Broken staircase railing - incorrectly installed?

[Johan ES]

Some time ago I was on my way down the stairs (indoors) in my condominium. I managed to slip on one of the last steps, and to break the fall, I grabbed the handrail with my right hand. Half a second later, I found myself, somewhat surprised, sitting on my bottom on the stairs, having torn the entire rail from the wall. The handrail is about a meter long and only mounted with two drywall anchors in the double plasterboard wall (26 mm?). The apartment was built in 2006, and I might add that I only weigh 75 kg.

Without knowing better, I think the mounting of the rail seems very underdimensioned.

My question is what are the requirements for a handrail in terms of strength, etc.? I would appreciate having a bit more information before discussing this with the association.

Some pictures (click to see larger):


/Johan ES

 

[haavard]

I don't think the association has any responsibility. However, perhaps it can help you in the "match" against the builder?

 

[TummenMittI]

Apparently, the attachments (2 pcs?) in the gypsum board are inadequate. A continuous load weakens the attachments. Increasing the number of attachments is an option but will likely not look reasonable. An alternative is to reinforce the gypsum board with a particle board, which is glued/screwed (with a larger number) to the gypsum board. The particle board, which doesn't need to be significantly larger than the stair railing, will then serve as the base and attachment for the stair railing.
Best regards, TMI

 

[snuttjulle]

Isn't it better to attach the railing to studs or ensure there are noggings to attach the railing to? In the house I grew up in, one of the brackets was in the "wrong" place so it pulled out the plaster one too many times. It ended with a large heart-shaped towel hanger being made on the other side of the wall which was a bathroom, and the railing then had a stable base to be attached to.