2019 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2020 with July 1, 2021 amendments)

11B-407.4.10 Support rail.

Support rails shall be provided on at least one wall of the car.

Advisory 11B-407.4.10 Support rail. Support rails in elevator cabs are used in a different way than handrails along a walking surface such as a ramp or stairway. Support rails in elevator cabs are required to comply with the requirements of this section, not the requirements for handrails on walking surfaces. ◼

11B-407.4.10.1 Location.

Clearance between support rails and adjacent surfaces shall be 1½ inches (38 mm) minimum. Top of support rails shall be 31 inches (787 mm) minimum to 33 inches (838 mm) maximum above the floor of the car. The ends of the support rail shall be 6 inches (152 mm) maximum from adjacent walls.

11B-407.4.10.2 Surfaces.

Support rails shall be smooth and any surface adjacent to them shall be free of sharp or abrasive elements.

11B-407.4.10.3 Structural strength.

Allowable stresses shall not be exceeded for materials used when a vertical or horizontal force of 250 pounds (1112 N) is applied at any point on the support rail, fastener, mounting device, or supporting structure.