Why height is regulated at all
Railing height exists to prevent falls — this is the same safety logic behind the baluster spacing rules in our spacing guide, applied to the vertical dimension instead of the horizontal one.
Requirements vary by application
Staircase handrails, balcony parapets, terrace edges and commercial-building railings are treated differently under building regulations, and requirements can also vary with local municipal bylaws layered on top of the national code.
Why we point you to your architect
We fabricate to the height specified by your architect, engineer or approved drawings — we don't interpret building code compliance on a client's behalf, because getting that wrong has real safety and legal consequences. If you don't have a specified height, get it confirmed by whoever is certifying the building.
Height and comfort together
Code compliance is a floor, not a target — a railing that just clears the minimum can still feel unreassuring to lean against, particularly on terraces (see our terrace guide). Discuss both compliance and comfort with your fabricator.