Architectural

Understanding Cane Rails In Stair Design

What are cane rails, how are they used, and why are they important for maintaining the safety of those who use the space around them?

What is a Cane Rail?

A cane rail is a structure beneath a “floating” stair that assists with the safety of those who use the space around it. The International Building Code (IBC) requires areas with less than 80″ of vertical clearance under stairs to be cane detectable. This is usually done with a barrier, such as cane detection railing.

Basic Cane Rail Example

Typical Size of A Cane Rail

27″ is the maximum height of a cane rail. A minimum height is not specified for this barrier, though it is recommended that barriers be high enough so that they are not mistaken for a step or other change in level and do not pose a tripping hazard.

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Cane Rails Don’t Need To Be Purely Utilitarian

Cane rails can combine form and function. Thereby converting a space that would otherwise be unused into a beautiful area where people can work, converse, relax, and collaborate.