Visual Interpretation of The: Tair Uilding ODE
Visual Interpretation of The: Tair Uilding ODE
Visual Interpretation of The: Tair Uilding ODE
I N T E R NAT I O NAL
R ESIDENTIAL
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and respected for our responsible efforts at code reform and interpretation in addition to our trade
and industry experience that we bring to the table. This experience and reputation is an asset to our
continued efforts to provide safe stairways and reduce stairway accidents while allowing freedom of
design, and aesthetic properties of preference.
In addition to our experience in the code development process we use the commentaries published
by the International Code Council as a resource for each visual interpretation.
The SMA wishes to thank the ICC for their permission to print portions of the IRC and in full
recognition of our responsibility to educate and inform we invite your feedback and comments.
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SECTION R311.5 STAIRWAYS
R311.5.1 Width.
Stairways shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in ”
clear width at all points above the permitted handrail 4-1/2 MAXIMUM
height and below the required headroom height. HANDRAIL
PHOTO 1. Handrails shall not project more than 4.5 PROJECTION
inches (114 mm) on either side of the stairway PHOTO
2 and the minimum clear width of the stairway at and
below the handrail height, including treads and landings,
shall not be less than 31.5 inches (787 mm) where a
handrail is installed on one side and 27 inches (698 mm)
where handrails are provided on both sides PHOTO 3.
2'-3"
4 1/2" TWO HANDRAILS- 4 1/2"
MINIMUM 27”
ONE HANDRAIL-
MINIMUM 31-1/2”
2'-7 1/2"
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 3
Stairway Manufacturers’ Association Interpretation of IRC 2006 • www.stairways.org • Page No. 3
R311.5.2 Headroom.
The minimum headroom in all parts of the stairway
shall not be less than 6 feet, 8 inches (2036 mm)
measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining
the tread nosing PHOTO 4 or from the floor surface
of the landing or platform. PHOTO 5.
MINIMUM
HEADROOM
6’-8”
MINIMUM
HEADROOM
6’-8”
PHOTO 5
PHOTO 4
PHOTO 8
10”
PHOTO 6
12”
12”
DRAWING 11
DRAWING 10
WINDER - A tread with non-parallel edges (as defined in Chapter 2 - IRC, IBC).
PHOTO 12 PHOTO 16
TREAD OVERHANG
MINIMUM = 3/4”
MAXIMUM = 1-1/4” MODIFIED TO
MAXIMUM 4”
NOTE: SEE OPENING
EXCEPTION 1 ABOVE
MAXIMUM 4”
PHOTO 13 OPENING
NOSING PROJECTION
MAY NOT VARY MORE
THAN 3/8”
PHOTO 14 PHOTO 17
Stairway Manufacturers’ Association Interpretation of IRC 2006 • www.stairways.org • Page No. 7
R311.5.4 Landings for Stairways. R311.5.5 Stairway walking surface.
There shall be a floor or landing at the top and The walking surface of treads and landings of
bottom of each stairway. stairways shall be sloped no steeper than one unit
vertical in 48 inches horizontal (2-percent slope).
Exception: A floor or landing is not required at PHOTO 19.
the top of an interior flight of stairs,
including stairs in an enclosed garage, NOT MORE THAN 1 UNIT VERTICAL IN
provided a door does not swing over 48 UNITS HORIZONTAL (2% SLOPE)
the stairs.
2%
A flight of stairs shall not have a vertical rise 2%
greater than 12 feet (3658 mm) between floor levels
or landings.
The width of each landing shall not be less than
the stairway served. Every landing shall have MAXIMUM SLOPE
a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 mm) 10” TREAD DEPTH + 1-1/4” NOSING = .2344”
measured in the direction of travel. DRAWING 18.
PHOTO 19
DRAWING 20
DIRECTION
OF R311.5.6.1 Height. Handrail
TRAVEL height, measured vertically from
the sloped plane adjoining the
tread nosing, or finish surface
MINIMUM MINIMUM of ramp slope, shall be not less
36” 36” than 34 inches (864 mm) and not
more than 38 inches (965 mm). RAKE RAIL
PHOTO 21. HEIGHT
DOWN UP
DRAWING 18 PHOTO 21
Stairway Manufacturers’ Association Interpretation of IRC 2006 • www.stairways.org • Page No. 8
R311.5.6.2 Continuity. Exceptions: 1. Handrails shall be permitted to be
Handrails for stairways shall be continuous for interrupted by a newel post at the turn.
the full length of the flight, from a point directly PHOTO 26.
above the top riser of the flight to a point directly
above lowest riser of the flight. DRAWING 22 2. The use of a volute, turnout, starting
and PHOTO 23. Handrail ends shall be returned easing or starting newel shall be allowed
PHOTO 24 or shall terminate in newel posts or over the lowest tread. PHOTO 27.
safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall
have a space of not less than 11⁄2 inches (38 mm) HANDRAIL MAY BE INTERRUPTED BY A NEWEL
between the wall and the handrails. PHOTO 25.
