The height of the railing on the stairs: dimensions and dimensions. What is important to know about the height of railings for stairs and landings Height of stair railings

Have you ever noticed that when going up or down the stairs, out of habit, we try to grab the railing with our hand. On a subconscious level, we feel safer when we hold on to a handrail. Therefore, it is important to follow all the rules for installing railings; they must be of the correct height and have the correct design.

Some novice craftsmen designing flights of stairs do not think about this, but in vain. In this article we will reveal all the important points that you need to pay attention to when planning the railings, and also consider the types of stair railings. Remember: the most important thing is to initially establish the correct dimensions of the railing at the planning stage.

Requirements for various staircase elements

Stair railing design

When starting to design a staircase, it is important to take into account not only such aspects as design and ease of use, but also regulatory documents that establish standards for different types of stairs.

The design of the railings is described:

• SNiP IV–14–84, section. “Staircase structures” and “Staircases of residential buildings”;
• GOST 23120–78, “Stairs, landings and steel fences.”

There are cases when experts rely on other norms, but for now we will limit ourselves to this basic list. Of course, this applies to those who are renovating or building a house for themselves. If the work is carried out to order, in this case you will have to agree on the dimensions of all elements with the customer and the relevant authorities.

So, what do the regulations say about step railings?

The first thing you need to know is that your staircase must have railings if it has more than 3 steps. By the way, this requirement does not apply to external capital structures within the same household. Although, even in this case, it is worth installing at least parapets on the sides that will prevent it from falling.

The installation of railings also depends on the size of the flight of stairs. If the flight width is no more than 125 cm, then you will only need to install one handrail, but this is only if the span, on the other hand, is limited by a permanent partition or wall.

For spans with a width of 125 to 250 cm, it is imperative to install railings on the sides of the stairs. If the march is even wider, then experts recommend installing an additional handrail in the center.

If we are talking about curved stairs, then they have railings mounted on both sides. But screw structures are usually fenced on only one side, and all because the second staircase edge is attached to the axial pillar.

Fences and railings can be made in a variety of designs:

1. The safest are solid ones, which are prefabricated or monolithic panels that are installed on the sides of a flight of stairs. As a rule, these fences are used in public buildings. In private buildings, a monolithic barrier is rarely found, only when constructing an external stepped rise.
2. The most common designs are lattice. These are handrails that are installed on supporting vertical posts. The space between the support pillars can be filled with vertical balusters or inclined rods. Such elements not only serve as support for the handrail, but also as protection against falls.
3. Combined handrails - they combine some of the features of the two above-mentioned types. Here the handrails are fixed to the posts, and panels made of glass, plastic, wood, metal, etc. are mounted between them.

Height of fences

The height of stair railings is one of the most important parameters and you must adhere to the dimensions according to GOST. If you violate it, you may not only fine, but it will be simply inconvenient for you to go down or up the stairs with very low railings. Add to this the risk of falling from a height. Let's look at the requirements that are put forward for railings in current regulatory documents:

1. The railing of a wooden staircase in a residential building should not be lower than 90 cm.
2. The size of the staircase fencing and the entrance area to the stairs leading to the attic should not be less than 90 cm.
3. The height of the railings on the external stairs should not be less than 120 cm.
4. In rooms where children are constantly present, for example, in educational institutions, the railings should not be lower than 118 cm.

In addition to the railings, you can also install wall handrails, which are designed to make it easier to move up the steps. They are also must be installed according to the following rules:

1. The height of the wall handrail should be equal to the height of the handrail on the free edge of the stairs.
2. The distance from the wall to the handrail should not be less than 4 cm. The standard design provides for a distance of 7.5 cm from the center of the handrail.

If you are building a house for yourself, and you have children in your house, then you can install an additional handrail on the existing railing, slightly lower than the main one. At what height you install the additional handrail, the height of the handrails and the height of the stair railings depends on how old the child is.

