Installation Guide

22
Handrail height is defined as the vertical distance from the top
of the handrail to the top of the leading edge of the tread (see
Fig. S-6a). For accuracy, this measurement should be made at
the fourth step. The length of the starting newel is the chief
determinant of handrail height for the rake (angled) portion of
the rail for the entire balustrade.
CH
ECK LOCAL BUILDING CODE
F
OR HANDRAIL HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS
. Currently, the IRC
2003 requires height to be not less than 34
" and no greater
than 38
".
Fig. S-6b shows the critical
measurement points of the
three basic types of
starting newels. If you are
installing the Williamsburg
Collection, you will need
to carefully review
StairNote Seven: The
Williamsburg Collection.
Handrail
height
SECTION B
S TAIRN OTE
S IX
S TARTING N EWELS
AND
H ANDRAIL H EIGHT
FIG.S-6a - Measurement of handrail height
NOTE: The complex geometry of stairway construction makes it
impossible for Crown Heritage to guarantee precise installed
handrail height for your stairway. The pitch of the stairway, style
of fittings and rail you select, accuracy of trimming and
connections, and centering the newel in places other than the “ideal
newel position” can all result in slight variations in handrail height.
We recommend you plan your balustrade to exceed building code
requirements in all respects.
Fig. S-6c shows how moving the starting newel away from the
“ideal position” will affect handrail height. If your calculations show
the rake handrail height of the stairway will be too low, this
technique will allow you to increase it. On starting steps, it is best
to position newels exactly as shown on the supplied template.
T
emplates will be found in the volute or turnout fitting boxes.
42
"
34
1
/ 2
"
51
"
FIG. S-6b - Critical measurement
points of starting newels
Note: With variation depending on the arrangement,
movement of one inch will alter the handrail
height approximately
5
/ 8 " to
7
/ 8 ".
Change to
handrail
height
“Ideal position”
of starting new el
Mov ement of ne wel
position, away from riser ,
increases handrail height
FIG.S-6c - Impact on handrail height by moving starting newel
2
1
Install the wood screw end of the lag bolt into the hole
using a ratchet or drill and socket. You may find it easier to
lock two nuts together to make it easier to turn. The screw
must penetrate the newel so that only 1" of the machine
portion of the lag bolt is exposed at the bottom of the
newel.
Mount the tread to the starting step riser as you normally
would. Turn the machine screw end that is exposed on the
bottom of the newel into the female portion of the metal
plate that is attached to the bottom of the tread.
Hand tighten the newel to the top of the tread and square
up the position of the newel so that it suits your
installation.
Alternate Installation for dowel-bottom newels: Drill a hole
for the dowel base of the starting newel. The hole should
penetrate the tread and the first riser block inside the
starting step. Insert the newel dowel until it rests on the
lower riser block. Measure and remove the excess dowel
length so the newel will be flush on the starting step, with
t
he do
w
el r
esting on the lower riser block. Turn the starting
step on its side and drill a
3
/16" hole through the lower riser
block into the bottom center of the dowel to receive a
1
/4" x
2
1
/2" lag screw.
Apply construction adhesive to the bottom of the newel at
t
he point where it will come in contact with the tread.
Mount the newel to the step using the lag screw and a
washer large enough to cover the hole. Pull the newel down
snug (see F
ig. 10-2). Align it carefully before the adhesive
starts to set and immediately clean up any excess adhesive.
Riser
blocks
Construction
a
dhesive
Washer
SECTION B
S TEP
B.3a
FIG. 10-2 - Alternate newel installation on a starting step