The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act of 1970) was created to protect workers from serious injury on the job. These days, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) serves that purpose by enforcing a variety of protective workplace safety and health standards. One set of those standards involves stairway and handrail safety. You may be familiar with the continuous handrail standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); however, read on for more details on handrail continuity per OSHA.
Purchasing and Caring for an Exterior Aluminum Handrail
Durable exterior handrails are a must for many commercial and residential buildings. Not only do they offer peace of mind and a wide range of accessibility, but also they can add a bit of flair to your building’s exterior. At the end of the day, exterior aluminum handrails are the most durable, attractive, and versatile product on today’s market. If you’re ready to invest in this fail-safe handrail option, check out our guide to purchasing and caring for an exterior aluminum handrail.
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The Importance of a Continuous Handrail
We all need a little support from time to time. If you’ve ever walked down a flight of stairs, chances are you’ve paid little to no mind to the handrail supporting your descent. And if you’ve never stopped to examine a handrail, you likely haven’t noticed continuous sections – connected handrail sections that serve as an important support, especially for individuals with mobility issues. The importance of a continuous handrail can’t be overstated, especially in terms of safety and building code requirements.
How to Pick the Perfect Aluminum ADA Handrail
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has set forth a series of handrail compliance standards that prioritize three things: safety, consistency, and most importantly, accessibility for individuals with disabilities. ADA-compliant handrails are important if you want to keep your business accessible to individuals of all mobility and ability levels – the question is, with so many options available, how do you select the aluminum ADA handrail that is best for your project?
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When Is a Handrail Required?
When you’re constructing a new project, it’s easy to focus on the big picture and neglect the details. However, certain details – handrails, for example – are crucial factors in your building’s safety. When is a handrail required? Whether your building is for residential, commercial, or public use, it’s important to keep national handrail regulations in mind.
Residential Handrail Requirements
Residential handrails can add a lot of aesthetic value to your home. Of course, looks can be deceiving, and even the most stylish handrail can fall short of safety requirements. When installing a handrail inside or outside your home, keep in mind that a railing’s safety function is truly the most important thing. Not sure of the best way to keep your family safe around stairs? Review the most recent residential handrail requirements below.
How to Mount a Handrail on Different Surfaces
Handrails can be a great finishing touch to your home’s exterior – but how do you install a handrail on, say, a stucco wall? What about brick, concrete, or wood? Figuring out how to mount a handrail on different surfaces can be a bit confusing, but it’s certainly not impossible. With a few tweaks during your mounting process, you’ll have an attractive, solid handrail mounted in no time.
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How to Use a Screw Anchor
Whether you’re installing a handrail or a large picture frame, one thing is certain: Careful hanging will save you a major headache down the line. While a loosely hung picture frame can lead to a big mess, a loosely hung handrail can be dangerous, especially for individuals with mobility issues. For that reason, we include screw anchors with all of the handrails available in our online store. These handy devices are helpful when hanging light- to semi-heavy objects, allowing you to securely hang items virtually anywhere without looking for a stud in your wall. However, it’s crucial to learn how to use a screw anchor properly before you install your handrail.
Best Method for Cleaning Aluminum Handrails
As a homeowner, you have plenty of maintenance to worry about. Cleaning your handrails shouldn’t be a taxing item on your weekend to-do list. Fortunately, if you have aluminum handrails, you know that they require very little upkeep. These durable, attractive, and affordable railings are virtually maintenance-free – still, life happens, and you might find that your railings are in need of a little TLC after a heavy storm or a particularly devious flock of pigeons. We’ve researched the best method for cleaning aluminum handrails so you can keep your handrails sparkling.
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Handrail Color Suggestions
Handrails aren’t just for safety. With a fresh coat of paint, handrails can also add a level of character and style to your home. Aluminum handrails offer a particularly wide variety of color options thanks to the handrail’s smooth, powder-coated exterior. But how do you choose a handrail color that works for your home? Is your home well suited to calming earth tones, or would you rather pack a punch with bold blacks and whites? Before you choose the next hue for your handrail, take a look at these handrail color suggestions for every home aesthetic.
