Hong Kong Handrail Regulation

Building (Planning) Regulations (Cap. 123, section 38)

Part 2: Design Requirements

Division 7: Steps and Staircases
28. Dimension and shape of handrail

(1) A handrail to ramps and steps shall be fixed not less than 30 mm and not more than 50 mm clear of wall and with a clear height of 70 mm from the top of the bracket to the top of the handrail.

(2) The top of a handrail shall be at a height of not less than 850 mm and not more than 950 mm above any nosing, floor or landing.

(3) A handrail shall be—
(a) tubular; or
(b) in any other shapes that can provide the user a grip similar to that provided by a tubular handrail.

(4) The external diameter of a handrail shall be not less than 32 mm and not more than 50 mm.

(5) A handrail shall—
(a) extend horizontally not less than 300 mm beyond the first and last nosing of every flight of staircase or beyond the ends of a ramp; and
(b) terminate into a closed end, which shall turn down or return fully to end post or wall face and which shall not project into a route of travel.

(6) Notwithstanding subsection (5)(a), where a door opening is in place, the horizontal extension may be shortened to not less than 100 mm.