Wash. Admin. Code § 296-800-25015 – Provide handrails and stair railings

Exemption:

Vehicle service pit stairways are exempt from the rules for stairway railing and guards, if they would prevent a vehicle from moving into a position over the pit.

Definition:	• A handrail is a single bar or pipe on brackets from a wall or partition to provide a continuous handhold for persons using a stair.
	• A stair railing is a vertical barrier attached to a stairway with an open side, to prevent falls. The top surface of the stair railing is used as a handrail.

(1) You must make sure stairways less than forty-four inches wide have:
1. (a) At least one handrail, preferably on your right side as you go down the stairs, if both sides are enclosed; or
2. (b) At least one stair railing on the open side, if one side is open; or
3. (c) One stair railing on each side, if both sides are open.
(2) You must make sure stairways more than forty-four inches wide but less than eighty-eight inches wide have:
1. (a) One handrail on each enclosed side.
2. (b) One stair railing on each open side.
(3) You must make sure stairways at least eighty-eight inches wide have:
1. (a) One handrail on each enclosed side.
2. (b) One stair railing on each open side.
3. (c) One intermediate stair railing located approximately midway of the width.

(4) You must equip winding stairs with a handrail, offset to prevent walking on all portions of the treads, less than six inches wide.

Reference:

Railings must consist of a top rail, intermediate rail, and posts. To see all of the rules for building handrails and stairway railings, refer to WAC 296-24-75011, of the general safety and health standard.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-25015, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-16-047, § 296-800-25015, filed 8/1/02, effective 10/1/02; WSR 01-23-060, § 296-800-25015, filed 11/20/01, effective 12/1/01; WSR 01-11-038, § 296-800-25015, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.]