Other items

Not only the dimensions of handrails and railings are determined by standards.

The maximum slope is 1:1.25. In some situations, it is allowed to build staircase structures at an angle of 20 to 450 inside the building.

Within the same span, the steps must be made in the same size. The offset can be up to +/- 5 mm horizontally and vertically. This norm does not apply to the first stage, because it can be partially recessed into the floor covering.

There should be no more than 18 steps in one flight.

The dimensions of the steps are also defined very strictly:

• step height from 125 to 210 mm;
• width from 210 to 355 mm.

If the staircase is made in a curved shape, then in the narrowest part of the step there should not be less than 15 cm wide, and in the center - at least 20 cm.

The areas between flights should not be narrower than the stairs adjacent to them.

Methods for making different types of fencing

Wooden

Wooden railings are the easiest to manufacture; they are assembled from 3 basic elements:

• support pillars (pedestals);
• handrails;
• baluster

For production, deciduous and coniferous wood is used. Perfect fit oak, cedar, and larch. Birch, alder, birch and pine will become more affordable in price. You can make wooden railings with your own hands only if you have a woodworking machine. And even then, the whole process will take you a lot of time. Interesting fact: The well-known expression “turning balusters” refers to the process of working on balusters on a lathe. The phrase itself hints to you that the work is tedious and lengthy.

Workpieces should always be treated with an antiseptic and then opened with varnish. In some cases, it is allowed to varnish after installing the railings. By the way, the installation of wooden railings is carried out after the installation of other elements of the staircase structure is completed.

Metal

Metal fencing are durable and reliable. However, they are expensive and difficult to manufacture. If you are limited on budget or time, this may be a hindrance.

The material used is a profile pipe, because metal fences made of profile pipes are most often installed on external staircase structures.

The staircase can also be made of metal, or of brick, concrete or stone. If your staircase is made of stone or brick, then in this case it is important to think about installing metal mounting plates at the places where the handrail is attached.

Prefabricated with glass filling

Glass is used very often in interior design today. That is why no one is surprised anymore when they see glass panel railings.

In order to make such a fence, you need to order panels made of heat-resistant glass or triplex. Ordinary glass, even very dense glass, should not be used, because... the fence will be fragile and unreliable.

Conclusion

When designing and building internal staircase structures, do not lose sight of a single detail; check every step with regulatory documents. This applies to such parameters as the height of the railings on the stairs, the size of the steps, and the design of the railing. Remember that meeting the requirements of GOSTs and SNiPs will not only lead you to a staircase design that will bring you comfort, but also the safety of your entire family.

The vast majority of stairs for any purpose, as well as platforms located at any significant distance above ground level, are equipped with handrails. What the height of the railing should be in a given case is determined by state standards from the relevant documents (GOST and SNiP). They also regulate the parameters of the fencing of the terrace or balcony of any floor. It is important for specialists involved in the design and installation of such structures to know and comply with these requirements.

Construction and purpose of railings

Installation of handrails on various flights of stairs and landings is carried out for the purpose of:

1. Ensure the safety of people ascending and descending.
2. Create additional support for your arms.
3. Give the interior or exterior of buildings a remarkable appearance.

In order for the above points to be fulfilled, the height of the staircase or landing railings must comply with established standards. This is achieved by selecting the dimensions of all structural parts and following installation technology. Fences of any shape and configuration consist of 3 main elements:

• support posts located at the beginning and end of the flight of stairs;
• intermediate posts - balusters;
• handrails

In a wooden staircase, the railing will be complemented by an installation strip on which the handrail is attached. It acts as a support and absorbs vertical loads, while the balusters must also be designed for lateral impact. The design of stairs may involve installing racks at some distance from each other. The openings between them are filled with sheet or lattice elements made of various materials, which must also withstand lateral loads.

There is no need to talk about the need to install a fence on a balcony or loggia; this is understandable by default. The only question is what height these railings should be. No less interesting is the question of the height of the handrails installed along the edges of the open terrace area.

