Final answer:
Egress stairways must have handrails on both sides for safe evacuation, and these must be continuous throughout the length of the stairway, including the full run of each flight without interruptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Egress stairways are an essential aspect of building safety, facilitating the safe and efficient evacuation of occupants in the event of an emergency. In accordance with safety regulations, handrails must be installed on egress stairways to ensure the safety of individuals as they navigate through different levels of a building. Handrails must be placed on both sides of the staircase to aid in balance and prevent falls, especially during hurried movements that can occur during evacuations.
When visualizing a building with a circular staircase, as you follow the circular staircase upward or downward, you should be able to find handrails consistently available at a comfortable height on both sides of the stairs to support egress. While the specifics of the placement and number of handrails can be influenced by local building codes and regulations, it is typically mandated for handrails to be continuous throughout the length of the stairway, including the full run of each flight with no interruptions.