New York Stair, Handrail & Guard
Code Reference

R311.7 — Residential Stairways

Section R311.7 of the Residential Code addresses stairways in one- and two-family residential
construction.

Common requirements addressed by this section include:

• Stair width
• Headroom
• Vertical rise
• Tread depth
• Riser height
• Winder treads
• Landings
• Stairway walking surfaces
• Handrails
• Illumination

R311.7.5 — Stair Treads and Risers

Section R311.7.5 addresses the dimensions and consistency of residential stair treads and
risers.

Tread depth and riser height must remain consistent throughout each stair flight. The design
must also account for nosings, open risers, winder treads, and the method used to measure each
component.

Final stair geometry should be confirmed before fabrication using approved construction
documents and verified field dimensions.

R311.7.8 — Handrails

Section R311.7.8 addresses residential handrail requirements.

Handrails are generally required on at least one side of a stairway with four or more risers.
Applicable requirements may include:

• Handrail height
• Continuity along the stair flight
• Graspable shape and size
• Clearance from adjacent walls
• Projection into the stair width
• Returns and terminations
• Secure attachment

A handrail is designed to provide a graspable surface for support. It should not be confused
with a guard, which serves as a protective barrier along an open edge.

 

R312.1 — Guards

Section R312.1 addresses guards installed along open-sided walking surfaces, stairs, landings,
balconies, and similar elevated areas.

Common residential requirements include:

• Guards where the walking surface is more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below
• A minimum residential guard height of 36 inches in many applications
• Opening limitations intended to prevent passage of a 4-inch sphere
• Specific exceptions for triangular stair openings and openings along stair runs

Guard requirements should be carefully considered when designing wood balusters, metal railings,
glass guards, cable railings, and open-riser stair systems.

Section 1011 — Commercial Stairways

Section 1011 of the Building Code addresses stairways in commercial, multifamily, institutional,
and other non-residential applications.

Requirements may include:

• Stair width and capacity
• Headroom
• Walking surfaces
• Tread and riser dimensions
• Landings
• Stairway construction
• Vertical rise
• Special stairs
• Means-of-egress requirements

Commercial stair dimensions may depend on the building’s use, occupancy classification, occupant
load, and accessibility requirements.

Section 1014 — Commercial Handrails

Section 1014 addresses handrails in commercial and other Building Code applications.

Depending on the project, requirements may include:

• Handrails on both sides of the stair
• Required handrail height
• Graspability
• Continuity
• Wall clearance
• Handrail extensions
• Intermediate handrails on wide stairs
• Accessible handrail details

Handrail design should be coordinated with the architectural drawings and accessibility
requirements applicable to the project.

Section 1015 — Commercial Guards

Section 1015 addresses guards along elevated walking surfaces and open-sided stairs.

Requirements may include:

• Locations where guards are required
• Minimum guard height
• Opening limitations
• Structural performance
• Special requirements based on occupancy
• Coordination with glass and glazing requirements

Commercial guards are commonly required to be 42 inches high where Section 1015 applies, but
project-specific conditions and exceptions must always be reviewed.

Glass, Cable, and Open-Riser Systems

Modern stair and railing systems may require additional technical coordination.

Glass Guards

Glass railing systems must use appropriate safety glazing and satisfy applicable
structural-load, support, anchoring, and glazing requirements.

Cable Railings

Cable systems require proper cable spacing, tension, post spacing, anchoring, and deflection
control. The completed system must maintain permitted opening limitations under applicable
loads.

Open-Riser Stairs

Open-riser staircases must maintain the opening limitations permitted by the applicable code
while meeting tread, riser, structural, and accessibility requirements.