Any time you are dealing with a safety issue, codes are usually very specific especially on hand rails. The most important thing with hand rails is fastening into something solid such as wall studs. Also, blocking is often placed in the wall when being built to provide solid backing for the hand rail brackets. Failing that you must find studs to fasten to. Use a simple stud finder for this.
Sizes, spans, heights can vary from one region to another.
If you have solid backing and strong brackets, we use a rule of thumb of 1 bracket every 4 feet, so in 14 feet we would pace 1 bracket 1 foot in at each end and then 4 feet spacing.
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Bart Blainey, B.E.R.
Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter
Building Envelope Specialist
Master Renovator
provip@prodeck.org
http://www.prodeck.orgBarton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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