Hi XXXXXX;
I am not positive but I am pretty sure that the UK has adopted the International Building Code, and the code for hand rails are the same there as they are here in the US.
You will still need to check with your local building inspectors office as your community may have adopted other codes as they see fit for your community. The IBC is only a guide line for communities to use as they wish when adopting their own set of building regulations and codes.
Ihe IBC codes as written require that a minimum heigth of 34" handrail with pickets @ no more than 4 " clearance at the widest part, and that a sphear no more than 4 1/4" be allowed to pass under the bottom of the lower picket support if used.
Handrails shall be installed on any set of stairs over three risers in height or 24" from level floor, or natural ground level, which ever is the less. ie: three risers of only 3" in total rise would not require a hand rail. Whereas three risers of 8" would. As the total rise per tread can be no more than 8 1/4 ", the general rule of thumb is three risers, and up require handrails.
Please be sure to contact your local building inspectors office to confirm that they have adopted the IBC as the codes for your community.
Best, THS
Jack of all trades Master of a few.
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