General requirements for fencing

The first thing that the standards require in relation to flights of stairs is that fencing must be done on any flights that have 3 steps or more. The remaining requirements relate to the number of railings and their parameters:

1. The minimum width of the stairs, determined by the distance between the railings, is 900 mm.
2. The height of the handrails on a public staircase located in a residential or public building must also be at least 900 mm. This requirement applies to flights of stairs located indoors.
3. The minimum height of handrails for street stairs is 120 cm.
4. If the span width reaches 1.25 m or more, then according to the standards, a fence should be installed on both sides. With a width of more than 2.5 m, additional handrails are required in the middle of the stairs in order to separate the flow of people and ensure a safer ascent.
5. A wide flight of stairs (from 1.25 m) running along the wall in the house must be equipped on one side with a special wall handrail.
6. Stairs with a curved shape and those that are not adjacent to the wall are always fenced on both sides, regardless of the width of the span.
7. The railings protecting the rise to the attic or attic and the descent to the basement should also have a height of 90 cm.

Practice shows that the most convenient height for people for handrails on flights of stairs is 110 cm. Moreover, their surface should be smooth, without any differences or protruding parts that can injure your hand.

There are also requirements for load: a handrail resting on balusters must withstand at least 30 kg per 1 m of its length. This means that structures with large openings between balusters and infill elements will have to be reinforced so that the railings can withstand the load. For the same purpose, the mounting brackets for wall handrails are located no further than 50 cm from each other. For special fire escapes, the standard load value is even higher - 54 kg per meter of length.

Fences for various purposes

These include the following types of railings:

• ensuring ease of movement and safety in preschool institutions;
• blind fences on the balcony or loggia;
• railings separating the open terrace area;
• support structures installed on ramps for the disabled.

For buildings of ordinary children's institutions, the standard height of handrails of 90 cm around flights of stairs and landings is not allowed. In accordance with regulatory documents, the fence must be raised to a level of at least 1200 mm. In addition, for children and teenagers it is necessary to install a second row of railings - at a level of 500 mm from the floor.

Balconies and loggias of high-rise apartment buildings pose a danger to both adult residents and small children. Therefore, they are tightly fenced to a height of at least 120 cm. There is another option: a panoramic continuous glazing is installed on the balcony, which at the same time plays the role of a fence. An important condition: the lower part of the translucent structure must withstand a significant lateral load in order to prevent a person from accidentally falling out.

If the floors on an open veranda are raised above ground level by 0.3-0.5 m, then such a structure is usually surrounded by a wooden fence. It serves as insurance against accidental falling off the terrace and related injuries. There are no strict regulatory requirements for these structures, which means their height is selected based on ease of use. It is impractical to install a fence that is too high, and a low one is useless and inconvenient. In order for a homeowner relaxing on the terrace to comfortably lean on the fence, it is necessary to maintain a height of 110 to 120 cm from the floor.

Railings for ramps

This type of fence is installed with the expectation of an increased load of 50 kg applied at any point. When designing and constructing such structures, the following rules must be observed:

• handrails of ramps at the entrance to public and residential buildings are made at one or two levels parallel to the ascent slope;
• the upper handrail should be placed at a level of 90 cm from the ramp, the lower - 70-75 cm;
• the supporting part is made with a projection of 300 mm beyond the last rack;
• the ends of two-level fences are securely connected to each other;
• single-level railings are additionally attached to walls or other building structures.

When it comes to fencing ramps at the entrance to preschool institutions or schools, then for disabled children it is necessary to install an additional handrail at a height of 500 mm from the lifting surface.

Question:

According to SP 1.13130.2009, clause 5.4.20, amendment 1 and SNiP 31-01-2003, clause 8.3 - The height of the railings of stairs, balconies, loggias, terraces, roofs and in places of dangerous differences must be at least 1.2 m. Flights of stairs and landings must have fences with handrails.

