1607.7.1 Handrail Assemblies and Guards

Handrail assemblies and guards shall be designed to resist a load of 50 plf (0.73 kN/m) applied in any direction at the top and to transfer this load through the supports to the structure. Glass handrail assemblies and guards shall also comply with Section 2407.

Exceptions:

1. For one- and two-family dwellings, only the single, concentrated load required by Section 1607.7.1.1 shall be applied.
2. In Group I-3, F, H, and S occupancies, for areas that are not accessible to the general public and that have an occupant load no greater than 50, the minimum load shall be 20 pounds per foot (0.29 kN/m).

Handrails and guards shall be able to resist a single concentrated load of 200 pounds (0.89 kN), applied in any direction at any point, and have attachment devices and supporting structure to transfer this loading to appropriate structural elements of the building. This load need not be assumed to act concurrently with the loads specified in the preceding paragraph.

Intermediate rails (all those except the handrail), balusters and panel fillers shall be designed to withstand a horizontally applied normal load of 50 pounds (0.22 kN) on an area equal to 1 square foot (0.093 m²), including openings and space between rails, a vertically downward load of 50 pounds per foot (0.73 kN/m), and a concentrated upward load of 50 pounds (0.22 kN) applied at the most critical location. Reactions due to this loading are not required to be applied simultaneously with one another, and are not required to be superimposed with those of Section 1607.7.1 or 1607.7.1.1. The railings, balusters and components shall be designed separately for the effect of wind when the total wind load on the panel or component exceeds 50 pounds (0.22 kN). The wind load need not be combined with any other live load.