R311.7.8

Section R311.7.8 is titled 'Handrails' and covers the requirements for providing an element adjacent to stairways with 4 or more risers which users can hold on to. The purpose of this section is to reduce trip and fall hazards.

The model shows two stairways side-by-side with the left one having 4 risers and a handrail on one side, and the right one having only 3 risers and no handrail, making these stairways compliant with this section of the code. Note that handrails are allowed to be installed on stairways with less than 4 risers, and on both sides of a stairway.