Is a stairlift allowable in a common stairway in an R-2 occupancy?

[DBDoug]

IBC 2015 Section 1011.2, Exception 3, reads in part: "Where a...stairway chairlift is installed on stairways serving occupancies in Group R-3, or within dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2, a clear passage width not less than 20 inches shall be provided". I'm assuming that the type of fold-down seat that rides up and down an inclined rail (advertised on late-night TV) is considered a "chairlift". The condition in question is a common stairway in an R-2 occupancy (condo bldg.), not within a unit. So because common stairways in R-2 occupancies are not mentioned, do I take that to mean that chairlifts aren't allowed in common stairways in R-2 occupancies?

 

[RLGA]

I would say yes under two conditions:

1. The stairway chairlift does not reduce the required capacity of the stairway (i.e., cannot reduce the width of the stairs to less than what is required).
2. Another handrail is provided between the chairlift path and the walkable portion of the stairway.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Only in the unit

 

[RLGA]

The IBC does not prohibit the use of chairlifts in stairways, but they do allow some relaxation of the width requirements when they are installed in Group R-3 occupancies and dwelling units of other residential occupancies. Although the quoted section addresses accessible means of egress, platform lifts (whether inclined or vertical) are limited by Chapter 11 in where they can be used as part of an accessible route. A chairlift would not be allowed to be part of an accessible route, even though it may help those with some mobility impairments.

If your current stairway width is 44 inches, then a chairlift/inclined platform lift would be impossible, because there would be no way to maintain the required 44-inch width with a lift in the way. The only practical application for such an installation would be if the stairway was way oversized for the intended occupant load.

 

[ccollings]

froma practical standpoint a chairlift doesn't work because it would require a wheelchair at the top & bottom of the stair to transfer into.

 

[RLGA]

froma practical standpoint a chairlift doesn't work because it would require a wheelchair at the top & bottom of the stair to transfer into.

Chairlifts are typically provided for those with mobility impairments that prevent them from climbing or descending stairs. Typically, chairlift users are ambulatory and do not normally need a wheelchair but may require a walker or cane for support.

Inclined platform lifts do allow wheelchair users to ride on the platform just like a normal vertical platform lift.

 

[DBDoug]

The IBC does not prohibit the use of chairlifts in stairways, but they do allow some relaxation of the width requirements when they are installed in Group R-3 occupancies and dwelling units of other residential occupancies. Although the quoted section addresses accessible means of egress, platform lifts (whether inclined or vertical) are limited by Chapter 11 in where they can be used as part of an accessible route. A chairlift would not be allowed to be part of an accessible route, even though it may help those with some mobility impairments.

If your current stairway width is 44 inches, then a chairlift/inclined platform lift would be impossible, because there would be no way to maintain the required 44-inch width with a lift in the way. The only practical application for such an installation would be if the stairway was way oversized for the intended occupant load.

Thanks! Is the correct interpretation then that in an R-3 occupancy, the clearance can be as little as 20", but in an R-2 occupancy, the clearance at the lift would need to be 36" (for occupant load less than 50)?

 

[steveray]

3. Where an incline platform lift or stairway chairlift is
installed on stairways serving occupancies in Group
R-3, or within dwelling units in occupancies in
Group R-2, a clear passage width not less than 20
inches (508 mm) shall be provided. Where the seat
and platform can be folded when not in use, the distance
shall be measured from the folded position.

 

[RLGA]

Thanks! Is the correct interpretation then that in an R-3 occupancy, the clearance can be as little as 20", but in an R-2 occupancy, the clearance at the lift would need to be 36" (for occupant load less than 50)?

Yes, within a Group R-3 or a Group R-2 dwelling unit, a clearance of 20 inches minimum is required. If the occupant load using the stairway is less than 50, then the minimum width that must be maintained is 36 inches per IBC Section 1011.2, Exception 1. If the existing stairway is wide enough to accommodate both the chairlift and the occupant load, then the handrail will need to be relocated so the users of the stairs have access to two handrails--one on each side, unobstructed by the chairlift at any point along its path.

 

[DBDoug]

Yes, within a Group R-3 or a Group R-2 dwelling unit, a clearance of 20 inches minimum is required. If the occupant load using the stairway is less than 50, then the minimum width that must be maintained is 36 inches per IBC Section 1011.2, Exception 1. If the existing stairway is wide enough to accommodate both the chairlift and the occupant load, then the handrail will need to be relocated so the users of the stairs have access to two handrails--one on each side, unobstructed by the chairlift at any point along its path.

Perfect-thanks RLGA. Good additional info on the handrail. I'm trying to picture that in my head. The only way that's going to happen is to have the handrail that's at the lift side be mounted not to the wall, but on uprights, mounted at the treads, beyond the clearance needed for the lift and rider, right? The stairway width needed would be the width recommended by the lift manufacturer for lift and rider, then a few inches for a tread-mounted pipe rail, then 36" for the clearance required by IBC? Pretty wide stairway - probably 6 feet wide. If that interpretation is correct, then existing conditions that would allow retrofitting of a stair lift in a common exit stair in an R-2 occupancy would be very rare.

 

[classicT]

Perfect-thanks RLGA. Good additional info on the handrail. I'm trying to picture that in my head. The only way that's going to happen is to have the handrail that's at the lift side be mounted not to the wall, but on uprights, mounted at the treads, beyond the clearance needed for the lift and rider, right? The stairway width needed would be the width recommended by the lift manufacturer for lift and rider, then a few inches for a tread-mounted pipe rail, then 36" for the clearance required by IBC? Pretty wide stairway - probably 6 feet wide. If that interpretation is correct, then existing conditions that would allow retrofitting of a stair lift in a common exit stair in an R-2 occupancy would be very rare.

Exactly!

 

[RLGA]

Perfect-thanks RLGA. Good additional info on the handrail. I'm trying to picture that in my head. The only way that's going to happen is to have the handrail that's at the lift side be mounted not to the wall, but on uprights, mounted at the treads, beyond the clearance needed for the lift and rider, right? The stairway width needed would be the width recommended by the lift manufacturer for lift and rider, then a few inches for a tread-mounted pipe rail, then 36" for the clearance required by IBC? Pretty wide stairway - probably 6 feet wide. If that interpretation is correct, then existing conditions that would allow retrofitting of a stair lift in a common exit stair in an R-2 occupancy would be very rare.

Yes, except that the 36-inch width is measured above the handrails, so the handrails can project into the 36 inches by 4-1/2 inches on each side or 9 inches overall, which means only 27 inches minimum clear between handrails, but the 4-1/2 inches above the handrail must be clear of any obstructions.