• Welcome to the new and improved Building Code Forum. We appreciate you being here and hope that you are getting the information that you need concerning all codes of the building trades. This is a free forum to the public due to the generosity of the Sawhorses, Corporate Supporters and Supporters who have upgraded their accounts. If you would like to have improved access to the forum please upgrade to Sawhorse by first logging in then clicking here: Upgrades

railings onto 1'-2" high stage

C

ccollings

Registered User
Joined
Sep 4, 2020
Messages
103
Location
Cleveland
i have a stage in a pk-6 school. normally the stage will be used as a music room and will be closed off by a folding partition and only opened during special events. the stage is up 2 steps (1'-2"). I'm trying to figure out, if i need railings to get onto the stage, and how to do them if i do. the steps do not project past the line of the wall. the front of the stage is a passage space so i don't want anything that will project into it.
STAGE.jpg
 
# ~ #

In looking at your floor plan, why do you need steps ?
There is access to the Stage Area by the ramp.

# ~ #
 
north star said:
# ~ #

In looking at your floor plan, why do you need steps ?
There is access to the Stage Area by the ramp.

# ~ #
Click to expand...
when the space is used as a music room then it can have 1 exit, but when it's used as a stage then i don't think 1 exit is enough because the occupancy will be over 49 people.
 
I think what north star is getting at is that at 14" in height there's no need for additional stairs because most people could egress directly off the stage without steps. But to answer your original question you would not need railings for 1 or 2 steps, as far as I know.
 
[BE] FLIGHT. A continuous run of rectangular treads,
winders or combination thereof from one landing to another.

1011.11 Handrails. Flights of stairways shall have handrails
on each side and shall comply with Section 1014. Where
glass is used to provide the handrail, the handrail shall comply
with Section 2407.
Exceptions:
1. Flights of stairways within dwelling units and flights
of spiral stairways are permitted to have a handrail
on one side only.
2. Decks, patios and walkways that have a single
change in elevation where the landing depth on each
side of the change of elevation is greater than what
is required for a landing do not require handrails.
3. In Group R-3 occupancies, a change in elevation
consisting of a single riser at an entrance or egress
door does not require handrails.
4. Changes in room elevations of three or fewer risers
within dwelling units and sleeping units in Group R-
2 and R-3 do not require handrails.

