Do I need to have 2 handrails, or just 1?

Originally Posted by livo

Hi all,

I have recently built deck and installed a balastraude and handrail down the stairs.

I was under the impression that If the stairs are under 1m wide, a handrail is only needed on one side. I also recall something about if the stairs are less than 350mm off a solid surface (in this case, it’s the brick wall of the dwelling next to the stairs), a second handrail is not needed.

However the surveyor has not passed the inspection because he claims a second handrail is needed as the stairs are more than 125mm off the wall of the dwelling.

Can anyone clarify this for me? Or point me in the direction of the relevant part of the BCA or regs around this?

Cheers in advance!

I recently had our house pest and building inspected in NSW and he told me for a set of stairs less then 900mm wide you don't need a hand rail at all. This is an internal set of stairs with plasterboard each side.