To determine when a handrail is required for stairs, you need to refer to local building codes and safety standards, as these regulations can vary based on location. However, a common standard in many places is that a handrail is required when there are four or more steps.
Let's go through the options:
- When there are three or more steps: This is not the common standard; typically, a handrail is not yet required at this number of steps by most standards, though it could be a requirement under specific local regulations.
- When there are four or more steps: This is the option that aligns with a widespread standard. It's common for building codes to require a handrail once you have four or more steps to ensure the safety of individuals using the stairs.
- When there are eight or more steps: By the time you have this many steps, a handrail would certainly be required according to the common standard. However, this number is higher than the usual requirement.
- When there are eleven or more steps: Similar to the eight-step option, at this number, a handrail is definitely required, but this requirement doesn't illustrate the general threshold where a handrail becomes mandatory, as it overshoots the common four-step standard.
Therefore, based on the common standard, a handrail is required for stairs when there are four or more steps.
