Stair Safety and Handrail Studies: Methods, Findings and Applications to Building Codes and Standards

Abstract

Background information is provided on the problem of stair accidents and the solutions being recommended as a result of research into stair use and design. Stair accidents are the leading cause of injuries in buildings. Stair safety research dating from 1967, with special attention to human factors, has been conducted in Britain, Canada, Japan, Sweden and the United States. Some design recommendations resulting from this work were published in 1974; many more were published about five years later. Resulting changes in building codes and standards began appearing in 1980; more extensive changes are now being discussed and will appear between 1984 and 1990.