NCC Handrail Requirements

The National Construction Code (NCC) is Australia’s primary set of technical design and construction provisions for new builds, making it incredibly important for developers, architects, and project owners. It covers everything from energy efficiency to waterproofing, and even handrails.

Unfortunately, like most of the information included within the NCC, information surrounding handrail requirements is a little confusing. However, this code is incredibly important for setting the minimum level of safety, health, and accessibility required, so it’s vital that you know what’s expected of you. Explore everything you need to know about the NCC handrail requirements below.

Why are handrail requirements essential?

The number one reason why handrails exist is for safety reasons. Without a handrail, stairways or ramps become much more dangerous as there’s nothing for you to grab should you slip. A handrail can act as a steady anchor, barrier, and accessibility aid, making them necessary almost everywhere.

Handrail requirements are essential so there is a set standard surrounding the barriers. Just like steps need to be a uniform height to prevent people from tripping over a too-short or too-tall height, handrails need to be uniform in houses and buildings to make sure they’re where people expect them to be when they need them most.

Requirements surrounding handrails also make sure any handrail provision is fully compliant and meets the standard safety obligation.

What are the key NCC handrail requirements?

Let’s break down the key NCC handrail requirements to make sure you know exactly what’s expected of your developments in terms of safety and accessibility:

Handrail placement

Handrails must be located along at least one side of the stairway flight or ramp, and they need to extend along the full length of the stairway. The only exception to this is when the handrail is associated with a barrier, in which the handrail may finish where the barrier ends.

Height of handrails on stairs and landings

The height of a handrail depends on its location in relation to the stairs:

• The top of a handrail on a stairway or ramp must not be less than 865 mm above the nosings of the stair treads*
• On landings, balconies, decks, and other flat platforms, the handrail must not be less than 1000 mm

*The nosing line follows the highest point of each step.

Height of a wall-mounted handrail

Handrails are sometimes required in a corridor, hallway, balcony, deck, or veranda. This means the handrail is mounted on a wall, which means the top of it must be between 900 mm and 1100 mm from the ground. A good aiming point is 1 metre.

Handrail obstructions

There must be no obstructions on the handrails to a stairway that can break contact between the person using it and the rail. The exception to this is newel posts, ball type stanchions, or similar.

Are there any exceptions to the above requirements?

The key requirements we’ve just mentioned don’t apply when:

• A stairway or ramp is less than 1 metre tall
• On a landing
• On a winder where the newel post is installed to provide a handhold.

Learn more about the NCC requirements surrounding handrails here.

Handrail requirements for accessibility

Handrails may also be required for accessibility to make sure that everyone is able to walk along a pathway safely, without the risk of falling. According to Clause 11.3.3 of NCC Part 11.3 Barriers and Handrails, a continuous barrier must be provided along the side of a trafficable surface where the fall height is more than 1 metre, such as:

• A stairway or ramp
• A floor, corridor, hallway, balcony, deck, verandah, mezzanine, access bridge or similar
• A rooftop space that’s open to the general public
• Any delineated path of access to a building

However, these requirements don’t apply to:

• a retaining wall unless the retaining wall forms part of, or is directly associated with, a delineated path of access to a building from the road, or a delineated path of access between buildings
• a barrier provided to an openable window

Balustrades and edge protection

A balustrade is otherwise known as the verticle barriers that sit between the stairs and the handrail. You don’t always need a balustrade, but they’re essential in some situations to provide safety when walking up and down stairs. A balustrade is required when:

• There is a fall distance of more than one metre
• When the fall distance is more than four metres, the balustrading cannot be horizontal or climbable

The fall distance is simply the height between the top step and the floor. The higher the fall distance, the more dangerous a stairway is without balustrades. They’re put in place to give you extra edge protection to prevent you from falling between the handrail and the stairs.

Balustrade spacing

Where balustrade wire or individual balusters are being used, spacing should never be less than 125 mm. You should be mindful of any turnings or thinner points in your balusters, as these can make the gaps bigger than you intended in certain places.

What about horizontal balustrades?

Once a platform becomes higher than 4 metres, horizontal elements are no longer safe because of the risk of climbing. The NCC states that you can use horizontal elements when the fall height is less than 4 metres, but once it surpasses this metric, only verticle balustrades are deemed safe.