According to SP 59.13330.2012, clause 5.2.15, handrails should be located at a height of 0.9 m.

In accordance with SP 54.13330.2011, clause 8.3, the height of fences for external flights of stairs and landings, balconies, loggias, terraces, roofs and in places of dangerous differences must be at least 1.2 m. Flights of stairs and landings of internal stairs must have fences with handrails at least 0.9 m high.

According to SP 1.13130.2009 “Fire protection systems. Evacuation routes and exits”, paragraph 4, paragraph six of paragraph 4.3.4 should be stated as follows: “If the height of stairs is more than 45 cm, fences with a height of at least 1.2 m with railings should be provided.”

At what height should railings be placed, and what types of stairs do these requirements apply to?

Answer:

The height of fences on external flights of stairs and landings, balconies, loggias, terraces, roofs and in places of dangerous differences must be at least 1.2 m.

Flights of stairs and landings of internal stairs must have railings with handrails at least 0.9 m high.

Rationale:

The height of the fences of external flights of stairs and landings, balconies, loggias, terraces, roofs and in places of dangerous differences must be at least 1.2 m by virtue of clause 8.3 of SNiP 31-01-2003.

Flights of stairs and landings of internal stairs must have fences with handrails no less than 0.9 m high in accordance with clause 1.6 of GOST 25772-83. Steel fencing for stairs, balconies and roofs. General technical conditions”.

GOST 25772-83 is voluntary, but it is the only document to which the above SNiP refers, establishing the height for flights of stairs and landings of internal stairs.

During the transition period, SP 1.13130.2009 does not cancel the validity of SNiP 01/31/2003 (letter of the Ministry of Regional Development of Russia dated 08/15/2011 N 18529-08/IP-OG).

Height of fencing of external and internal flights of stairs
Height of fencing of external and internal flights of stairs Question: According to SP 1.13130.2009, clause 5.4.20, amendment 1 and SNiP 31-01-2003, clause 8.3 – Height of fencing of stairs, balconies, loggias, terraces,

Calculating the height of the railings

Railings are barriers along the edges of the stairs that are installed for safe movement along them. The height of the staircase railing is a very important indicator, and it must be taken into account when designing. Such structures can be used not only to protect steps, but also in the construction of balconies, terraces, etc.

In addition, stair railings can act as handrails and help when ascending or descending steps. Their length should be commensurate with the length of the steps.

What are the railings made of?

In order to properly assemble a staircase, you need to know well all the elements that are necessary for construction. In addition to the steps, there are many more components. Railings, for example, consist of:

• racks (in other words - balusters),
• handrails,
• handhold,
• sub-balustrades,
• fastenings.

When selecting materials for the structure, one must not forget about the main function of the railing – protective. This means that they must be of high quality. Particular attention should be paid to the fences on the balcony, because their instability may well cost lives. Falling from several steps is one thing, but from a height of at least the 2nd floor is completely different. Therefore, maximum measures must be taken.

How many fencing do you need?

For narrow stairs, the width of which is no more than 125 cm, railings are usually installed on only one side. For wider steps, it is better to place railings on both sides, this way you can provide passage up and down at the same time.

Another option is to install an additional handrail along the center of the stairs to separate the flow of traffic. This method will be functional on stairs with high traffic.

Which stairs require guardrails?

Do not forget that any staircase that is not equipped with railings is dangerous to use. However, in some cases you can do without them. Thus, length is very important, and handrails are usually neglected when building short stairs (less than 5 steps).

For fencing higher structures, it is recommended to make stable supports that will prevent them from falling from the structure. In addition, it is very important to calculate their height.

Railing height

In any residential premises, the height of the railing should be at least 90 cm. At the same time, the length of the distance from the wall to the railing should be no less than 40 cm. On the landing, the height of the railing should also be 90 cm.

Note:

It is no coincidence that such parameters exist, because this size is ideal for the height of the average person.

What about children? For them, additional railings about 65 cm high are often installed.

