New bedroom on the 2nd floor

[Josef Chalat]

I want to add a bedroom above a new family room on the 2nd floor of an old house. The existing stairs do not meet code (8 1/2" treads plus a funky winder at the top). R102.7.1 clearly states that new construction must meet code without requiring the existing structure to comply with the code. In that case the existing stairs can remain. But it seems that in order to comply with the code a new bedroom needs a legal means of egress out of the house, in which case a new stair is required. I think my client should put in the new stair, but I would like to be able to say it's required by code and not just a nice thing to have

 

[Josef Chalat]

The code in force is IRC 2015

 

[ICE]

R102.7.1 clearly states that new construction must meet code without requiring the existing structure to comply with the code.

You answered your own question.

But it seems that in order to comply with the code a new bedroom needs a legal means of egress out of the house, in which case a new stair is required.

There is already a legal means of egress.

 

[bill1952]

If this was a stair to habitable space and code compliant when constructed, seems you could keep and use it. If it is to an attic or other non-habitable, not as likely. Same as a house built with a pull down attic stair - fine for that but not for an attic converted to a bed room.

 

[Inspector Gadget]

If this was a stair to habitable space and code compliant when constructed, seems you could keep and use it. If it is to an attic or other non-habitable, not as likely. Same as a house built with a pull down attic stair - fine for that but not for an attic converted to a bed room.

^^^^
What he/she/it/them/they said.
We find this all the time with some quite old buildings being renovated in our area. We don't go back in time to retroactively apply Code but if someone changes a funky stair, then the new stuff has to be as close to code as practicable.

 

[steveray]

Are you converting and existing room or attic? Or are you "building" something new/ addition?

 

[fatboy]

I am in the camp of, with egress in on out to use the bedroom, the "new" stairs now become part of the "new" bedroom.

JMHO

 

[Inspector 102]

At what point are the stairs considered a means of egress or simply an extension of the room that it serves? If there is only a single bedroom in the "attic" space, then I could consider it an extension of the room. If serving multiple rooms, then it becomes an egress path for the areas being served. Regardless, you will still be required to provide emergency rescue and escape openings for the space(s).