Table 5.11 – Aisle Stairs and Ramps in Assembly Areas
Current Guidelines:  
4.1.3  Accessible Buildings: New Construction.  Accessible buildings and facilities shall meet the following minimum requirements: . . . 

(4)  Interior and exterior stairs connecting levels that are not connected by an elevator, ramp, or other accessible means of vertical access shall comply with 4.9.

4.9.4  Handrails.  Stairways shall have handrails at both sides of all stairs.  Handrails shall comply with 4.26 and shall have the following features:

(1)  Handrails shall be continuous along both sides of stairs. . . .

(2)  If handrails are not continuous, they shall extend at least 12 in (305 mm) beyond the top riser and at least 12 in (305 mm) plus the width of one thread beyond the bottom riser. . . .

4.8.1  General.  Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1:20 shall be considered a ramp and shall comply with 4.8.

4.8.5  Handrails.  If a ramp run has a rise greater than 6 in (150 mm) or a horizontal projection greater than 72 in (150 mm), than it shall have handrails on both sides.  Handrails are not required on curb ramps or adjacent to seating in assembly areas.  Handrails shall comply with 4.26 and shall have the following features:

(1)  Handrails shall be provided along both sides of ramp segments. . . .

(2)  If handrails are not continuous, they shall extend at least 12 in (305 mm) beyond the top and bottom of the ramp segment and shall be parallel with the floor or ground surface (see Fig. 17). . . .
Final Revised Guidelines:  
210.1  General.  Interior and exterior stairs that are part of a means of egress shall comply with 504.
Exceptions: . . .
3. In assembly areas, aisle stairs shall not be required to comply with 504.

[Note: Section 504 requires stairs to have handrails complying with 505.]

405.1  General.  Ramps on accessible routes shall comply with 405.
Exception:  In assembly areas, aisle ramps adjacent to seating and not serving elements required to be on an accessible route shall not be required to comply with 405.

405.8  Handrails.  Ramp runs with a rise greater than 6 inches (150 mm) shall have handrails complying with 505.

505.2  Where Required.  Handrails shall be provided on both sides of stairs and ramps.
Exception:  In assembly areas, handrails shall not be required on both sides of aisle ramps where a handrail is provided at either side or within the aisle width.

505.3  Continuity.  Handrails shall be continuous within the full length of each stair flight or ramp run. . . . .
Exception:  In assembly areas, handrails on ramps shall not be required to be continuous in aisles serving seating.

505.10  Handrail Extensions.  Handrail gripping surfaces shall extend beyond and in the same direction of stair flights and ramp runs in accordance with 505.10.
Exceptions: . . . 
2.  In assembly areas, extensions shall not be required for ramp handrails in aisles serving seating where the handrails are discontinuous to provide access to seating and to permit crossovers within aisles. . . .
Model Codes & Standards
ICC/ANSI A117.1-1998:  Sections 505.2, 505.3, and 505.10 have equivalent exceptions for aisle ramps in assembly areas with respect to handrail location, continuity, and extensions.