Supports on the terrace

Of course, various decorative features in the porch project or the original design of the railings can make adjustments to their height. However, it is highly undesirable to violate the values ​​​​recommended by the builders.

The main reasons why you should take into account the advice of experts:

1. If the railing is lower than recommended, it will be difficult to use and dangerous.
2. If the railings are higher than recommended, they will be less comfortable, but safer.

Compliance with State Standard

According to GOST 25772-83, the presence of handrails on the stairs of public buildings and residential buildings is a prerequisite. The height is also specified, and to comply with the standard, it must be equal to or greater than 900 mm.

Balcony railings are regulated by GOST as follows:

• In preschool institutions they must be at least 1200 mm.
• On smoke-free stairwells - at least 1200 mm.
• In buildings whose height is up to 30 m - 1000 mm.
• In buildings with a height of more than 30 m - 1100 mm.

Among other requirements of the standard, you can find that sharp protrusions must not be used on fencing elements. The railings must also be fire-resistant; for this purpose, stainless steel or glass should be used. The length of the step is built taking into account many parameters.

Appearance

When building a house, the aesthetic side of the staircase is not in last place. In this regard, many people strive to give the handrails an unusual look or create beautiful steps. The shapes of balusters and posts come in different designs and from different materials.

But quality and sustainability should still remain the basis when choosing building materials.

All handrails must be smooth, that is, without burrs. And the joints must be well adjusted. The posts should be installed with the greatest possible rigidity, because the reliability of the fence depends on this.

So, we talked about how important it is to install strong railings for stairs, terraces, and balconies and how to calculate their height. Did you learn anything new from our article? What advice was most helpful? We will be grateful if you share your personal experience in making stair railings or how you yourself tried to calculate their height!

Calculating the height of the railings
Calculating the height of the railing Railings are fences along the edges of the stairs, which are installed for safe movement along it. The height of the staircase railing is a very important indicator, and it

Requirements for fire escapes according to GOST R 53254-2009

When constructing multi-storey buildings, houses and structures, it is necessary to provide special paths to ensure that people can escape to a safe place in the event of fires and other emergencies. One of the means of evacuation and access to the roof is external fire escapes. Requirements for their production, installation, and operation are established in state standards, in particular, in GOST R 53254-2009.

Types of designs

Two types of stairs are made:

Marching, considered the safest, can be used for descent and ascent to great heights, from 20 m. They are also installed in places where the roof height difference is more than 20 m. Designed for mass evacuation of people and access for firefighters to the fire site. Consist of alternating marches and platforms.

Vertical structures are used when extinguishing fires and lifting maintenance personnel onto the roof. They consist of two longitudinal parallel metal strings, rigidly connected by transverse steps. They are installed on buildings with a height of 10 to 20 meters and in places where the roof height differs from one to 20 m. At a height of more than 6 m they have an enclosing structure that prevents falls.

Requirements for installation of evacuation structures

State standards, which indicate the main provisions for the installation sites of fire escapes:

• GOST R 53254-2009 “Fire fighting equipment. External stationary fire ladders. Roof fencing",
• SNiP 2.01.02-85 “Fire safety standards”.

For buildings with a height of more than 10 m (from ground level to the parapet or cornice), exits to the roof are provided through structures mounted on the outer wall.

Residential buildings, administrative and public buildings with attic coverings must have access to the roof for every 100 meters of length. Buildings with no-attic coverings - one exit for every 1000 square meters of covering.

Warehouses and industrial buildings are equipped with fire escapes every 200 m of the perimeter or more often.

In places where the difference in roof height is more than one meter, stairs must be installed.

It is allowed not to install evacuation structures on the main facade of the building if:

• building width no more than 150 m,
• On the side opposite the main facade, a fire-fighting water supply line is installed.

If the building is one-story and has an area of ​​less than 100 square meters, it may not have access to the roof.

