How to inset stair rails?

[DzinEye]

10 minutes ago, Alaskan_Son said:

Here’s a question for anyone who truly sees nothing wrong with the inset rail:  How far back can it be inset?  Perfectly flush?  3”?  12”?  24”?  17 feet?  

You really got your undies in a bunch on this one don't ya?!    
Not sure anyone suggested there was nothing wrong with the inset... and I can't speak for anyone else but I suggested that with the right clearance above it, it might be considered acceptable by some inspectors.    This a good example of why codes sometimes need interpretation and why people are employed to do such interpretation.   

[Alaskan_Son]

3 hours ago, DzinEye said:

This a good example of why codes sometimes need interpretation and why people are employed to do such interpretation.   

 

Yes sir.  And some of those "people" you speak of are us -- general contractors, designers, architects, engineers, tradesmen...  We are paid to interpret code before it ever even gets to an inspector or plan reviewer, and then sometimes it falls on us to convince or even educate those guys.  We are really the primary interpreters though if you ask me.  Inspectors and plan reviewers are really just there to make sure we're doing our jobs.

[DraftPunk]

Two sources of information that suggest the answer is 3", though none of these are IBC / IRC.  Still, in the absence of actual code definition, some AHJs might accept alternate interpretations like these.  The ADA diagram touches on the "overhead projection" discussion in a fair straightforward way.  Give that a blind person might need to sweep their hand vertically to find the rail, any sharp-edged obstructions right above the rail seems like a good way to bruise your knuckles.  

California Building Code 2022 (Vol 1 & 2) > 11A Housing Accessibility > 1115A Exterior Stairways > 1115A.6 Exterior Stairway Handrails:
1115A.6.2.4 Handrail Projections

Handrails projecting from a wall shall have a space of 1¹/₂ inches (38.1 mm) minimum between the wall and the handrail.

Handrails may be located in a recess if the recess is a maximum of 3 inches (76.2 mm) deep and extends at least 18 inches (457 mm) above the top of the rail. Any wall or other surface adjacent to the handrail shall be free of sharp or abrasive elements. (See Figure 11A-6B.)

https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/1991-design-standards/#426-handrails-grab-bars-and-tub-and-shower-seats
Handrail. Handrail is mounted into a recessed section of a wall. The bottom of the recessed section is not more than 3 inches wide where the handrail is located. The recessed section shown extends vertically approximately 6 inches and then angles to a point on the flush wall a minimum of 18 inches (455 mm) above the grab bar. This profile is provided to permit grasping from a standing position. Spacing between handrail and the adjacent wall shall be 1- 1/2 inches (38 mm). Handrail shall be 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches diameter (32 - 38 mm). Support for the handrail is from below.

[CAmichael240114]

Here's how we can meet code in a recess in NZ