Do I need a handrail on both sides of my deck stairs in Moncton NB?

No, the NB Building Code requires a handrail on only one side of residential deck stairs in Moncton, provided the stair width is 1,100mm or less. If your stairs exceed 1,100mm (approximately 44 inches) in clear width, then a handrail on both sides is required. For the typical deck staircase built at 36 inches wide, a single graspable handrail on one side satisfies the code.

It is important to distinguish between a handrail and a guard, because the NB Building Code treats them as separate elements with different requirements. A guard is the barrier that prevents you from falling off the open side of a staircase or elevated deck surface. Guards are required on any staircase where the adjacent grade is 600mm or more below the stair. A handrail is the graspable element you hold onto while ascending or descending. A guard can incorporate a handrail at its top, or a handrail can be mounted independently. The code requires at least one handrail on stairs with more than two risers, and that handrail must run the full length of the stair flight.

The handrail must be graspable, which the code defines through specific dimensional requirements. A circular cross-section must have an outside diameter between 32mm and 38mm. For non-circular profiles, the graspable portion must have a perimeter between 100mm and 125mm and a cross-section dimension not exceeding 45mm. A standard 2x4 laid flat on top of a guard does not qualify as a graspable handrail because it is too wide for a hand to wrap around. Many deck builders in Moncton add a separate round or profiled handrail on top of or alongside the guard railing to meet this requirement.

The handrail must also be continuous for the full length of the stair flight and must extend horizontally at least 300mm beyond the top riser and the bottom riser. This extension gives you something to hold as you transition from the flat deck surface to the angled staircase and vice versa. The extensions are frequently overlooked in residential deck construction but are part of the code requirement and can be flagged during inspection.

Mounting height for the handrail is measured vertically from the stair nosing to the top of the handrail. The NB code specifies a height between 865mm and 965mm. This range gives you some flexibility, but the handrail height must be consistent along the entire run. A handrail that starts at 900mm and ends at 940mm because the stringer was slightly off will likely pass, but significant variation will not.

While a second handrail is not required on stairs under 1,100mm wide, adding one is a worthwhile consideration in Moncton's winter climate. Icy stairs are significantly safer when you can grip a rail with either hand, regardless of which direction you are facing or which hand is carrying groceries. For elderly residents or homes with frequent visitors, the second handrail provides meaningful safety value beyond what code demands.

If you are building a wider staircase for aesthetic reasons or because your deck serves as a primary entrance, crossing the 1,100mm threshold triggers the dual-handrail requirement. At that point, both handrails must meet the same graspability, height, and extension standards. This is worth planning for in advance because retrofitting a second handrail after construction is more expensive and disruptive than including it in the original build. The cost for a code-compliant exterior handrail in the Moncton area typically runs $15 to $30 per linear foot for materials, with professional installation adding another $15 to $25 per linear foot.

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