Fire escape to the roof. GOSTs and SNiPs

The STK Konstruktsiya company manufactures evacuation structures in accordance with TU 5262-002-92716048-2012 in accordance with GOST R 53254-2009, GOST 23118-2012, GOST 23120-78, as evidenced by the certificate of conformity. Production is carried out in factory conditions. To ensure the durability and strength of the connections, we weld using special equipment.

Our stairs are made of non-flammable materials and are reliably protected from corrosion.

Installation and placement of structures is carried out in accordance with SNiP 3.03.01-87, GOST 23118 and the Draft Code of Rules “Fire Protection Systems. Evacuation routes and exits."

Requirements for welds are established in GOST 5264 and SNiP 3.03.01-87. The presence of rust and scale is unacceptable on their surface. Also, sharp protrusions, edges, and burrs at the joints of structural elements are not allowed.

The class of protective coating according to GOST 9.032 must be no lower than fifth. The remaining requirements for corrosion protection are according to the same standard and SNiP 2.03.11-85.

Evacuation structures must be securely attached to the wall of the building and provide the required strength and rigidity during acceptance tests and throughout the entire period of operation.

Special requirements are also imposed on the material used to make flooring for platforms and steps - it must ensure strong adhesion of the sole to the base so that while moving a person does not slip, get injured or fall from a height.

Vertical stairs

Vertical structures located at a height of more than 6 meters are manufactured with fencing. It consists of semicircular arcs welded to the bowstrings. In this kind of tunnel made of rigid metal rods, it is much safer to go down and go up to a height.

The following size requirements apply:

• The minimum width of the stairs is at least 0.6 meters.
• The distance from the ground to the top step is at least 1.5 meters. It is permissible to make the lower section retractable if its reliable fixation is ensured in working condition.
• Platforms for access to the roof are made with a length of 0.8 m or more. It should be fenced with railings and located level with the roof or slightly higher.

Requirements for fire escapes according to GOST R 53254-2009
Marching and vertical fire escapes: GOST requirements for dimensions, materials of manufacture, installation and operation

Stair railing height

According to paragraph 1.3 of GOST 25772-83, 0.9 m from the tread surface.

Best regards, Aquarius

Asashai ®
"P. 4.3.4 SP 1.13130.2009. If the height of stairs is more than 45 cm, fences with a height of at least 1.2 m with railings should be provided.”

Sometimes tearing out fragments of text from a whole paragraph is not very correct. Here is the text of the paragraph in its entirety:

“4.3.4 The clear height of horizontal sections of evacuation routes must be at least 2 m, the width of horizontal sections of evacuation routes and ramps must be at least:

0.7 m – for passages to single workstations,

1.0 m – in all other cases.

In any case, the evacuation routes must be of such a width that, taking into account their geometry, a stretcher with a person lying on it can be carried along them without hindrance.

In the floor along escape routes, height differences of less than 45 cm and protrusions are not allowed, with the exception of thresholds in doorways. In places where there is a difference in heights, stairs with a number of steps of at least three or ramps with a slope of no more than 1:6 should be provided.

If the height of stairs is more than 45 cm, fences with a height of at least 1.2 m with railings should be provided.

On escape routes, the installation of spiral staircases, staircases completely or partially curved in plan, as well as winder and curved steps, steps with different tread widths and different heights within the flight of stairs and staircases is not allowed.”

Now it is clear that what is meant here are stairs with a difference in floor heights. This has nothing to do with the railings of staircases and stairwells.

Best regards, Aquarius

Well then, in SP 1.13130.2009 I found specific requirements for buildings of certain classes of functional fire hazard:

5.2.15. Handrails and fences in buildings of preschool institutions must meet the following requirements:
the height of stair railings used by children must be at least 1.2 m, and in preschool institutions for children with mental disabilities - 1.8 or 1.5 m with a continuous mesh fence,
in staircase fencing, vertical elements must have a clearance of no more than 0.1 m (horizontal divisions in fencing are not allowed); the height of the porch fencing when climbing three or more steps must be at least 0.8 m.

