spacing between handrail spindles

Discussion in 'Carpenters' Talk' started by micky popup, Aug 20, 2007.

  1. micky popup

    micky popup New Member

    can anybody clarify the correct distance between spindles? i have always understood it to be 100mm but the agent on the site is abit of a" i dont think thats right but do what ya think looks best"type of bloke. i just dont fancy putting about 150 spindles in spaced wrong.
     
  2. foxy

    foxy New Member

    Its 100mm.
    I believe the actual rule is that a sphere 100mm in diameter should not be able to pass between them.
     
  3. Captain Leaky

    Captain Leaky New Member

    ..or a childs head ...
     
  4. dirtybarry

    dirtybarry New Member

    can anybody clarify the correct distance between
    spindles? i have always understood it to be 100mm but
    the agent on the site is abit of a" i dont think
    thats right but do what ya think looks best"type of
    bloke. i just dont fancy putting about 150 spindles
    in spaced wrong.

    it's been reduced to 80mm recently
     
  5. HudsonCarpentry

    HudsonCarpentry New Member

    Last i checked it was max 100mm sphere that mimicked a babies head.

    It may have changed to 80mm you will have to check current regs, try the planing portal!
     
  6. dirtybarry

    dirtybarry New Member

    i'm 2nd fixing all the time at the moment and the stair parts we use have pre cut spacers no bigger than 80mm so you have to do your calculations so they work to spaces no bigger than that, but dont know if its current regs
     
  7. audi-evo

    audi-evo Active Member

    "it's been reduced to 80mm recently"
    yep they don't make kids heads like they used to ;)
     
  8. chip off the block

    chip off the block New Member

    "yep they don't make kids heads like they used to"

    think thats to do with health n safety and givin birth

    but seriously i have alway known it to be 99mm as a 100 sphere would fit thru 100mm and fail not sure about a change in regs but would be interested as im about to do the hanrail on the stairs ive fitted today
     
  9. Mr. Handyandy

    Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

    For what it's worth, I was poo-pooed a while ago on here for suggesting that it had been reduced to 95mm.


    Mr. HandyAndy - really
     
  10. yorkshireboy

    yorkshireboy Member

    The spacers are 80mm because a turned spindle is thinner in the middle than the square end.
    An 80mm spacer will leave a bigger gap than 80mm in the middle
     
  11. chip off the block

    chip off the block New Member

    the gap is always measured at the largest point anyway. maybe 80mm is a guide for getting that
     
  12. chip off the block

    chip off the block New Member

    just looked it up part k and it states the 100mm sphere thing
     
  13. paulo333

    paulo333 Member

    I think everyone on here is right, but especially yorkshireboy.

    If you space the spindles 100mm apart, measuring between the square faces at the top or bottom, you will have 110mm to 120mm gaps where the spindles are narrowest - where they are turned in the middle. That's why 80mm spacers are supplied.
     
  14. dirtybarry

    dirtybarry New Member

    The spacers are 80mm because a turned spindle is
    thinner in the middle than the square end.
    An 80mm spacer will leave a bigger gap than 80mm in
    the middle

    but this site i'm on at the moment have plain chamfered spindles,
     
  15. -chippy_john

    -chippy_john New Member



    but this site i'm on at the moment have plain
    chamfered spindles,

    I've very recently finished something similar. It never occurred to me that it was not still the 100mm sphere idea, so that's what I kept to. 95mm spacers on the levels (just to be on the safe side) and whatever was required (actually 117mm) for the same spacing up the flights.

    It's been passed by both BC and the NHBC in the last few days.
     

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