Outdoor stair railing - help

[Chevron Guy]

Thinking about using a 1inch x 10 ft piece of threaded galvanized sch 40 pipe as a stair railing. Add 2 - 90 degree elbows and 2 - 5 ft legs cemented 2 ft into the ground. Seems to be almost 2 simple. My concerns are:
Will there be sag or flex is that 10 ft run?
Should I go to 1 1/4 inch in diameter?
Can you bend sch 40 galvanized pipe?
Would it be better to go with 2 - 5 ft sections by adding a "T" and a 3rd leg in the center?
Do they make sch 40 gal.galvanized pipe in sections longer than 10 ft. (It's all H.D. and Loews had)?

Appreciate your thoughts, Thanks!

 

[Jeff Ivers]

I assume this railing, if for stairs, will be at some angle to the ground? If so, what fittings will you use to have the supports perpendicular to the ground? Or, are you planning on welding the uprights on? I have heard that welding galvanized releases poisonous gases.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, I think 1" pipe is too small a diameter to meet the current requirements for a hand rail. If I were to install a handrail made from pipe, I would use 1.25" pipe. I am not a professional, so my opinions are guaranteed to be worth exactly what you have paid me for them.

As I recall, plumbing supply houses stock Schedule 40 pipe in 20' lengths. Professionally welded handrails, in my opinion fit better and are more attractive than something cobbled together from pipe and fittings.

Setting your supports in concrete is a good move.



I would use a center support on any lengthy hand rail.

 

[Chevron Guy]

I'm waiting on estimates from 2 different iron workers. But with a few 90 degree fittings and a couple of ******* I can adjust to get parrallel to the stairs. At the end of the day, I'll compare my process that will run around a $100, to what the pros want with their enhanced quality.

 

[pmiranda]

I thought hand rails were supposed to be 2.25" dia but I've seen alot of 2"
I would definitely put a support in the middle since even sch40 will bow a bit, which you don't want.

 

[harley jim]

I buy round tube in 20 ft leingh from siskin steel. You can buy round bends from King architectural cut pieces to fit the radius you need and weld all together.
10 ft is too long of a run it will need a leg in the middle. If this is a private shop you are ok I guess.If its public there are guidelines you need to follow, I had to build to OSHA standards.
I had a hydraulic bender to do my radius bends.Since I retired I do most everything in square tube.
Look at my page I am building a set now

Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Joemctag]

1” pipe is about 1 5/16” o.d. and meets code for being a grab-able size as does the commonly-used 1 1/4 pipe ( about 1 11/16” o.d. ).
Neither will span 10’, but 5’ should be ok. You’ll be able to flex the 1” some if you wanted but it’ll be ok.
You would need someone with a hydraulic bender or a roller to bend more than say 15 degrees without kinking. Those tools support the sides I of the pipe.
Steel supply places and plumbing supplies have pipe in 21’ lengths.
I’ve fabricated and erected lots of welded pipe rails and think it’s great that you’re doing it like was done up thru the 60s. Hey, the industrial look is “in”.
If you paint it, remove any oil, wash with vinegar to etch and use a WATER-BASED primer followed by oil or water topcoat. Oil-based directly on the zinc de-laminates; it just takes several years.
Good luck!

 

[welderjosh]

We build miles of handrail at work. 5' on centers for supports is standard. 1-1/4" sch 40 pipe makes up about 80% of it with 1-1/2" sch 40 being the balance. We have never made any from 1" even though it may technically pass the ADA with enough supports.

 

[Chevron Guy]

Thanks to all for the advice. Will go with 1.25. Will check with local plumbing supply to see if they can put a 22.5 degree bend at the 18 inch mark of each 6.5 foot piece. Hopefully they can thread as well. Will use 3 legs to support, hopeing heavy duty rail brackets will hold off the 1.25 inch rail (kinda heavy) from the posts. Figure to bolt them thru the posts. Ah heck, it's a home project, s/b fun.....

 

[welderjosh]

If you don't mind a little distortion in the tube any commercial electrical contractor should be able to put that bend in it and do the threading as well. Just more options for you.

 

[Mirage]

Lowes carry a structural pipe called SteelTek that has a big variety of fittings and flanges in 3/4" and 1 1/4". I built this one when we bought our house and was told by state farm they wouldn't underwrite the insurance without a handrail. My agent told me to just throw up some 2x4s but I did this with galvanized pipe and vht black epoxy paint.

2 90*s and a ****** to get the angle I needed with a pass through T in the middle.

 

[BillK]

Believe it or not I made a short rail out of exhaust pipe. I think its 2 1/4" ? Its only for 3 steps going into my house from my garage. Had one of my customers at an exhaust shop bend it for me. I welded a flange on each end. One end goes to a wall the other to the floor. Its actually very sturdy and looks nice. I will post a picture later on when I get home.

Not sure how it would be in a 10' length but I bet it would be pretty decent.

 

[Chevron Guy]

Mirage - I like that! Will check out what our Loews has, thanks!