SECTION 1014
HANDRAILS
1014.1 Where required. Handrails serving flights of stairways,
ramps, stepped aisles and ramped aisles shall be adequate
in strength and attachment in accordance with Section
1607.8. Handrails required for flights of stairways by Section
1011.11 shall comply with Sections 1014.2 through 1014.9.
Handrails required for ramps by Section 1012.8 shall comply
with Sections 1014.2 through 1014.8. Handrails for stepped
aisles and ramped aisles required by Section 1029.16 shall
comply with Sections 1014.2 through 1014.8.
1014.2 Height. Handrail height, measured above stair tread
nosings, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be uniform, not
less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches
(965 mm). Handrail height of alternating tread devices and
ship’s ladders, measured above tread nosings, shall be uniform,
not less than 30 inches (762 mm) and not more than 34
inches (864 mm).
Exceptions:
1. Where handrail fittings or bendings are used to provide
continuous transition between flights, the fittings
or bendings shall be permitted to exceed the
maximum height.
2. In Group R-3 occupancies; within dwelling units in
Group R-2 occupancies; and in Group U occupancies
that are associated with a Group R-3 occupancy or
associated with individual dwelling units in Group R-
2 occupancies; where handrail fittings or bendings are
used to provide continuous transition between flights,
transition at winder treads, transition from handrail to
guard, or where used at the start of a flight, the handrail
height at the fittings or bendings shall be permitted
to exceed the maximum height.
3. Handrails on top of a guard where permitted along
stepped aisles and ramped aisles in accordance with
Section 1029.16.
1014.3 Handrail graspability. Required handrails shall
comply with Section 1014.3.1 or shall provide equivalent
graspability.
Exception: In Group R-3 occupancies; within dwelling
units in Group R-2 occupancies; and in Group U occupancies
that are accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy or accessory
to individual dwelling units in Group R-2
occupancies; handrails shall be Type I in accordance with
Section 1014.3.1, Type II in accordance with Section
1014.3.2 or shall provide equivalent graspability.
1014.3.1 Type I. Handrails with a circular cross section
shall have an outside diameter of not less than 11/4 inches
(32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). Where the
handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension
of not less than 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater
than 61/4 inches (160 mm) with a maximum cross-sectional
dimension of 21/4 inches (57 mm) and minimum cross-sectional
dimension of 1 inch (25 mm). Edges shall have a
minimum radius of 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).
1014.3.2 Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than
61/4 inches (160 mm) shall provide a graspable finger
recess area on both sides of the profile. The finger recess
shall begin within a distance of 3/4 inch (19 mm) measured
vertically from the tallest portion of the profile and
achieve a depth of not less than 5/16 inch (8 mm) within 7/8
inch (22 mm) below the widest portion of the profile. This
required depth shall continue for not less than 3/8 inch (10
mm) to a level that is not less than 13/4 inches (45 mm)
below the tallest portion of the profile. The width of the
handrail above the recess shall be not less than 11/4 inches
(32 mm) to not greater than 23/4 inches (70 mm). Edges
shall have a minimum radius of 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).
1014.4 Continuity. Handrail gripping surfaces shall be continuous,
without interruption by newel posts or other obstructions.
Exceptions:
1. Handrails within dwelling units are permitted to be
interrupted by a newel post at a turn or landing.
2. Within a dwelling unit, the use of a volute, turnout,
starting easing or starting newel is allowed over the
lowest tread.
3. Handrail brackets or balusters attached to the bottom
surface of the handrail that do not project horizontally
beyond the sides of the handrail within 11/2
inches (38 mm) of the bottom of the handrail shall
not be considered obstructions. For each 1/2 inch
(12.7 mm) of additional handrail perimeter dimension
above 4 inches (102 mm), the vertical clearance
dimension of 11/2 inches (38 mm) shall be permitted
to be reduced by 1/8 inch (3.2 mm).
4. Where handrails are provided along walking surfaces
with slopes not steeper than 1:20, the bottoms
of the handrail gripping surfaces shall be permitted
to be obstructed along their entire length where they
are integral to crash rails or bumper guards.
5. Handrails serving stepped aisles or ramped aisles
are permitted to be discontinuous in accordance with
Section 1029.16.1.
1014.5 Fittings. Handrails shall not rotate within their fittings.
1014.6 Handrail extensions. Handrails shall return to a wall,
guard or the walking surface or shall be continuous to the
handrail of an adjacent flight of stairs or ramp run. Where
handrails are not continuous between flights, the handrails
shall extend horizontally not less than 12 inches (305 mm)
beyond the top riser and continue to slope for the depth of one
tread beyond the bottom riser. At ramps where handrails are
not continuous between runs, the handrails shall extend horizontally
above the landing 12 inches (305 mm) minimum
beyond the top and bottom of ramp runs. The extensions of
handrails shall be in the same direction of the flights of stairs
at stairways and the ramp runs at ramps.
Exceptions:
1. Handrails within a dwelling unit that is not required
to be accessible need extend only from the top riser
to the bottom riser.
2. Handrails serving aisles in rooms or spaces used for
assembly purposes are permitted to comply with the
handrail extensions in accordance with Section
1029.16.
3. Handrails for alternating tread devices and ship’s
ladders are permitted to terminate at a location vertically
above the top and bottom risers. Handrails for
alternating tread devices are not required to be continuous
between flights or to extend beyond the top
or bottom risers.
1014.7 Clearance. Clear space between a handrail and a wall
or other surface shall be not less than 11/2 inches (38 mm). A
handrail and a wall or other surface adjacent to the handrail
shall be free of any sharp or abrasive elements.
1014.8 Projections. On ramps and on ramped aisles that are
part of an accessible route, the clear width between handrails
shall be 36 inches (914 mm) minimum. Projections into the
required width of aisles, stairways and ramps at each side
shall not exceed 41/2 inches (114 mm) at or below the handrail
height. Projections into the required width shall not be limited
above the minimum headroom height required in Section
1011.3. Projections due to intermediate handrails shall not
constitute a reduction in the egress width. Where a pair of
intermediate handrails are provided within the stairway
width without a walking surface between the pair of intermediate
handrails and the distance between the pair of intermediate
handrails is greater than 6 inches (152 mm), the
available egress width shall be reduced by the distance
between the closest edges of each such intermediate pair of
handrails that is greater than 6 inches (152 mm).
1014.9 Intermediate handrails. Stairways shall have intermediate
handrails located in such a manner that all portions
of the stairway minimum width or required capacity are
within 30 inches (762 mm) of a handrail. On monumental
stairs, handrails shall be located along the most direct path of
egress travel.
 
If you add stairs to the stage, handrails are required, on both sides by IBC, on one side by NFPA.

I advise against inset steps - notched into stage in plan - as they are a well known hazard. People move laterally at the stage edge while looking into audience.

Consider letting air wall store 5'+ from stage right wall and building steps there, with door and landing at cafetorium floor level. The ramp already makes a biparting curtain not possible.
 
Given the size of the stage opening / aperture, it looks like the usable part of the stage is 749 SF or less.
Can you use the exception in 1004.5 to post a reduced occupant load of 49 or less?
 
The chances of an event on this stage exceeding 50 is substantial. It's the nature of stages, especially in schools, to include everyone. It would not surprise me to see a 100 or 150 person choral event.
 
Back to the rails, perhaps you were proposing a continuous step across the stage opening to cafetorium. In that case, I believe a handrail at each side or send if that step complies. I don't believe rails every 60" are required. Plenty of capacity in ramp and the 30" at each end of the step.

Keep in mind if utilizing this step for egress, you can never have a main curtain that closes the opening.

I'd also recommend 3 risers, not 2; 7" is just too high in this setting.

Also, the stairs to stage would require an equal accesible route, not one through a door to the side.
 
