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32" wide stairway

N

NH09

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Joined
Sep 11, 2010
Messages
153
Location
New Hampshire
I have a contractor in town who built two 32" wide stairways off a new deck. I believe the code (2009 IRC) is clear that they need to be 36" wide min. Is anyone out there aware of any exceptions?
 
Where are you measuring the 32"? R311.5 indicates the handrails can encroach on the 36" down to 31.5" with a hand rail on one side and 27" if installed on both sides and the width can be that from the hand rail down. If this is a deck access I would assume it has 36"+ above the handrails.

I'm a builder, not an inspector so please correct me if I'm not reading this right.
 
Good point R.E., if the handrail(s) provided serves as the top of the guard, then you get down to 27" below the handrails.
 
Thanks fat.. I agree.. the treads only have to be 27". the 36" is measured at handrail height.

Won't work, of course, in an enclosed stairway, but outside.. probably good.. (unless you have really thick smog).
 
Excellent points, I'm going to check R311.5 again - if I remember correctly the example they use is an interior stairway. This is a vinyl post to post system and the 32" is measured in between the handrail/baluster assemblys. Tread width is about 32" and it is open above the handrails (no smog but lots of mosquitos).
 
Just an update here, I researched figure R311.7.1 (09' IRC Code and Commentary) and it does appear show an area under the handrail that can be reduced as far as 27". However there are differing opinions here in the department and further discussion will be necessary. In the interest of moving things along it was decided that the contractor can barricade the stairways and provide a letter to the town stating the stairways are ornamental and will not be used for egress. The unit already has egress in another part of the building so the access off the deck is not required. I am starting to really see the value of using this board, thanks to all those who replied.
 
I have had trouble in the past getting others to understand that some stairs are not required to be 36" wide. Glad to see others are recognizing it too.

NH09....told you you would love it! Glad to see you are seeing the value of our group.

Pass the word to others....
 
"Stairway" is the area above the required handrail height and below the required ceiling height. A set of stairs from a deck have an unlimited stairway width.
 
I would still think that you would want to keep that 27" minimum width.. otherwise the stairway starts to get very narrow-
 
I've told this before I believe, but it gave me pause. I rebuilt a deck and stairs some years ago for an old disabled WWII vet. The ledger of the old deck let go while I was on it working, luckily my helper could have been named Sampson. Anyway, the stairs were narrow. He could stiffarm his way down them pretty well. When we replaced them with a new compliant set, complete with rain cover, midheight landing, and hell for stout by comparison, he never used them again.
 
NH09--" However there are differing opinions here in the department and further discussion will be necessary." Please share with us what those contrary opinions are and the basis for them.
 
When in doubt, quote the code:

R311.7 Stairways.

R311.7.1 Width. Stairways shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height. Handrails shall not project more than 4.5 inches (114 mm) on either side of the stairway and the minimum clear width of the stairway at and below the handrail height, including treads and landings, shall not be less than 311/2 inches (787 mm) where a handrail is installed on one side and 27 inches (698 mm) where handrails are provided on both sides. (emphasis added for dramatic effect. For the record, I don't like it but it is what it is...)
 
JBI,

Sorry for the lapse, the next rendition of an old coon hunting story will require both sides of a big chief pad :) .
 
How can anyone have a different opinion on JBI's code quote. It is extremely clear.

Also, the "effect" was very dramatic...very dramatic!
 
Robert Ellenberg said:
NH09--" However there are differing opinions here in the department and further discussion will be necessary." Please share with us what those contrary opinions are and the basis for them.
Click to expand...
Initially it was interpreted that the stairway width, both below and above the handrail needed to be 36" minimum, with the exception that the handrails could protrude into that space. After consulting others on this forum, as well as revisiting the code section the answer is clear, and no further discussion is necessary.
 
I worked for a jurisdiction where an inspector made the contractor rip out a set of stairs because of the width (measured at the treads).. it was a huge hardship for the owner and contractor and wasn't necessary... the same inspector tried to get me in trouble because I approved an exterior set of stairs "because they were too narrow" .. 32" treads.. 2 handrails.. air above... No issue.. until he tried to make an issue.
 
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