Stairs Residential Building Code for the United States
The Stairs- Residential Building Code for the U.S. is a municipal
regulation. Thus it varies by state and town.
Some jurisdictions base their legislation on the 2000 and
2003 International Residential Code (IRC). Other communities
seem to be still using the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC).
In all cases, each jurisdiction has amended the code to reflect
local concerns.. ie. flooding or earthquake prone areas.
It is absolutely essential that you
check with your local office as the following information
is only offered to suggest guidelines as to what issues and
answers you might expect related to the stairs-residential
building code... good luck! happy woodworking..
Nosing Extension:
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Code Requirements
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Maximum overhang for nosing is somewhere between 1 ¼"
& 1 ½". Some states legislate a minimum of ¾", including
floor and landings. |
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| Risers
& Runs: |
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Riser Height:
Maximum of between 7 ¾" & 8 ¼" (some states regulate
a minimum of 6")
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Run:
Minimum between 9-10" (not counting the part underneath
the "nosing" of the tread above). With a note that runs
of over 10 1/2" will usually require three balusters
per tread to comply with the 4" maximum opening between
spindles.
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| Variation in Rise & Run: |
Can only have a 3/8 inch difference
between the largest and the smallest rise and the largest
and smallest run. |
| Winder
and Spiral Stairs: |
| Winder Stairs: |
Stairways that turn a corner.
These treads are narrow on one end and wider at the other.
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| Spiral/Circular Stairs: |
Have their own regulations
that often stipulate the minimum width of around 6" at
the smallest end of pie shaped treads, and often specify
that a tread must be somewhere between 9-10" wide, measured
12 inches from the narrowest end. |
| Stairways
Width: |
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Stair Width:
Minimum 36" with a stipulation allowing a wall mounted
handrail to project from each side 3 ½"
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| General
Comments: |
| Where
you know your home is going to require a final inspection
from the Building Controls Department, a wise step, would
be to get all your products and installation methods preapproved
by this department. It costs less if you only have to
do it once!
Any railing installations that are
not standard (ie. as per code), must have an engineer's
stamp of approval for the local building controls office
to pass.
For those of you that are "only" rennovating,
you still need a building permit. If you decide to bypass
this obligation, remember the door you are leaving open,
if someone has an accident, involving a railing that
is NOT constructed to todays code. You will be liable!
We ALWAYS recommend that you build to current code.
MAKE it STRONG! MAKE it SAFE! check FIRST!
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to purchase Hardwood
Stairs link to our sister site
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4 Reasons why YOU should worry
about the Building Code:
1. Safety is #1
2. If you need an inspection to obtain an occupancy
permit, it must be to code.
3. Insurance companies have been known to force compliance
before issuing a new insurance policy.
4. Sale of your home can be blocked until conditions
of building code have been met.
We have had clients experience all of the above....
so do it right the first time.
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Products, specifications, and techniques shown
are meant as a guide to better understanding for the designer, builder,
and/or homeowner.
Owners of this site assume no liability for and
makes no claim to the suitability of any products or information
shown, other than to report history of usage, and sharing of knowledge
from others.
It is the sole responsibility of the owner or installer
to adequately test for product suitability and application method
for a particular installation.
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Stairs
