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What is the Scope & Purpose of The NFPA 5000 Code?
1.1* Scope
1.1.1 General. The Code addresses those construction, protection, and occupancy features necessary to minimize danger to life and property.
1.2* Purpose. The purpose of the Code is to provide minimum design regulations to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare and to minimize injuries by regulating and controlling the permitting, design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location, and maintenance of all buildings and structures within the jurisdiction.
Chapter 11 Means of Egress
11.2.2.4.5* Handrail Details
11.2.2.4.5.4 Handrails shall provide a clearance of not less than 2-1/4 in. (57mm) between the handrail and the wall to which it is fastened.
11.2.2.4.5.5* Handrails should include one of the following features: (1) Circular cross section with an outside diameter of not less than 1-1/4 in. (32mm) and not more than 2 in. (51mm).
11.2.2.4.5.6 Handrails shall be continuously graspable along their entire length.
11.2.2.4.5.7 Handrail brackets or balusters attached to the bottom surface of the handrail shall not be considered to be obstructions to graspability, provided that the following criteria are met:
(1) They do not project horizontally beyond the sides of the handrail within a vertical clearance of 1-1/2 in. (38mm) of the bottom surface of the handrail.
(2) For each 1/2 in. (13mm) of additional handrail perimeter dimension greater than 4 in. (100mm), the vertical clearance dimension of 1-1/2 in. (38mm) is permitted to be reduced by 1/8 in. (3.2mm)
(3) They have edges with a radius of not less than 0.01 in. (0.25).
(4) They obstruct not in excess of 20 percent of the handrail length if the graspable perimeter dimension is less than 5-1/2 in. (140mm). | 