5.4.20. The height of fencing for stairs, balconies, loggias, terraces, roofs and in places of dangerous differences must be at least 1.2 m. Flights of stairs and landings must have fencing with
handrails. Fences must be continuous, equipped with handrails and designed to withstand horizontal loads of at least 0.3 kN/m.

8.2.1. Handrails and fences on the floors of schools and educational buildings of boarding schools, where premises for first grades are located, must meet the following requirements:
the height of stair railings used by children must be at least 1.2 m; vertical elements in stair railings must have a clearance of no more than 0.1 m (horizontal divisions in railings are not allowed),
the height of the porch fencing when climbing three or more steps should be 0.8 m.

4.4.2 Stairs of the 3rd type should be made of non-combustible materials and placed near blind (without light openings) parts of walls with a fire hazard class of at least K1 with a fire resistance limit of at least REI(EI)30. These stairs must have platforms at the level of emergency exits, fences at least 1.2 m high and located at a distance of at least 1 m from the plane of the window openings.

9.6.7. Along the outer perimeter of shelves and platforms of external installations, open openings in ceilings, stairs and landings of stairs (including platforms on columnar devices), it is necessary to
It is possible to provide fences with a height of at least 1 m.

For the rest of the buildings there was a general phrase - Staircases and landings must have fences with handrails

Stair railing height
The height of the staircase railing According to paragraph 1.3 of GOST 25772-83, 0.9 m from the tread surface. Sincerely, Aquarius Asashai ® “p. 4.3.4 SP 1.13130.2009. At height

The height of the handrails on the stairs is subject to strict regulation. This is due to the fact that guardrails are primarily designed to protect people walking along steps from falling. Despite the wild imagination of designers and the huge options for decorating railings, craftsmen must comply with the requirements regarding their height, material of manufacture, type of fastening and level of strength.

Height of railings and fences: GOST and SNiP requirements

The main dimensions and parameters of stair railings are indicated in administrative documents such as GOST and SNiP. In accordance with their points, every structure containing more than three steps must be equipped with railings. Their height and type depend on the location of the staircase, its width and frequency of use. Fences can only be installed on one side if the width of the structure does not exceed 125 cm and the other side is adjacent to a wall or permanent structure. Larger objects require railings on both sides. A feature of very wide stairs, which reach 250 cm, is the need to build fences not only on the sides, but also in the center.

But that is not all. The standard height of railings along the stairs of private houses differs from the parameters of railings erected in public buildings or in educational institutions. Based on the fact that the latter are designed for more intensive traffic, greater attention is paid to the safety of people.

Fencing in residential buildings

The height of the stairs above six meters must be at least one meter. For lower structures, it is necessary to erect railings, the dimensions of which are not less than 90 cm. If the room is equipped with ramps, they must also be accompanied by fences. For different categories of users, handrails are installed at 70 and 90 cm. This design allows us to meet the needs of people with limited mobility who travel on foot or in a wheelchair.

Rules governing the construction of stair railings in public buildings

Handrails and railings installed in rooms in which daily visitors reside a large number of people are subjected to much greater loads than elements of stairs in private houses. For this reason, increased attention is paid to their manufacture and installation. The minimum height of handrails on stairs in a public building is set at 90 cm. Schools and other educational organizations become exceptions. Here, fences should be erected no lower than 120 cm. If we are talking about institutions where children with a slow development rate are taught, then the mandatory height of the railings increases to 180 cm. At the same time, the distance between the balusters cannot exceed 10 cm. This is due to the fact that with wider gaps there is a risk of injury to children stuck in the fence. The required strength for railings is the same as for residential premises. They must withstand a load of at least 30 kg/cm 3 .

