A ramp has a rise of 4 inches and a length of 60 inches. How many handrails are required?

• A. One
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Four

Answer: (A)

Handrails on ramps are determined by how long the ramp is, to ensure steady support as you traverse the incline. In this case, the ramp is 60 inches long (5 feet), which meets the length threshold that calls for at least one handrail. The rise is 4 inches, but the longer length is what drives the need for a handrail. So the ramp requires a single handrail along the accessible side. If the ramp were shorter than the threshold, or if other standards applied, the number could differ, but with a 5-foot ramp, one handrail is required.