Deemed to Satisfy provisions for handrail compliance

Deemed to Satisfy (DtS) provisions are put in place to help building developers and project owners who cannot adhere to the NCC requirements due to extenuating circumstances. They offer you a way to still meet the safety standard expected of you by showing your compliance with the rule, even if you can’t meet the set expectation. Like with most requirements from the NCC, there are multiple DtS solutions for handrail compliance.

For example, the NCC states that openings in barriers, including decorative balustrades, must be constructed so that they do not permit a 125 mm sphere to pass through it. For stairways, the opening is measured above the nosing line of the stair treads.

If this is not possible for your design, you might be able to use a barrier constructed of wire if it is built in accordance with the requirements of Clause 11.3.6 of the NCC Part 11.3 Barriers and Handrails. This is an example of a DtS provision that can save you from any legal trouble, while also preventing you from having to remove all of your balustrades to replace them with the correct spacing.

Performance solutions for handrail compliance

Performance solutions are similar to DtS provisions for handrail compliance and prove that you are willing to adhere to the necessary safety standards set out by the NCC, even if you don’t have the means to follow them directly. Performance solutions tend to be slightly more lenient than DtS solutions, so even if you can’t find a suitable DtS solution, you might still be able to show your compliance.

Performance solutions will be verified by one or multiple assessment methods, including:

• Evidence of suitability
• Verification method
• Expert judgement
• Comparison with the Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions

You can also use performance solutions in conjunction with DtS provisions to demonstrate your compliance if this is easier for your particular circumstance. We recommend getting in touch with a professional to work out what your options are.

Common handrail issues and how to avoid them

As the NCC requirements are so lengthy, there’s still room for common issues if you don’t understand them fully. Here are some common issues that might arise from handrail placement and how to avoid them:

• Insufficient height: The NCC requirement states that a handrail must not be less than 865 mm above the stair nosing, but some might be confused as to where this measurement needs to be taken. There must not be less than 865 mm from the top of the handrail to the stair nosing, so measuring between anywhere other than these two points will get you an inaccurate reading. To avoid this, make sure you know where the stair nosing is and always measure to the highest point of the handrail.
• Measuring the stair nosing inaccurately: On the topic of stair nosing, there are some discrepancies as to where this is. If you don’t know where the nosing is, you might find that your handrails are of an incorrect height which can make you liable for non-compliance. The stair nosing is the lip of each stair. When looking at your staircase, imagine a straight line being drawn from one stair lip to another. This is where you should be measuring when determining the height of your handrail.
• Not knowing where you need handrails: The NCC states that handrails are needed on at least one side of a stairway with a fall height of more than 1 metre, but also that they’re needed for accessibility. It can be difficult to know where you need handrails to make sure you’re complying with the standard and to give you peace of mind; we’d highly recommend talking to a professional building certifier. They will be able to tell you exactly where you need handrails and the requirements around them so there’s no confusion as to where you need them.

Inspection requirements

Your new build will need to be inspected by a building certifier before, during, and after the development to make sure the plans are in line with the NCC requirements and Australian Standards. Here are the main things that will be looked at:

• Handrail height: The most important requirement is the height, which must not be less than 865 mm from the nosing of the stairs. However, the best height range is between 900 and 1100 mm to accommodate all heights
• Handrail shape: The handlerail needs to be in a way that makes it easy for the majority of users to grip securely. Australian Standards recommend circular or rectangular shapes with a minimum diameter of 30 mm.
• Handrail clearance: Your inspection should check the handrail clearance and make sure there’s a minimum 50 mm between the rail and adjacent surfaces.
• Toeboards: When a toeboard is required, your inspector will check that it’s no more than 100 mm above the floor.
• Other requirements: Your inspection might also cover things like materials used in the handrails, the methods used to install them, testing procedures, and extra safety measures.

Explore other NCC requirements and regulations

• NCC changes 2024
• NCC energy efficiency requirements
• NCC waterproofing requirements
• NCC floor waste requirements
• NCC disability access requirements

Get free advice from an experienced building broker on your new build

As we say, the NCC requirements can be particularly tricky to navigate when you’re not completely certain of what’s expected of your development. Buildi building brokers have a team of experts ready to help with any questions surrounding the NCC requirements and more, so why not get in touch at 1300 947 132 or through our Contact Form to get free advice today?