2022 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2023)

11B-505.6 Gripping surface.

Handrail gripping surfaces shall be continuous along their length and shall not be obstructed along their tops or sides. The bottoms of handrail gripping surfaces shall not be obstructed for more than 20 percent of their length. Where provided, horizontal projections shall occur 1½ inches (38 mm) minimum below the bottom of the handrail gripping surface.

Exceptions:

1. Where handrails are provided along walking surfaces with slopes not steeper than 1:20, the bottoms of handrail gripping surfaces shall be permitted to be obstructed along their entire length where they are integral to crash rails or bumper guards.
2. The distance between horizontal projections and the bottom of the gripping surface shall be permitted to be reduced by ¹/₈ inch (3.2 mm) for each ½ inch (12.7 mm) of additional handrail perimeter dimension that exceeds 4 inches (102 mm).

Advisory 11B-505.6 Gripping surface. People with disabilities, older people, and others benefit from continuous gripping surfaces that permit users to reach the fingers outward or downward to grasp the handrail, particularly as the user senses a loss of equilibrium or begins to fall. ◼

FIGURE 11B-505.6 HORIZONTAL PROJECTIONS BELOW GRIPPING SURFACE