Building a continuous handrail on a stairway or ramp can be challenging. Sometimes there’s differing elevations in slope, bends in the staircase, and longer and shorter sections of the stairs.
But installing a continuous stair handrail and following continuous handrail codes also makes sure that you provide both safety and comfort.
Want to know how to create a handrail system that meets continuous handrail regulations?
We’ll tell you below.
Do Handrails Need To Be Continuous?
Continuous handrails are not only included as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) but are also required by commercial and residential building codes.
Even in buildings where a continuous handrail is not required, it should be considered. The reason is, it’s a way to provide continuous safety and support that reduces the risk of dangerous falls.
5 Challenges of Installing Continuous Handrails
Although continuous handrails provide the most safety, they can be difficult to install, and it’s a result of the 5 challenges that we’re about to talk about below:
1. Labor-Intensive Installation
Installing a continuous handrail can be a very labor-intensive experience. If ordering a custom handrail, measurements must be incredibly precise.
As if installing a continuous handrail with bends and jogs isn’t complicated enough, the brackets need to be placed properly to align with the exact spot of the stud. If these measurements are slightly off, additional pieces must be purchased—which only delays the process more.
2. Corner Installation
Corner installation is the primary complication for installing a continuous handrail, and all of them create their own unique challenges. For example:
- Horizontal-to-horizontal (fixed 90 degree elbow piece) — turning a corner at the same, flat elevation
When connecting handrail lengths at a horizontal-to-horizontal corner, the elevation remains the same, requiring only a fixed 90-degree elbow.
- Horizontal-to-slope (fixed 90 degree elbow piece, rotated) — turning a corner and changing elevation
A horizontal-to-slope corner requires the handrail to turn a corner and then change elevation, presenting a challenge. This type of corner requires a fixed 90-degree elbow piece and a rotation that allows the handrail to slope with the stairway or ramp.
- Slope-to-slope (adjustable/universal elbow) — turning a corner while going down stairs
A slope-to-slope elevation change where a corner is turned going down the stairway presents the most challenging scenario as there would nott be a standard angle with which to work, such as the 90-degree corner in a horizontal-to-horizontal corner.
3. Ramp Slope Changes — example entering a ramp (5 degree bend)
In addition to creating a continuous handrail on a stairway, slope changes present their own set of challenges—depending on where the ramp is located. Wheelchair ramps, for instance, require a 5-degree bend as the slope changes.
4. Bump-outs/Joggles/Offsets — basements, build-out around ventilation, etc.
When continuous handrails are being installed, it is common to find that there are bumps or offsets that make it difficult to install properly. In fact, some continuous handrails need to be built around ventilation systems or around bump-outs or joggles. For these situations, customized continuous handrails need to be used
5. Custom Dimension Requirements
Getting the measurements and angles right poses its own set of challenges. Even after measuring a system multiple times, it’s possible that measurements still be incorrect, especially handrail manufacturers typically offer measurements differently.
The Innovative Solution: The Sprocketlock™ System
Given the challenges of creating a continuous handrail that aligns with ADA requirements, it’s clear that an innovative solution is essential—one that revolutionizes the handrail industry as a whole.
To provide a solution, Promenaid engineered its Sprocketlock™ technology to provide a way to make installing continuous stair handrails easier.
Sprocketlock™ Technology
Sprocketlock technology utilizes a gear-shaped sprocket that not only connects the handrail to the wall or post but also connects bends and collars to create any configuration necessary to form a sleek continuous handrail.
Benefits of Using Sprocketlock™ for Continuous Stair Handrails
The Sprocketlock™ continuous handrail is truly a unique. Here are some of the benefits has that makes it different from almost every other continuous handrail:
Easy to Install
With the Sprocketlock™ system, handrails turn corners and change elevation with ease. The main advantage is that the sprockets act as the core of the whole system, locking bends and corners together with just the twist of a hex key.
The collars and bends come in different sizes, and they are independent and can be assembled in various combinations. Often, only one or two bends are needed, but for more complex corners and elevation changes, three bends can be swiveled to make any angle.
As Rigid as Steel
These bends and corners lock into place, creating a safe, sturdy, continuous handrail that meets ADA guidelines for both interior or exterior handrails.
Because they are so strong and lock into place with the Sprocketlock™ system, they allow for free-standing bends that weren’t possible with the traditional bend systems that required the support of brackets to create its strength.
Easily Create Smooth Angles
The Sprocketlock™ system easily creates smooth angles that accommodate any corner, bend, or slope. Because they lock tightly without bracket support, you can feel confident about installing one on any stairway or ramp, regardless of its complexity.
Freestanding-Friendly
With the traditional system of bends and corners, brackets were needed to support the bends and lock them in place. The Sprocketlock™ system creates a freestanding-friendly handrail, allowing for continuous handrails in places where it would have been difficult to install them in the past.
Fewer Brackets
Fewer brackets means that the continuous handrail can maintain a smoother profile from beginning to end. It also means that installation will require less time, along with eliminating the inconvenience of not having a stud located exactly where you need one.
Saves Time
The Sprocketlock™ system saves time, especially when a handrail is needed on a large stairwell of four or more floors. Because these handrails are easily customized and adjusted, inconsistencies in angles from floor to floor are easily corrected. If a custom handrail were ordered only to find that the angles weren’t exactly right, time and money would be wasted by returning them to be remade. With Promenaid’s Sprocketlock™ system, adjustments can be made on-site, saving both time and money.
Invest in a Better Continuous Handrail System
Regardless of the length, slope, or corners, Promenaid’s versatile Sprocketlock™ system creates a continuous handrail that is not only safe, but also beautiful, modern, and sleek.
Not to mention, it can be used to meet the requirements of all ADA continuous handrail regulations.
If you’re interested in learning more about our handrails—or have any questions at all—contact us today for a more streamlined continuous handrail solution.
