Stair Handrail Extensions

[JKW05]

The current ADA homepage has a link to a copy of the 1994 ADA Standards which shows the 12"+1 tread dimension for the handrail extension at the bottom of a stair:

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/stdspdf.htm

I purchased "ADA and ABA Accessibillity Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities" from Construction Book Express dated July 2004 which shows just a 12" extension being required at the bottom of a stair, which is consistent with ICC/ANSI A117 and IBC.

http://www.constructionbook.com/americans-with-disabilities-act-set-2003-2004/ada-code/

Does anyone know if the 12" + 1 tread rule is still required or is the Deptartment of Justice website just 13 years out of date?

 

[stookeyfpe]

See the accessibility section in the 2006 IBC.

 

[JKW05]

I am aware of the IBC requirements! I noted that in my original post. My question is: Does the 1994 ADA info published on the DOJ web site apply as well as the IBC? If so, it would seem the more stringent requirement would have to be followed. Do the Federal standards published on their web site apply? I have not been able to find anything that says the info published by Construction Book Express has been adopted by the Federal Government.

 

[DonPhillips]

Typically, the building code is what is adopted and what is enforced. ADAAG, unless specifically referenced in the building code, is a federal law that is enforced by the Department of Justice on a complaint basis.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[Bagman2524]

Last I heard ADA was getting rid of the extra 12 inch horizontal requirement for handrail extensions at the bottom of stairs. Thus the handrail requirements would be same as IBC commericial. I.e. 12 inches horizontal extension at the top of stairs and 1 projected tread depth extension at the bottom of stairs.

Last I checked though the Department of Justice had not adopted the Accessibility Guidelines. The Accessibility Guidelines are published by the "Access Board" which is basicially an independent organization of Architects and other professionals. The Guidelines don't become law until adopted by the DOJ.