A handrail is a rail that is designed to be grasped by the hand so as to provide safety or support. In Britain, handrails are referred to as banisters. Handrails are commonly used while ascending or descending stairways and escalators in order to prevent injurious falls, and to provide bodily support in bathrooms or similar areas. Handrails are typically supported by balusters or attached to walls.
A modern handrail made of metal
A handrail may be fixed to the wall rather than being supported by balusters.
Termination of a handrail at the Museum of Natural History, Görlitz, Germany
18th century handrail in France
A stairwell or stair room is a room in a building where a stair is located, and is used to connect walkways between floors so that one can move in height. Collectively, a set of stairs and a stairwell is referred to as a staircase or stairway. In buildings with several housing units, a stairway can be a necessary common area for getting to and from apartments.
Stairway with skylight
Spiral staircase (double helix) in the Vatican Museums
Escape route via stairs with open steps
Model of the cupboard under the staircase where the character Harry Potter grew up