MMC Blog

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) outlines a number of requirements to ensure nationwide accessibility for people of all ability levels. That includes construction requirements for commercial and residential buildings — and handrails are an important part of that. ADA-compliant handrails provide support, safety, and stability for everyone visiting your space, including seniors and individuals with mobility concerns. Before you finalize your handrail plan, read on to find out more about ADA handrail requirements for stairs, ramps, and sidewalks.

The Importance of ADA Handrail Requirements

The ADA exists to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. That includes the workplace, transportation systems, and public buildings, all of which likely feature handrails. Ultimately, the ADA helps make public spaces safe and navigable for individuals with disabilities, but it also contributes to greater inclusivity overall. For example, while a person with mobility issues might benefit from a handrail, a child, older adult, or pregnant pedestrian might also appreciate a little extra support. Overall, ADA guidelines protect us all. For that reason, understanding ADA handrail requirements is an important part of creating a safe public or private space.

ADA Handrail Specifications

ADA handrail requirements are outlined within the Americans With Disabilities Act, which is publicly available online. The text outlines handrail requirements for both commercial and residential buildings, regulating everything from handrail height to continuity requirements. Below are a few examples of those requirements:

• Handrails are required on both sides of stairs and must be continuous within the full length of each stair flight. Inside handrails on switchback stairs must be continuous.
• Handrail extensions at the top and bottom of stairs must return to walls, guards, or floors.
• Handrail extensions must be in the same direction as the stair flight, but ADA-compliant continuous handrails can wrap at the inside turn of switchback or dogleg stairways.
• Stairs or graded surfaces with a slope greater than 1:20 must have a handrail installed on both sides of the stairs or slope.
• Handrails need to be installed with a gripping height at least three feet above the nosing of stairs and/or graded surfaces.
• Handrails must maintain a consistent height and gripping surface throughout their length.
• Handrails should not have sharp edges, rough areas, or anything else that would impede the average person’s grip.

Our ADA-Compliant Options

We’re proud to offer our Aluminum Continuous Handrail, an ADA-compliant system featuring a lifetime limited warranty. This system is available in all of our standard powder coating colors, making it an excellent complement to the other Westbury Aluminum Railing systems in our catalog. Our continuous handrail components, which are also sold separately, make it easy to design handrail systems for those areas that require a continuous handrail to meet code requirements. From standalone end caps and post mounts to touch-up spray paint to keep your railing looking brand new, we have everything you need to maintain a safe, reliable railing for all.

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Ultimately, ADA handrail requirements exist to make public (and private) spaces more inclusive for everyone. While the ADA outlines different requirements for different kinds of spaces, one thing is clear: The right ADA-compliant system should make railing design and installation an easy process, regardless of any code requirements.

MMC Fencing & Railing offers ADA-compliant handrails in our online shop. When you need an expert to help with ADA-compliant railings and more, MMC Fencing & Railing is here. No matter what you’re looking for and no matter how large or small your budget, you’re sure to find something beautiful to make your space accessible for all visitors. Contact us today to get started or ask about installation options. We look forward to hearing from you!