Other types of fencing

GOST contains requirements for the equipment of roofs in use. If it is possible for people to exit onto the roof of a building, fences should be placed along its edge. The minimum height of railings on the roofs of buildings with a height of more than 10 m is 60 cm. Only steel is used for their manufacture. When equipping buildings up to 30 m, railings one meter high are placed on the roof. For taller houses, the size of the fences increases to 120 cm. If there is a low parapet on the roof, the dimensions of the railings mounted on this base may be smaller than those installed. However, the total height of the fence must comply with the standard. If the architecture of the room contains an internal podium or elevation for another purpose, it must be fenced. The height of the railing according to GOST is 90 cm.

Non-standard fencing and their features

Curvilinear (spiral) staircase structures must be equipped with railings on both sides. This is not necessary when constructing spiral staircases. After all, they are located around a support pillar. If necessary, a person can use the railing to maintain balance. Designers and craftsmen must strictly comply with these requirements, since curved structures are more dangerous than traditional straight or rotary ones.

Types of fencing structures

The type of railing is chosen based on the design and configuration of the staircase. When designing this element, the following factors are taken into account:

• Materials used in the construction of stairs.
• Purpose and height of fences.
• Rules and regulations regarding a specific type of fencing.

The most common are metal railings. It can be used in combination with other materials (concrete, wood, glass, stone, gypsum). When building residential buildings, many owners give preference to wooden structures. You can install, paint and repair them yourself.

Glass and concrete fencing

For stairs whose railings are made of glass, the requirements for the strength and safety of the material are considered one of the most important. There are special rules and standards for such fencing structures. They involve the use of laminated, reinforced or tempered glass.

Based on popularity and fencing, standards have also been developed for them. must contain metal reinforcement. True, this still does not put them on a par with the full GOST, which indicates the level of minimum horizontal load that the railings must withstand: 30 kg/cm 3 . Concrete balusters that are unstable in shape or cast from poor quality material may not meet this standard. To increase the safety of such a staircase, craftsmen resort to placing strong vertical pillars along the edges of its flights. Their size can be larger than the height of the railing, and the material is either metal or concrete. Finished fencing structures must be checked. They control all the main parameters: height, strength, reliability of fastening. Identification of discrepancies may result in the application of penalties.

April 7, 2014

When designing a staircase for a public space, apartment building or individual building, you should be guided not only by your taste preferences, but also by the requirements of various GOSTs and building rules and regulations. First of all, this is necessary for reasons of your own safety. In addition, compliance with certain criteria is necessary for the object to be accepted by representatives of fire, sanitary and hygiene and other services. Regardless of the purpose of the building, the height of fences and railings is set based on our biomechanics data.

Recommendations for the height of fences for objects of various purposes

Several sections of SNiP 01/31/2003 are devoted to fencing and, in particular, the height of railings for apartment buildings. Since flights of stairs pose a potential danger, they must be equipped with railings at least 1.2 meters high. The balusters supporting them must be continuous - for this they are fixed together with horizontal connecting elements.

Any open areas are also equipped with railings. This applies to sports fields, exploited roofs, external transition balconies and other areas. The height of the fences in this case is at least 0.9 meters. If access to them is open to children - at least 1.2 meters.

Special requirements are put forward for the height of handrails in children's institutions - at least 1.18 meters. The distance from the bottom point of the step plane is taken as the value. It is also recommended to install double railings with a height of 0.6 meters.

When choosing a staircase for a private house, you should follow the recommendations of SNiP 31-02. The height of the railing in this case should not be less than 0.9 meters. In addition, the fencing design should not have openings narrower than 100 millimeters. This requirement is based on the need to lay a fire hose between flights in case of an emergency.

These standards are advisory in nature. However, you should not neglect them for the sake of staircase design or for other reasons. By following all the instructions, you will protect yourself and your loved ones as much as possible from possible injuries. Moreover, compliance with the described rules will in no way increase the cost of the design. The cost of a high-quality and safe staircase is comparable to the price of a glass partition in the middle segment.

Watch the video lecture. GOST and SNiP requirements for railings and fences