Whether you’re climbing stairs, viewing a great landscape on a higher level indoors or outdoors, or passing through an upstairs hallway, you most likely want to hold onto a handrail, right? This is a standard safety feature that we usually see not only for stairs but even railings both on the ground and on the upper levels of a house or building, including balconies.
Handrails make going up and down stairs safer and more comfortable. You may have noticed that every time you go up or down a new ladder, your hands are often looking for something to hold onto. And that’s where a rail serves its main purpose.
But while the handrail is there to keep people safe, not everyone who uses the stairs uses it. The use of the rails is somehow associated with age and the arrangement of the stairs, as found in a study covering five stairs. It showed that only 16 to 18 percent of the people descending used the rail extensively, while only 10 percent used it to climb. Also, people are less likely to use it if you take them a longer route.
Many of us are aware that a handrail is in place to prevent accidents. Specifically, it aims to prevent loss of balance, help a person regain balance in the event of a slip or fall, help climb a ladder, guide a person and provide stability especially for people with visual and balance problems.
But today, of course, this safety tool also adds beauty to a flight of stairs or other types of railings. Regardless of where it is placed, whether on a wall or a concrete staircase, a handrail must be installed correctly.
Ideally, the height of a handrail is determined vertically starting from the step to the top of the handrail. The height depends on the purpose of the device. But normally, it is installed in a position where it can be easily reached and where the hand can comfortably grip it. Studies have shown that when choosing between the proper height for handrails for both ascending and descending a ladder, the ideal height for descending is the most preferred option. Research has cited that the majority of falls from a ladder are those that occur while descending, which are considered one of the leading causes of injury.
Ensuring safety is not limited to deciding to install a handrail. The choice of the shape of the luminaire is also very important. Experts suggest that a circular shape should be used due to its ability to accommodate all shapes and sizes of hands.
A 1988 study by Brian Maki found that circular-shaped rails measuring 3.8 centimeters in diameter provide the greatest stabilizing force. The same research also found that circular and oval handrails had the best grades in terms of grip and gliding comfort. Those narrow rectangular and decorative railings showed low marks.
Now that you know the benefits of having this accessory on your stairs, make sure you choose the right option for your home.
