3 Bottom Extension at Stairs. At the bottom of a stair flight, handrails shall extend at the slope of the stair flight for a horizontal distance at least equal to one tread depth beyond the last riser nosing. Extension shall return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight.
ETA Editor's Note
The CBC 11B-505.10.3 requirement for bottom handrail extension at stairs is more stringent than 2010 ADA Standards, which was revised from 1991 ADAAG.
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