I'm having trouble envisioning how these stairs are located.
Are they:
- Enclosed within the footprint of the building?
- Enclosed down the outside of the building?
- Enclosed perpendicular to the building (like a tongue)?
- Is the enclosure conditioned?
A sketch showing the upper door in relation to the stairs would be helpful.
IRC Section R311 was amended in 2009 and again in 2012. The Section tended to be circular in nature (requiring landings, but not requiring landings).
2012 IRC
R311.3 Floors and landings at exterior doors.
There shall be
a landing or floor on each side of each exterior door. The width
of each landing shall not be less than the door served. Every
landing shall have a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914
mm) measured in the direction of travel. Exterior landings shall
be permitted to have a slope not to exceed 1/4 unit vertical in 12
units horizontal (2-percent).
Exception: Exterior balconies less than 60 square feet (5.6
m2) and only accessible from a door are permitted to have a
landing less than 36 inches (914 mm) measured in the direction
of travel.
R311.3.1 Floor elevations at the required egress doors.
Landings or floors at the required egress door shall not be
more than 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) lower than the top of the
threshold.
Exception: The exterior landing or floor shall not be
more than 7-3/4 inches (196 mm) below the top of the
threshold provided the door does not swing over the
landing or floor.
When exterior landings or floors serving the required
egress door are not at grade, they shall be provided with
access to grade by means of a ramp in accordance with Section
R311.8 or a stairway in accordance with Section R311.7.
R311.3.2 Floor elevations for other exterior doors. Doors
other than the required egress door shall be provided with
landings or floors not more than 7-3/4 inches (196 mm) below
the top of the threshold.
Exception: A landing is not required where a stairway of
two or fewer risers is located on the exterior side of the
door, provided the door does not swing over the stairway.
R311.3.3 Storm and screen doors. Storm and screen doors
shall be permitted to swing over all exterior stairs and landings.
;
- within the footprint of the building?