I got a letter from my insurance I need to put handrails on the steps to my porch (home purchased fairly recently). Totally agree and want to be sure I’m getting it done properly. Mainly I want to do this once, not twice both because of this being time sensitive and not wanting to pay for it twice. The letter specifically asks for handrails no mention of guardrails however we know they can always ask for more. So in your opinion do I need to add handrail with guards or will I be okay without it? The front of my porch measures 25” high at the point you step onto to the porch. Various points around the porch vary depending on if mulch is washed away, etc. but I’m not clear if code means the physical ground or visible ground (land Vs mulch). I will be adding to the porch coming up it’s on the list so I’m less concerned at the moment if the porch needs guards with the rails but can I do the handrails that do not have guards?
Location: Henrico County, Virginia, USA
Single Family Home
5 Stairs (4 is the minimum to need a handrail) (25-27” Hugh porch in the front of the porch where you’d step onto the porch Vs stairs)
Code 311.7.8.1 Virginia Residential Code.
Question: do my handrails required by insurance also need to have guards?