We live in an apartment building, more then a two family unit. We are up grade and the construction was done such that to exit the building you must go down a flight of stairs, with seven risers. The stairs are concrete and while outside the building the are attached to the building. The stairs conclude at the sidewalk, which when crossed brings you to the street. 1975 BOCA codes apply. The landlord states that he does not have to put a handrail on the stairway or to have the stairs lighted at night....it's very dark. He stated that the stairway is part of the sidewalk and hence he does not have to follow building code in reference to handrails or lights. Is he correct? We are old, my husband and the stairs are starting to concern us. Thank you so very much to anyone who can help me with this question.
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Help, please.....
- Thread starter oldred
- Start date
steveray
SAWHORSE
You may want to contact your local fire marshal...they may be the Authority Having Jurisdiction on existing buildings and maintainence of egress.....
When are stairways part of the sidewalk?
Help, please.....
We live in an apartment building, more then a two family unit. We are up grade and the construction was done such that to exit the building you must go down a flight of stairs, with seven risers. The stairs are concrete and while outside the building the are attached to the building. The stairs conclude at the sidewalk, which when crossed brings you to the street. 1975 BOCA codes apply. The landlord states that he does not have to put a handrail on the stairway or to have the stairs lighted at night....it's very dark. He stated that the stairway is part of the sidewalk and hence he does not have to follow building code in reference to handrails or lights. Is he correct? We are old, my husband and the stairs are starting to concern us. Thank you so very much to anyone who can help me with this question.
Help, please.....
We live in an apartment building, more then a two family unit. We are up grade and the construction was done such that to exit the building you must go down a flight of stairs, with seven risers. The stairs are concrete and while outside the building the are attached to the building. The stairs conclude at the sidewalk, which when crossed brings you to the street. 1975 BOCA codes apply. The landlord states that he does not have to put a handrail on the stairway or to have the stairs lighted at night....it's very dark. He stated that the stairway is part of the sidewalk and hence he does not have to follow building code in reference to handrails or lights. Is he correct? We are old, my husband and the stairs are starting to concern us. Thank you so very much to anyone who can help me with this question.
north star
Sawhorse
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2009
- Messages
- 4,596
= = =
oldred,
1st, ...Welcome to The Building Codes Forum !
2nd, ...Suggest that you contact someone within your jurisdiction
who is charge of hazardous conditions [ i.e. - your local Fire Dept.,
...Building Official, ...city or county administrator, ...city or county
elected representatives ], or regarding Property Maintenance issues.
FWIW, ...keep on asking until you get a satisfactory answer /
resolution.
3rd, ...let us know how things turn out, or if we can assist you in
another way.
= = =
oldred,
1st, ...Welcome to The Building Codes Forum !
2nd, ...Suggest that you contact someone within your jurisdiction
who is charge of hazardous conditions [ i.e. - your local Fire Dept.,
...Building Official, ...city or county administrator, ...city or county
elected representatives ], or regarding Property Maintenance issues.
FWIW, ...keep on asking until you get a satisfactory answer /
resolution.
3rd, ...let us know how things turn out, or if we can assist you in
another way.
= = =
jpranch
Platinum Member
Stay on their case but do it politely if at all possible. If you need an expert believe me that the Commonwealth of Virginia has them! If you would like to send me a private message on your town location I may be able to put you in touch with someone that can help. I know the old BOCA Code. They are wrong.
mtlogcabin
SAWHORSE
I bet under ADA or Fair Housing he does
IFC 4604 is retroactive and applies to existing buildings
4604.5 Illumination emergency power.
The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premises' electrical supply. In the event of power supply failure, illumination shall be automatically provided from an emergency system for the following occupancies where such occupancies require two or more means of egress :
jpranch
Platinum Member
2012 International Building Code:
3401.5 Dangerous conditions.The building official shall have the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.
I can see applying this.
3401.5 Dangerous conditions.The building official shall have the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.
I can see applying this.
I would also try the ADA route. Start with asking the local building department the question about ADA access requirements. If the response is not satisfactory follow up with a question to the state agency responsible for ADA enforcement. You can always try the Department of Justice if nothing else works.
Gregg Harris
Saw Horse
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2012
- Messages
- 934
Where are you in Va?
mark handler
SAWHORSE
The ADA does not cover residential private apartments and homes.
I doubt the federal Fair housing would get involved but you can try
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/housing_discrimination
I doubt the federal Fair housing would get involved but you can try
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/housing_discrimination
mark handler
SAWHORSE
Contact the Virginia STATE BUILDING CODE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD (SBCTRB)
http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/index.php/va-building-codes/building-and-fire-codes/appeals.html
http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/index.php/va-building-codes/building-and-fire-codes/appeals.html
jpranch
Platinum Member
Thanks Mark. What was I thinking??? I'll delete my post. Thanks again.mark handler said:
mark handler
SAWHORSE
We are all here to learn, well most of us....jpranch said:
I learn more than I convey
mtlogcabin
SAWHORSE
I envisioned a common stair serving multiple units on an upper level, not a single unit
jpranch
Platinum Member
oldred, check your private messages. I have a contact for you that may help.
Frank
Registered User
Contact your local building inspections office property maintnancce or existing structures division.
Handrails are required by section 307 of the property maintenance code when there is more than 4 risers.
402.2 requires lighting for common stairs.
email me your location and I can get you the contact info for your locality cas13@co.henrico.va.us
Handrails are required by section 307 of the property maintenance code when there is more than 4 risers.
402.2 requires lighting for common stairs.
email me your location and I can get you the contact info for your locality cas13@co.henrico.va.us
jpranch
Platinum Member
Already done. I talked to their local Building Official this morning. Not sure if oldred has called yet or had a chance to get on the computer to check messages.Frank said: