Handrail Regulations

Make sure that your balustrades and handrails are compliant.

Ensure your home renovation project meets New Zealand’s Building Code standards for handrails. Discover the essential guidelines for safe and compliant installations.

Why is it important?

Safety First

Handrails provide crucial support and prevent falls. They are essential for maintaining balance and stability, especially for the elderly, children, and individuals with mobility issues.

Legal Compliance

Installing proper handrails ensures your home meets New Zealand’s Building Code requirements. Compliance protects you from potential legal issues and helps maintain your property’s value.

Accessibility

Well-designed handrails make your home more accessible to all, including those with disabilities. They promote independence and ease of movement throughout the property.

Design

Modern handrail designs can enhance your home’s interior, adding a touch of elegance while fulfilling their primary safety function. They can be seamlessly integrated into various architectural styles.

When are handrails required?

Stairways

Most stairways with two or more risers require handrails. However, within a single household unit, stairs with only two or three risers may be exempt. This requirement ensures safety on longer staircases while allowing for design flexibility in small-step transitions.

Ramps

Any ramp with a slope steeper than 1 in 20 must have handrails on both sides. This rule applies to both indoor and outdoor ramps, ensuring stability and support for users, especially those with mobility aids or wheelchairs.

Key Considerations for Handrail Design

Height

Handrails should be positioned at a height that provides comfortable and secure support for most people. In New Zealand, the standard height range is typically between 900mm and 1000mm from the nose of the stair tread to the top of the handrail. This height ensures that both tall and short individuals can comfortably grasp the rail.

Profile

The shape of the handrail should allow for a firm and comfortable grip. Circular profiles with a diameter of 32mm to 50mm are generally recommended. However, non-circular profiles are also acceptable if they provide a graspable perimeter of 100mm to 160mm. The profile should be smooth and free from any sharp edges or protrusions.

Continuity

Handrails must be continuous along the entire length of the stairs or ramp, except where interrupted by doorways. They should extend horizontally at least 300mm beyond the first and last steps. In terms of strength, handrails must be able to withstand a concentrated load of at least 1.1 kN applied in any direction at any point.

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