Balusters are typically attached to the floor by first drilling and anchoring them into a base plate or the floor joists. The most common method is to use lag screws that are inserted through a hole in the base plate, into the pre-drilled hole in the floor joist, and then connected through pre-drilled holes in the baluster to the base plate.
Once the lag screws have been inserted, the baluster can be secured with a securing nut and washer. You can also use a dowel joint or a biscuit joint to secure the baluster to a floor joist, or you can use a combination of lag screws and a plate or angle iron to attach the baluster to the base plate and joist.
It is recommended that you use the appropriate hardware for your baluster and floor application to ensure that the baluster is secure and will not come loose over time. Professional installation is usually recommended for balusters due to the complexity and safety concerns of working with the hardware and fasteners to attach the baluster to the floor.
How do you attach handrails to spindles?
Attaching handrails to spindles can be accomplished by first measuring the distance between each post or spindle along the stairway, to ensure that the handrail will have even supports. After the measurements have been taken, the posts should be marked at the areas where the brackets will be attached, generally at least four inches above the nosing of the stair treads.
Before drilling, a center punch should be used to make a shallow depression in the post. The pilot holes should be drilled using a 3/32 drill bit, with the bracket flush against the post, and the holes should be countersunk if the screws will be visible.
The holes should then be filled with wood putty.
The brackets should be attached to spindles with 2-1/2 inch, number 8 plated, flat-head masonry screws. The handrail can then be installed by gluing the ends of the handrail into the brackets using a fast-setting epoxy.
Once the epoxy has dried, the screw holes can be finished off with a cosmetic plug or wood putty.
Where should a handrail start and stop?
According to the building regulations and national standards for railings, a handrail should start at the top of a set of stairs or a ramp and go along the entire length of the stairs or ramp to its bottom.
Handrails should be positioned at a height of between 900mm (3ft) and 1100mm (3ft 7in) above the nose of the steps, such that it’s within easy reach of a person using the stairs. The handrail should extend at least 300mm (10in) beyond the top and bottom of the stairs and terminate in a manner that will not cause injury to the user.
Ideally, the rail should finish in a flat perpendicular shape to stop people from putting their hands in the wrong place. It’s also important to ensure that handrails are adequately secured and properly supported along their length by solid wall fixtures or newel posts, so that the rail can support the user’s weight.
Do you need 2 handrails on stairs?
Yes, having two handrails on stairs is typically recommended to provide safe support while ascending and descending. Handrails are especially important for assisting elderly or disabled people, or those with disabilities.
Having two handrails also serves to reduce the risk of falls and injuries, as it provides a stable and secure surface for people to hold onto when using the stairs. Moreover, according to the requirements of the Residential Building Code, the number of handrails required depends on the number of risers and their measurements.
Generally speaking, a single handrail will suffice for stairs that have less than five risers, and two handrails should be installed for stairs with more than five risers.
Do handrails have to return to the wall?
Yes, handrails must return to the wall. According to the International Building Code (IBC), handrails must return to the wall. Handrails should extend at least 12 inches horizontally from either side of a stairway.
The IBC also requires handrails that “extend at least 12 inches beyond the top riser and continue to slope for the depth of one tread beyond the bottom riser. ” Additionally, rail ends must be oriented so the end of the rail is returned towards the wall.
Rail ends must be terminated within at least one inch of the vertical wall. These requirements provide additional safety measures to ensure proper resistance, so the handrail can provide adequate support to a person climbing the stairs.
What are the OSHA requirements for handrails?
OSHA requires handrails to be in place any time a staircase has four or more risers, or rises greater than 30 inches (76 cm). If the staircase spans more than 88 inches (224 cm) between landings, it must have an intermediate handrail between the top and bottom rails.
Handrails must also be installed along any walkway or ramp that is at least 30 inches (76 cm) above a lower level.
The top of the handrails must be at least 30 inches (76 cm), but no higher than 42 inches (107 cm) above the nose of the stair tread, ramp, or other walking surface that they are intended to protect.
Handrails must also have a minimum of 1.5 inches (4 cm) of clearance between them and the wall adjacent to them. Handrails must also be mandatory on both sides of stairs and any ramp greater than 6 inches (15 cm).
The handrail must also be able to support a minimum load of at least 200 lbs. (91 kg) of distributed weight. It must be able to withstand those loads without deflecting or otherwise deflecting the handrail system.
They must also have a smooth surface that does not present a tripping hazard. All handrails must be made of stout material that does not easily twist or pull away from the supporting structure.
In cases where both ends of the handrail are accessible, the tread or ramp must be equipped with end caps or safety guards that either prevent a person from stepping through the rails, or that in the event a person does slip though, absorbs the energy of the fall to minimize injury.
What is OSHA handrail height?
OSHA handrail height requirements state that all handrails must be between 34 – 38 inches in height from the nosing of the stair treads. Any handrails higher than this can be a tripping hazard. Additionally, handrail extensions must be provided on stairs and ramps when the rise exceeds 30 inches.
These extensions should extend at least 12 inches beyond the top and bottom risers. At the bottom of the stairs, the extension must extend at least the width of one tread beyond the bottom riser. At the top of the stairs, the handrail should extend horizontally at least 12 inches beyond the last riser.
All handrails must also be graspable, with a minimum clearance of 1-1/2 inches between the handrail and any adjacent wall or surface. The handrail should also be smooth and round, without any sharp or abrasive edges.
What is the maximum distance between handrail posts?
The maximum distance between handrail posts is determined by the building code, which can vary from one jurisdiction to another. Generally speaking, if the posts are supporting a handrail along a staircase, the maximum distance between posts should not exceed 8 feet (96 inches).
If the posts are used to define a landing, the maximum distance should not exceed 4 feet (48 inches). Alternatively, posts can be spaced just close enough to provide enough support for the handrail without exceeding the maximum distance.
What holds the baluster?
Balusters are typically held in place with a mortise-and-tenon joint, a type of interlocking structure used in woodworking and carpentry that connects two pieces of material together by inserting one into the other.
The baluster itself is usually inserted into a hole in a post, then secured firmly with a wooden tenon that slots into a corresponding mortise cut into the post. The tenon is then secured with a wedge and glue to keep the joint from wiggling loose.
Balusters may also be held in place with nails, screws, or bolts, or by attaching the railing directly to the baluster with hydraulic cement or epoxy.
What is the difference between balusters and spindles?
Balusters and spindles are similar in that they are both narrow vertical posts that are used to support a structure, such as a railing or banister. The commonly used term “spindle” is often used to refer to any type of baluster.
However, a baluster is more specific and refers to a post with a broader base that narrows towards the top into a smaller base, while a spindle is a slimmer post that is shaped like an elongated cylinder or doesn’t taper as much as a baluster does.
Balusters are typically used for aesthetics, providing a decorative element for the railing or banister structure, whereas spindles are most commonly used for their practicality, providing structural support for the railing or banister construction.
Do balusters go on inside or outside of railing?
It depends on the look you are trying to achieve and the type of railing or balusters you have chosen. Some prefer inside installation for a sleeker look, while a wider, more decorative railing often looks best when the balusters are outside mounted.
Generally, however, you would install the balusters on the outside of the railing. This allows them to be secured firmly against the railing and ensures that nobody can accidentally lean over and fall, as the balusters serve as posts to prevent this.
For a traditional, classic look, it’s often best to install balusters outside the railing.