Handrail

A handrail is a - usually profiled - retention and leadership opportunity for the hands of people within reach. Handrails are usually made ​​in the form of rods, sheets or strips. Common materials are metal, wood, wood products or plastic. A handrail may be the upper part of a balustrade or a parapet. It can also be mounted directly on a wall.

Requirements

The legislator prescribes a "fixed" handrail. Rope, so handrails made ​​of rope are intended only as an ornament, as they can give in a fall. Handrails should be as rounded and have a diameter of 20 to 45 mm. You should be continuous and are performed as possible on the first and last step beyond. For round handrails of wood, the VOB / DIN 18334 is a minimum diameter of 48 mm, or alternatively to a rectangular cross- section of at least 40x60 mm.

Handrails on stairs

Handrails are often found in connection with stairs. Whether, where and how many handrails are required by law to a staircase depends on the number of steps ( slopes ) of stair width and intended use of each building from. In Germany this is regulated in the state building codes and numerous other regulations. Special building codes often require handrails on both sides, such as hospitals and nursing homes, in schools and kindergartens, in sales and in public places, hotels and restaurants, etc.

In public buildings Handrails are required on both sides of the stairs, so that is given on both sides, a secure hold. This provision also applies to listed buildings, as the case-law, the safety of the users of the monument. In the state building codes of the individual provinces handrails on both sides are often prescribed for all the necessary steps and escape stairs. In residential construction - if more than two apartments are not accessible without steps - are required on both sides of the stairs to the safety of the elderly or disabled handrails. The wall handrail shall be located within the usable stair width. How handrails must be performed, regulate standards: in Germany the DIN standards, in Switzerland, the SIA standards and in Austria ÖNORM standards. The wall handrails ( dialect also railings, banisters, stair handrail, handrails ) to be rich in contrast to the background, so that they are seen. They should be gripped around, Recommendation round to oval, about 30-45 mm, they should provide a secure grip and hand- warm. You must be constantly applied to a height of 85 cm to 90 cm, also in front of window and wall openings and at least 30 cm above the first and last step to run. Tactile - so noticeable and contrasting elements as possible - intended to signal the beginning and end.

History

The handrail, usually with a round knob was extremely helpful in the fine ladies in multi-storey mansions. The ladies wore skirts predominantly broad. This allowed them when lowering below the stairs is not possible to see or estimate the levels. Therefore, one manufactured railing with a helpful support: usually was every meter - or former measurement Elle - a knob used in the handrail. Thus, it was the women's possible to feel the landings by means of the knob at a certain distance, and thus to anticipate a safe step down and not rush things.