Tag Archive for ‘stair’
Stair Construction Tolerance and Dimensional Uniformity
The 2006 International Building Code calls out the tolerance for how consistent each stair tread and riser needs to be in a set of stairs. The code refers to it as dimensional uniformity. What the IBC states on stair tolerance is that the difference between the largest and smallest riser height and the largest and [...]
Slope on Stair Treads and Landings
I received an email today from an individual who’s contractor had built an exterior concrete stair for them. Each tread sloped 3/4″ down from back to front. I quickly emailed them back to let them know that isn’t up to code and in fact is quite dangerous. If those treads get wet or icy it [...]
Residential Stair Design – Guidelines, Criteria and Dimensions
I received a question about stair width from one of our clients and thought it made sense to clarify the typical stair design rules for houses. These are the rules that are in the 2006 International Residential Code. Stairways have to be at least 36″ clear width above the handrail height. Handrails can’t project more [...]
New Definitions of Stair and Stairway Under 2009 IRC
Under the 2009 International Residential Code, there are new definitions of Stair and Stairway. The new Stair definition is that it would have one or more risers and the new definition of Stairway is that it has one or more flights of stairs, interior or exterior, including landings and platforms. These new definitions also match what [...]
Handrail Extensions for Commercial Stairs
Handrail extensions are required for all commercial stairs. Handrails should return to a wall, guardrail or walking surface, or should be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight or ramp run. If handrails are not continuous, they should extend a minimum of 12 inches beyond the top riser, and a minimum of 12 [...]
Steep Stairs Are Allowed in Theater Assembly Aisles
In the International Building Code you are allowed to have a riser height of 7″ for most occupancies. However, it theater aisles you can get away with a lot more. Where the graident of the seating area matches the stair gradient you can go to an 8″ high riser allowing your stais to be 14% [...]
Commercial Ramp Design – Guidelines, Criteria and Dimensions
The 2006 International Building Code dictates the rules for ramps used in commercial buildings. The rules apply to most ramps in a building excepting ramped aisles in theaters, curb ramps and vehicle ramps in parking garages. The code also covers those conditions, but they have their own sections. The running slope (slope in the direction [...]
Pink Fog Studio Stairs – Open Riser Steel Stair With Oak Treads
Jim and I went by Pink Fog to inspect the steel connections on the stair to the loft. Due to existing conditions, we designed a stair that would avoid placing a post in front of a window. The design required both cantilevered upper floor framing and a cantilevered stringer. In order to make this work, [...]
Installing New Doors at an Exit Stair – Joy Burns Arena at the Ritchie Center
EVstudio has been hired to do a number of projects at the University of Denver both large and small. This one is the small task of adding some doors to the top of a stairway at the Joy Burns Arena. There are two tricks with adding doors to an existing exit stair. First you need [...]
Residential Spiral Stairs – Guidelines, Criteria and Dimensions
Spiral staircases may be an option for your residential applications where you can’t fit a conventional staircase. These are the rules from the 2006 International Residential Code. Spiral staircases have to be at least 26″ wide with each tread being at least 7.5″ deep when you’re 12″ in from the narrow end. The treads have [...]
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