History of handrails

Does anyone know what code started requiring handrails returning into wall or newel posts?

Handrail Return Requirements - Aluminum Handrail Direct.

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Earliest IRC I have is 2000. (there is only one before that 1997) Anyway it was required in 2000 (R315.1); 2003 & 2006 (R311.5.6.2); 2009 (R311.7.8.2); 2012.2015, 2018 (R311.7.8.4)

Prior to the first IRC in1997 There were 4 separate code authorities depending on your geographic location in the US. These combined in the 90s to create the ICC.

This is not something I generally call out. It could be written up as a safety recommendation, but most of my homes are older than twenty years.

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Just for a hoot, here is an excerpt from the 1967 UBC (universal building code)

REMEMBER: Codes are heavily modified, edited and annotated by the jurisdiction that adopts them.

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This from the 1975 BOCA: Again returned handrails, but look all the way down to the last included line.

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No doubt, just be happy there is a handrail.