FLIGHT 2
HANDRAIL MUST
BE CONTINUOUS
PHOTO 26
FLIGHT 1
PHOTO 23
DRAWING 22 VOLUTES, TURNOUTS
AND STARTING EASINGS
ARE ALLOWED OVER
HANDRAIL THE LOWEST TREAD
ENDS SHALL BE STARTING
RETURNED EASING
1-1/2”
PHOTO 25
VOLUTE
STARTING NEWEL
PHOTO 27
Stairway Manufacturers’ Association Interpretation of IRC 2006 • www.stairways.org • Page No. 9
R311.5.6.3 Handrail grip size. 1. Type I. Handrails with a circular cross section
All required handrails shall be of one of the following shall have an outside diameter of at least 11⁄4 inches
types or provide equivalent graspability. DRAWING (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm).
28. PHOTO 29. If the handrail is not circular it shall
have a perimeter dimension of at least 4 inches (102
Profiles other than Type I and Type II may be determined mm) and not greater than 61⁄4 inches (160 mm) with a
to provide equivalent graspability. maximum cross section of dimension of 21⁄4 inches
(57 mm). PHOTO 30.
CIRCULAR
DIAMETER
MINIMUM 1-1/4”
MAXIMUM 2”
1-3/4”
PHOTO 29
NON-CIRCULAR
MAX 2-1/4”
METAL
MAX 2-1/4”
3-1/4”
3-5/8”
PERIMETER
MINIMUM 4”
PHOTO 30 MAXIMUM 6-1/4”
DRAWING 28
ACHIEVE 5/16”
} }
DEPTH 1-3/4”
FINGER CONTINUED FOR
RECESS AREA AT LEAST 3/8”
BOTH SIDES
TO A LEVEL NOT
LESS THAN 1-3/4”
PHOTO 31 PHOTO 33
R311.5.7 Illumination.
All stairs shall be provided with illumination in
accordance with Section R303.6.
DOWN
SECTION R312 GUARDS
COUNTER 26” R312.1 Guards.
CLOCKWISE MIN. Porches, balconies, ramps or raised floor surfaces
located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor
12” or grade below shall have guards not less than 36
inches (914 mm) in height. Open sides of stairs with a
total rise of more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the
floor or grade below shall have guards not less than
7-1/2” MIN. 34 inches (864 mm) in height measured vertically
TREAD WIDTH from the nosing of the treads. PHOTO 36.
BALCONY
GUARD GUARD
MINIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM 36”
HEADROOM 34”
6’-6”
IF TOTAL RISE
9-1/2” IS OVER 30”...
MAXIMUM
RISE
PHOTO 35 PHOTO 36
Stairway Manufacturers’ Association Interpretation of IRC 2006 • www.stairways.org • Page No. 12
R312.2 Guard opening limitations.
Required guards on open sides of stairways, raised MUST NOT
floor areas, balconies and porches shall have ALLOW
intermediate rails or ornamental closures which do PASSAGE OF
not allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) or 4-3/8” SPHERE
more in diameter. PHOTO 37.
MUST NOT
ALLOW
PASSAGE OF
6” SPHERE
MUST NOT
ALLOW
PASSAGE OF 4”
SPHERE
PHOTO 38
PHOTO 37
DEFINITIONS
R201.3 Terms Defined in other codes. Where terms are not defined in this code such terms shall have
meanings ascribed to them as in other code publications of the International Code Council.
Note: In order to assure a complete understanding in accordance with above we have listed all the stair
related definitions from both the IRC and the IBC (International Building Code).
IRC
Section R202 Definitions
GUARD. A building component or a system of building components located near the open sides of
elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to a lower
level.
HANDRAIL. A horizontal or sloping rail intended for grasping by the hand for guidance or support.
IBC
Section 1002 Definitions
ALTERNATING TREAD DEVICE. A device that has a series of steps between 50 and 70 degrees
(0.87 and 1.22 rad) from horizontal, usually attached to a center support rail in an alternating manner so
that the user does not have both feet on the same level at the same time.
GUARD. A building component or a system of building components located at or near the open sides
of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to a lower
level.
HANDRAIL. A horizontal or sloping rail intended for grasping by the hand for guidance or support.
NOSING. The leading edge of treads of stairs and of landings at the top of stairway flights.
SCISSOR STAIR. Two interlocking stairways providing two separate paths of egress located within
one stairwell enclosure.
STAIRWAY. One or more flights of stairs, either exterior or interior, with the necessary landings and
platforms connecting them, to form a continuous and uninterrupted passage from one level to another.
STAIRWAY, EXTERIOR. A stairway that is open on at least one side, except for required structural
columns, beams, handrails and guards. The adjoining open areas shall be either yards, courts or public
ways. The other sides of the exterior stairway need not be open.
STAIRWAY, SPIRAL. A stairway having a closed circular form in its plan view with uniform section-
shaped treads attached to and radiating from a minimum-diameter supporting column.
Instructions:
Position rail section with widest point of grip at line AB and left
edge touching line AC. Keeping horizontal axis of rail parallel to
line AB.
With the rail in position, it must pass tests 1) thru 5) to meet the
R315.2 Type II Handrail Grip Size requirements.
If profile is asymmetrical both sides must pass.
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