h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Handrail - A2212688
Author: FloridaSailor - wereshark - U235886

Here is a bit about somthing I deal with in RL, let me know what you think.

I quite often learn things on H2G2 in unexpected places, today I had another example.

" In multi story buildings the inside grip rails should be continuous so the a person can find their way out by feel if their vision is impaired by smoke or a power failure. They must terminate on the floor where there is access to the outside so nobody can accidentally find themselves trapped in a basement."

I never knew this - this could be described as a basic piece of safety knowledge, but I never knew that if I follwed an inside rail down a stairwell it would be continuous until I reached a floor I could exit on.

My only suggested inprovement would be to the title - at least make it plural.



As regards the skaeboard option - How about using a figure of a unicorn as a newell decoration at the bottom - facing inwards with a horn about 3 feet long.

I also think the title would be better in the plural.

I have a small suggestion for consideration. In the section on guardrailing, it might be worth saying that vertical rails are usually preferred to horizontal ones for safety reasons, as horizontal ones could act as rungs on a ladder, so that children, for instance, might feel encouraged to climb over.

How could we possibly consider ourselves a guide to life, the universe, and everything without an entry on handrails? Surely this is a hole that needs filling.

If I was to have a problem with this entry it would be that the tone is a little too serious. But that may just be me. Though don't suppose it's possible to 'sex up' handrails. Oh well.

A subject that is definately worthy of a place in the Guide. Nicely done, too.


Geggs

Added the 's' to the tittle, in my world it is generally understood that 'handrail' cover all the types required I understand that the plural reads better to others. I have added a bit to horizontal rails about how they can be used as ladders, a very valid point that I have used in past meetings but slipped my mind in the entry.

I will consider adding a bit of humor, but at the moment it doesn't come to me, although I do have some funny handrail stories.

F S

Good entry, in the proud hootoo tradition of writing about things that other sites wouldn't consider covering!

One little comment - even before skateboards were invented, people have been sliding down stair handrails on their backsides. Looks cool if you can do it with style, but I presume it's fairly dangerous, hence the apparition of little balls on the end of most the tempting rails.



sprout

Great entry FS

sprout: you'd look particularly cool if you slide down bannisters riding sidesaddle, so to speak, rather than legs akimbo. It's also a lot safer doing it sidesaddle

Frenchbean

Got to be side saddle so you can jump off at the bottom - legs akimbo is just asking for trouble.

sprout

Neat entry FS

The entry neglects to mention the alternative names: bannisters or balustrades. Having perused their definitions it is apparent that these refer to the whole barrier or vertical part of it, while handrail is specifically the horizontal / constant height element. Julie Andrews slid up the bannister in Mary Poppins. Unfortunately handrails do not appear to have a geek site like soup which detail their appearance in movies.(http://www.soupsong.com/imovies.html)

banister also bannister n.

>A handrail, especially on a staircase.
Such a handrail together with its supporting structures.
>One of the vertical supports of a handrail; a baluster.

baluster n.

>One of the upright, usually rounded or vase-shaped supports of a balustrade.
>An upright support, such as a furniture leg, having a similar shape.
One of the supporting posts of a handrail.

balustrade n. [F. balustrade, It. balaustrata fr. balaustro. See Baluster.]
>A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building

typo near the end: toped > topped

Pimmsaloonie

How's this coming on?

I intend to get an update done this weekend, RL has just been a hit hectic the last month.

F S

Updated at last!

Added a whole section on balustrades and banisters, and even put in a movie reference for Pimms.

I also added a bit more to building codes, I have been busy getting a new hotel ready for its C. O. so it was on my mind

F S

Thanks FS

Pimms
(I prefer bannister to banister, but that might just be me)

(I prefer bannister to banister, but that might just be me)

Just checked and Merriam-Webster says banister is preferred, my US based spell checker recognizes both. Could it be a US-UK difference? If so the UK preference must prevail here, anyone want to check an OED for me, please

F S

Your Guide Entry has just been picked from Peer Review by one of our Scouts, and is now heading off into the Editorial Process, which ends with publication in the Edited Guide. We've therefore moved this Review Conversation out of Peer Review and to the entry itself.

If you'd like to know what happens now, check out the page on 'What Happens after your Entry has been Recommended?' at EditedGuide-Process. We hope this explains everything.

Thanks for contributing to the Edited Guide!

Good stuff!

sprout

Great news!

Well I'll go to the foot of my stairs (sliding elegantly sdown the bannister)

Well Done

Congratulations.

Earlier I said that Guide was emptier for the lack of an entry on handrails.

Now it is not.


Geggs

Thank you all

Have a or and a slice of on me.

F S