VA Handrails

[CindyR]

Did a final walk through on a new construction home and noticed no handrails on the stairs. That is kind of unusual for a big builder and not anything i ever noticed before. But i wanted to check the VA docs to be sure before i require them to add handrails. Well only the Roanoke 2012 appraiser guide specifically says handrails are a safety requirement. The St Paul guide mentions safety items 'like handrails' but does not show the specific requirement as noted in Roanoke. And the Phoenix 2011 appraiser handbook does not mention handrails. And, most significantly the Chapter 12 MPR doc in VA Pamplet 26-7 does not mention handrails as a safety issue.

So anyone have any thoughts on the subject? And yes i will call VA on monday and to the guy who thinks i should just look it up please just ignore me...

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

I'm in the Cleveland RLC area. As per your photo, at least, one safety railing would be required.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Are they a requirement for a Certificate of Occupancy/Completion?

examples:

1. City of Scottsdale - General Requirements
   www.scottsdaleaz.gov/building-resources/SFR-process/general-...
   Single Family Residential General Requirements. ... Stairways must be a minimum of 36" in width with at least one handrail. The rise of stairs shall not be more ...
2. 1. Residential Plan Review Checklist - City of Chandler
      www.chandleraz.gov/content/UDM_ResidentialReviewChecklist.pd...
      Aug 1, 2013 ... 215 E. Buffalo St., Chandler Arizona 85225 ... Residential Plan Review ... Handrail and guardrail balusters are required to be spaced so a ...
3. Gila County - Page 16. http://www.gilacountyaz.gov/2014bldgsafety/building_code_handbook__2014.pdf
4. City of Litchfield Park, AZ http://www.litchfield-park.org/471/Stairway

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

In my area, V.A. guidelines supersede local codes.

 

[CindyR]

Are they a requirement for a Certificate of Occupancy/Completion?

examples:

1. City of Scottsdale - General Requirements
   www.scottsdaleaz.gov/building-resources/SFR-process/general-...
   Single Family Residential General Requirements. ... Stairways must be a minimum of 36" in width with at least one handrail. The rise of stairs shall not be more ...
2. 1. Residential Plan Review Checklist - City of Chandler
      www.chandleraz.gov/content/UDM_ResidentialReviewChecklist.pd...
      Aug 1, 2013 ... 215 E. Buffalo St., Chandler Arizona 85225 ... Residential Plan Review ... Handrail and guardrail balusters are required to be spaced so a ...
3. Gila County - Page 16. http://www.gilacountyaz.gov/2014bldgsafety/building_code_handbook__2014.pdf
4. City of Litchfield Park, AZ http://www.litchfield-park.org/471/Stairway

Good point Mike. I should have mentioned it was in Buckeye and you would probably have posted a link to their referenced 2012 International Building Code.

I did have an interesting discussion with the builder rep in the sales office. He pulled out the building plans to see if there was supposed to be a railing and there was not one shown. I asked if this was an option the buyer had to select and he pulled docs and said no to that too. He did admit they had closed only one 2 story home in the subdivision and he was going to go check and see if that one had a handrail installed.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Handrails- not installed or missing (consider installing anything over 3 steps)
http://www.militaryvaloan.com/blog/common-issues-on-VA-appraisals/

Page VA ROANOKE 2005 ( may have been updated/revised - IF SO - someone pls post it)

MPR’s for Proposed Construction
♦Building Codes
All State, County or Local Building Codes apply. If there are none, then VA MPR's are the
applicable provisions of the currentCABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code.
The 1992 CABO Model Energy Code applies either way.
http://www.benefits.VA.gov/roanoke/rlc/forms/ci_guide_2005.pdf


2015
Corrections can include repairs to leaking roofs, fixing windows that don’t open or close properly, missing handrails for staircases with more than three steps and other important issues. Does the appraiser spot areas that require inspections? They must be mentioned in the report, plus supporting information that justifies the appraisal.
http://www.vanewsblog.com/2015/03/VA-rules-for-property-appraisal/

 

[Mike Kennedy]

VA Pamphlet 26-7, Revised Chapter 12: Minimum Property Requirements

Chapter 12
Minimum Property Requirements
Overview

Purpose of MPRs
VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) provide general acceptability criteria for properties which will become the security for VA-guaranteed loans.

In proposed or under construction cases, the MPRs help ensure that the property is constructed according to the applicable

· building code
· Federal regulations, and
· HUD requirements.

In existing and new construction cases, the MPRs provide a basis for determining that the property is

· safe, structurally sound and sanitary, and
· meets the standards considered acceptable in a permanent home in its locality.

http://www.benefits.VA.gov/warms/pam26_7.asp

also see:

12.02 Proposed Construction MPRs

Where a Building Code is Enforced
If the property is located in a jurisdiction which enforces a State, county or local building code, then VA MPRs require that the construction comply with

· the applicable State, county or local building code
· 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200.926d, Construction Requirements
· 1992 Council of American Building Officials (CABO) Model Energy Code (MEC), and
· HUD references below.
[CFR 200.926d]

Where a Building Code is Not Enforced
If the property is located in a jurisdiction which does not enforce a State, county or local building code, then VA MPRs require that the construction comply with

· applicable provisions of the current CABO International One and Two Family Dwelling Code, and any mandatory codes or standards incorporated by reference
· 24 CFR 200.926d, Construction Requirements
· 24 CFR 200.926e, Supplemental Information for Use with CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code
· 1992 CABO Model Energy Code (MEC), and
· HUD references below.
[24 CFR 200.926d]
[24 CFR 200.926e]

 

[CindyR]

Thanks Mike - works for me. I didn't want to say it was a VA requirement if i could not document said requirement.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Thanks Mike - works for me. I didn't want to say it was a VA requirement if i could not document said requirement.

 

[Kitarkus]

I recently discussed this very issue with the VA St. Paul RLC. They informed me that they (VA) offers no steadfast guidelines and that it is the "Appraiser's judgement" as to whether the lack of hand rails or safety railings could pose a potentially adverse safety condition. Your mileage may vary.