Consider safety on landings
Most people will have a basic idea of why it is important to have a handrail wherever there is a change in elevation. This is true whether it is inside of a building or in a public space. The rail is there to help people ascend or descend safely, ensuring they can hold on tightly and support themselves. It can be crucial for anyone with mobility limitations, including elderly people and children.
However, things can get confusing when it comes to landings. Do you need to have a railing here too? We want to have a closer look at that here to offer some advice.
The rules
If you consider building regulations, you don't actually have to provide a rail on landings. The rails are only a requirement for transitional spaces where people are ascending or descending. A landing is a flat space, so there is no need for an aid.
However, while it may not be necessary you might still want to provide one. Railings need to be continuous to ensure people can hold on at all times as they move up and down the stairs. It may be safe and flat on the landings with no risk of falling, but if there is no railing they need to let go and then find the next one for the next part of the stairs. So, it could be better to just continue the handrail around the landing.
It can also be a good idea to have handrails on landings if there is a risk of falling. For example, it may be the landing is open on one or multiple sides because of the layout of the building and space. For example, it could be a big open atrium space. Here you may want a handrail on top of a balustrade for safety.
Do you want to design a reliable handrail?
Barrier Mart appreciates how important handrails are. They ensure people will be safer on stairs, ramps, and spaces like balconies, mezzanines, and landings. We can help with this thanks to our key clamp system. It is a unique option that can turn standard metal tubing into rails. There are many different clamps to hold the tubes securely in place and allow changes in direction. The elbows and mid corners are particularly good if you need a rail to go around a landing, balcony, or similar space.
You can learn more about each of the key clamp fittings on our website. They are available to suit different tube diameters. We can even supply tubes, including top and mid rails. They are available in a choice of finishes, such as yellow or black powder coated. So, if you want anything from us, order via our website or get in touch.