9.8.7.7.Design and Attachment of Handrails (See Note A-9.8.7.7.)

(1) Handrails and their supports shall be designed and constructed to withstand the following loads, which need not be considered to act simultaneously: (a) a concentrated load of not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and (b) for handrails other than those serving a single dwelling unit, a uniform load of not less than 0.7 kN/m. (2) Where exterior or interior handrails serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces are attached to wood studs or blocking, the attachment shall be deemed to comply with Sentence (1), where (a) the attachment points are spaced not more than 1.2 m apart measured on the horizontal plane, (b) the first attachment point at either end is located not more than 300 mm from the end of the handrail, and (c) the fasteners consist of no fewer than 2 No. 8 wood screws at each point, penetrating not less than 32 mm into solid wood.