• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

2018 NJ IBC - 3" threshold for weather on residential balcony in mixed use building??

nickedemus

REGISTERED
Joined
Dec 16, 2020
Messages
42
Location
New Jersey
We have a small mixed-use building with 2 retail units on the ground floor, 3 commercial units on the second floor, and three residential units on the third floor. The residential units are not required to be accessible.

Each residential unit has a door opening onto a private terrace. We'd like to have a 3" step down from the residential units to prevent rain and snow from running from the terrace into the residence.

3" doesn't meet ADA/ICC A117.1 threshold requirements, and it's lower than the 4" minimum tread height for a step. But for some reason, I think it's ok....

Is there anywhere in the code that permits a "weather threshold?"

Or is this a non-issue because the units are not required to be accessible, and the terraces are not a part of the egress path?
 
If the units are not required to be accessible, then ANSI A117.1 does not apply.

Refer to Section 1003.5, Exception 1 (2018 IBC), or Section 1010.1.4, Exception 2 (2021 IBC), regarding step height.
 
Back
Top