In this staircase and handrail reference page, we will add as much information as we can to help with any project that you may be involved in, this site will probably take years to build but when you can’t find the information you want here, we will try to guide you in the right direction.
Do you know of reference information that will help here?
Please drop me an email and I will review the information and add it if useful.
- Books.
- Regional information. Building regulations and public bodies by country. To include Architectural, historical. charities, websites and any other relevant information we may find.
- Museums, collections and galleries. Places of interest to view and research examples from historic buildings.
Reference Books.
Some books I would recommend for staircase and handrail reference.
Just a few of the books, that I have the remains of in the workshop.
A Simplified Guide to Custom Stairbuilding and Tangent handrailing.
This is the book I referenced most of all when learning the tangent system of handrailing.
You may have to read some of the explanations a few times but if it was that easy anyone could do it.
Modern practical stairbuilding and handrailing.
George Ellis once again provides an exceptional explanation of the art and craft of joinery.
In this book he concentrates on staircases and handrails giving an insight that still leads the way.
Practical staircase joinery.
A look at many of the traditional methods and skills used in building staircases, Includes many of the basic skills still tuaght today.
PRACTICAL
STAIR BUILDING AND HANDRAILING.
A great resource for anyone working on historic stairs.
Available to download from project Gutenberg.
Modern Practical joinery.
This does have sections on staircases and handrails but is a great all round book covering many aspects of joinery.
Museums, collections and galleries.
Charles Brooking gallery.
The gallery has a selection of stairs, windows, doors and other historic building reference material.
Regional information.
Building codes.
Dependant on where you are around the world, the building codes will be different, although we try to guide you through the basics of staircases and handrail on this site, you will have to make sure your stairs conform to the local authorities regulations that control how the staircase or handrail may be set out and constructed.
Just started adding these.
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U.K.
England.
Building regulations.
English Building regs.
Keep up to date with the latest English building regs, part K relates to staircases and handrails.
Link to the latest regs on the .gov site.
Approved Document K: protection from falling, collision and impact
Scotland.
Building standards.
Keep up to date with the latest Scottish building standards, relates to staircases and handrails.
Link to the latest standards on the .gov.scot site.
Building Standards technical handbook 2017: non-domestic buildings.
Ireland
Building Regulations.
Keep up to date with the latest Irish building regs, part K relates to staircases and handrails.
Link to the latest regs on the .gov.ie site.
Approved Document K: protection from falling, collision and impact
Wales.
Building regulations.
Keep up to date with the latest Welsh building regs, part K relates to staircases and handrails.
Link to the latest regs on the .gov.wales site.
Approved Document K: protection from falling, collision and impact
Other oganisations.
Historic England.
Listed buildings may require consent before carrying out any alterations or repairs.
Listed building consent for England can be obtained through this organisation.
RIBA
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom.
U.S.A
The International Residential Code.
Current codes for residental properties.
Upcoming Version: 2021 IRC Development
The International Building Code
Current codes for Commercial properties.
Upcoming Version: 2021 IBC Development.
International Code Council.
A non profit organisation that write the irc and ibc amongst other Resources.