request for a simple handrail

[Dan C]

Up to this point my smithing work has consisted of making bottle openers, gardening tools and other small hand forged items.  I have done welding for friends on their fences, frame modifications on my truck, a very large firepit for a church on a kid's Eagle project and numerous other small projects, but avoid doing something I think I could be held liable for.  As most of you are accustomed to, I got the following request for a service I don't offer and this would be a first time for me.  My concern is what's the liability risk involved?  I don't carry business insurance as I only do smithing work in my spare time.

 

"Hi, we are wanting to find someone to make a very simple wrought iron handrail for a narrow set of steps going up to a small bathroom in a studio.  We need someone to place the area we would screw into the wall to align with the studs as nothing commercially available looks quite right or offers any charm.

 

Is this something you could make?  We want it to be about 36 - 42 inches long and only about 3 inches from the wall.  We would want to have three fasteners to attach to the studs."

 

Searching online for Texas residential handrailing code I found the following:

 

"Handrails are allowed to project into the clear width of the stairs but shall not reduce the width to any less than 27″ if the handrail is installed on both sides. (31 1/2″ if handrail is installed on one side only)."

 

If this is something I should pass on please let me know and if someone else in Central Texas is better suited for the job, PM me and I'll pass on the customer's request to you.

[JimsShip]

Would the handrail limit the step width less than 31 1/2"?

I would think if this is for a home owner, and they install it, you wouldn't be liable.

The only liability I see is if the welds for the mounts break and grandma takes a header, but maybe having them sign a waiver at the time of purchase would absolve you, but i'm not a lawyer.

Personally a job like that's out of my league and comfort zone.  (At least for someone else's house!)

[DSW]

Handrails and guard rails are a bit different. If the vertical height is less than 30", but more than 3 risers, you only need a hand rail. Over 30" you need a guard rail. A guard rail has "pickets" or some other barrier to keep someone from going under the railing. No part of the guard rail can allow a 4" sphere from passing thru. If the rail does not extend to the stair, you can not be able to pass a 6" sphere under the lower rail.

 

Hand rail  height from top to nosing needs to be between 34" to 38" in residential construction on stairs.

Top grip needs to be 1 1/4" to 2" and "gripable".

Max projection into stair space is 4 1/2".

Ends must return to wall or newel post.

If attached to the closed side of a wall, min space needs to be 1 1/2".

Rail needs to be able to support a 200 lb person.

Handrail needs to be continuous from top to bottom and can only be interrupted by newel posts at landings in residential construction.

 

Here's a few links I have saved on the matter. I have to dig a bit more and find my other links.

 

http://www.robbinsdalemn.com/Download/Build_Inspector/Stairtextandpics5-8-08..pdf

 

http://www.battlecreekmi.gov/Assets/Permits+and+Forms/Building+-+Inspection+Permits/StairCode.pdf

 

 

I wouldn't have any issues building a rail for a customer to instal. My biggest concern if anything would be having a big enough plate at the top to make sure they were able to tie it into the studs well enough or into blocking that was installed to support the railing. That said, my contractors insurance would cover me on this.