mtCDCcb wrote:Does a handrail that ends in an lamb's tongue meet the continuity requirements for a residential handrail?
Interesting - I have never heard the term "lamb's tongue" before.
The handrail is to be returned to the wall, floor, or newel post, or may have a starting easing, or a volute or turnout
From the 2012 IRC (and this has remained basically unchanged for many code cycles): (bold and underlining are mine)
- R311.7.8.2 Continuity.
- - Handrails for stairways shall be continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight.
Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 1 1/2 inch (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails.
- - - Exceptions:
- - - - 1. Handrails shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at the turn.
- - - - 2.
The use of a volute, turnout, starting easing or starting newel shall be allowed over the lowest tread.
Your first photo shows a handrail end which is definitely not returned or any of the other options provided for.
Your second photo shows a handrail end which might meet the requirements of being "returned", but I cannot tell from the photo. It really is not much better than just leaving the handrail end sticking out - somewhat better, and being as the code is a minimum requirement only, it would depend on if that is fully returned to the post. However, unless clarified differently, I am saying this one is not permitted either.
SMA starting easing, turnout, volute, starting newel.jpg
SMA returned to wall.jpg
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