AS 1428.1-2009 PWD Code

AS 1428.1—2009                                    54




       12 HANDRAILS
       The design and construction of handrails shall comply with the following:
       (a)    Handrails and balustrades shall not encroach into required circulation spaces.
       (b)    The cross-section of handrails shall be circular or elliptical, not less than
              30 mm or greater than 50 mm in height or width for not less than 270° around
              the uppermost surface as shown in Figures 29(a) and 29(b). Elliptical
              handrails shall have the greater dimension in the horizontal axis as shown in
              Figure 29(b).
       (c)    Exposed edges at ends and corners of handrails shall have a radius of not
              less than 5 mm.
       (d)    The top of handrails shall be not less than 865 mm nor more than 1000 mm
              above the nosing of stairway tread or the plane of the finished floor of the
              walkway, ramp or landing.
       (e)    The height of the top of the handrail, measured in accordance with Item (d),
              shall be consistent through the ramp (or stairs) and any landings.
       (f)    If a balustrade is required at a height greater than the handrail, both shall be
              provided.
       (g)    Handrails shall be securely fixed and rigid, and their ends shall be turned
              through a total of 180°, or to the ground, or returned fully to end post or wall
              face, as shown in Figures 26(C) and 26(D).
       (h)    The clearance between a handrail and an adjacent wall surface or other
              obstruction shall be not less than 50 mm. This clearance shall extend above
              the top of the handrail by not less than 600 mm.
       (i)    Handrails shall have no obstruction to the passage of a hand along the rail, as
              shown in Figures 29(a) and 29(b).
       (j)    The inside handrail at landings shall always be continuous, as shown in
              Figure 28(a).




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