Mr. Inspector
SAWHORSE
I am inspecting what looks like a mother-in-law apartment being built above an attached garage. This was an existing empty space above the garage. They don't want a landing on top of the stairway that goes to this space.. The stairway is being built in the garage but will have a wall built separating it from the garage so I am not positive if this makes the stairway not in the garage. There will be an exterior door, a door to the garage and a door to the rest of the house at this stairway bottom landing. The house/garage separation will comply to code. This stairway is the only way to get in and out of this mother-in law apartment. Someone else did the plan review without a landing. Should I require a landing on top of the stairway?.
R311.7.6 Landings for stairways. There shall be a floor
or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway. The
width perpendicular to the direction of travel shall be not
less than the width of the flight served. Landings of shapes
other than square or rectangular shall be permitted provided
that the depth at the walk line and the total area is
not less than that of a quarter circle with a radius equal to
the required landing width. Where the stairway has a
straight run, the depth in the direction of travel shall be not
less than 36 inches (914 mm).
Exception: A floor or landing is not required at the top
of an interior flight of stairs, including stairs in an
enclosed garage, provided that a door does not swing
over the stairs.
Bonus question: Why is it safe not to have a landing in garages and basements but not anywhere else?
R311.7.6 Landings for stairways. There shall be a floor
or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway. The
width perpendicular to the direction of travel shall be not
less than the width of the flight served. Landings of shapes
other than square or rectangular shall be permitted provided
that the depth at the walk line and the total area is
not less than that of a quarter circle with a radius equal to
the required landing width. Where the stairway has a
straight run, the depth in the direction of travel shall be not
less than 36 inches (914 mm).
Exception: A floor or landing is not required at the top
of an interior flight of stairs, including stairs in an
enclosed garage, provided that a door does not swing
over the stairs.
Bonus question: Why is it safe not to have a landing in garages and basements but not anywhere else?