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Rail Systems
Urban Areas
Timber
Steel
Wheelchairs
Rural Areas
Remote Areas
Curbs

Rail Systems

Urban & High Risk Areas (IBC-Based)

Rail systems that attach to buildings, such as visitor centers, or that are on trail bridges in urban settings and high-use areas that can reasonably be expected to attract unsupervised, small children, must meet the requirements of the applicable building code. The rail must be at least 42 inches high and not be easy to climb. A 4-inch diameter sphere must not pass through openings from the top of the deck to 34 inches and an 8-inch sphere must not pass through openings from 34 to 42 inches above the top of the deck.

Drawing of an International Building Code Rail System.
Click image to enlarge

Timber

Additional Pictures:

Example sketch of a timber handrail
Photo of a Timber Handrail Photo of a wooden bridge.
ROS Classes: black from U to R, gray from R to RN, white from RN to SPM to SPNM to P

Steel

Steel Tubes

Additional Pictures:

Photo of a steel tube handrail Photo of a steel tube handrail
The 54-inch top horizontal rail is for bicycles.
ROS Classes: black from U to R, gray from R to RN, white from RN to SPM to SPNM to P

Steel Mesh

Additional Pictures:

Photo of Steel Mesh Rails Photo of steel mesh
ROS Classes: black from U to R, gray from R to RN to SPM, white from SPM to SPNM to P

Wheelchairs

A wheelchair rail is required for any accessible trail bridge on a grade steeper than 5 percent.

Additional Pictures:

Example sketch of a wheel chair handrail
Photo of a handicap rail Photo of a handicap rail