# ~ #

ccollings, ...I do not know if we answered your question or not.
In reading the other responses, it seems reasonable to expect an
Occupant Load of over 50 ( at times ).....With that in mind, some
type of stairs and another Accessible MOE is needed........The
design & location of the stairs and the 2nd Accessible MOE are
the next problems.

# ~ #
 
north star said:
# ~ #

ccollings, ...I do not know if we answered your question or not.
In reading the other responses, it seems reasonable to expect an
Occupant Load of over 50 ( at times ).....With that in mind, some
type of stairs and another Accessible MOE is needed........The
design & location of the stairs and the 2nd Accessible MOE are
the next problems.

# ~ #
Click to expand...
you answered my question. i need railings. so now the tricky part of designing them.
 
Very similar condition on one today. The actual area of the stage/classroom is 799sf². As proposed, access is via a ramp only, and the elevation difference is 12". There is also a "music storage room" behind it and accessed only through it, but the total area is < 1,000sf². They assign an OL factor of 20-net for a classroom. As bill1952 states, the chances of more than the calculated 40 occupants is good, but what code basis do I have to assign it differently? And, by definition, this would be considered a platform, not a stage, although I don't think there is a material difference based on the size. I know this area could be used for a recital, a choir event, or even a Christmas play (now it's a stage), but I still have no direction on the occupant load for it. Do I assume the most restrictive as standing space (in my mind a choir event) and go from there? The viewing area doubles as the cafeteria, and it is calculated at the worst case of 7-net.

FYI, the CPET from the most remote point to the bottom of the ramp (the point of choice) exceeds 75' so they are going to have to come up with something anyway.

The BO could consider a posted, artificial reduction by signage, but without a firm allowance it is still subjective and to be considered I would want a starting point.

For those of you well versed in stages and platforms, how have you considered the OL?
 
One more thing. 410.1 says the entire section applies to areas with stages or platforms, so by that 410.4 would require separation of the from the storage room, and 410.5 would require the MOE be on the opposite end from the ramp. However, each of those sections specifically prescribes the requirements for a stage, so if defined as a platform, do these sections not apply?

Sorry, 2021 IBC, but same in the 2018.
 
Table 1004.5, 2nd from last "Stages and Platforms" 15 net
So ~54 occupants?

2nd ramp or steps I'd guess. I'm surprised it exceeds 75'. Is that a straight line from opposite corner to top of ramp and down? I see people follow along wall and I don't.

ps: I am embarrassed I had to look up the occupant load factor, and it was added as a result of my proposal. ;)
 
Sifu said:
One more thing. 410.1 says the entire section applies to areas with stages or platforms, so by that 410.4 would require separation of the from the storage room, and 410.5 would require the MOE be on the opposite end from the ramp. However, each of those sections specifically prescribes the requirements for a stage, so if defined as a platform, do these sections not apply?

Sorry, 2021 IBC, but same in the 2018.
Click to expand...
410.4 is a little messed up I've been trying to fix it for a couple of cycles but unsuccessful. But yes, the storage room should be 1 hour iirc.

I'm sorry - not understanding MOE question and "opposite end". Is ramp inside storage? Is there no stage to audience floor path? I'm probably missing obvious.
 
I think I'd "soften" line between stage and storage, just label it all stage, and maybe that would solve problem?

Still seems over 50 requires 2 MOE? Hard for me to offer much without better sense of plan and constraints.
 
bill1952 said:
Table 1004.5, 2nd from last "Stages and Platforms" 15 net
So ~54 occupants?

2nd ramp or steps I'd guess. I'm surprised it exceeds 75'. Is that a straight line from opposite corner to top of ramp and down? I see people follow along wall and I don't.

ps: I am embarrassed I had to look up the occupant load factor, and it was added as a result of my proposal. ;)
Click to expand...
Wow, totally missed that. 15-net it is. I'm embarrassed too, because I specifically looked for this in the table and completely skipped it, assuming it wasn't there.
 
I think a solution to the CPET could be a two step stair off the landing, but at 15-net the space requires another MOE, separated by 1/3rd the distance. I really don't want to make this an issue for the extra 4 occupants. For OL, a solution is to the make the storage and electrical room a little bigger by robbing 75sf² from the classroom, which would result in a combined OL of 49. But, if they push back, the BO will allow an artificial reduction by a placard.
 
I would suggest adding a door against south electrical room wall with a landing at main floor level, 2 risers. I think they'll find it convenient as well, to be able to get from "stage" to "house" on the side of stage with wing space.

You could add steps of ramp landing opposite ramp.

The users are very likely to add a step from house to stage in main proscenium opening. They just do, over and over. Of course that then violates accessibility regs which is why I presume you didn't. Hopefully they'll put a handrail on it.

Otherwise I don't have much to add.
 
Appreciate the suggestions. There are lots of ways they can approach this, my comment will let them know what needs addressed and they can figure a way to go. I always try to anticipate the solutions up front, but I don't share them, at least not in writing. My first thought and the easiest path in my opinion is a door and steps through the other table and chair storage room, which would address both issues. The electrical room is pretty tight, and didn't consider it because I think that may open up other issues. It would be easy to put a step and rail in on the front, but it would be pretty awkward when the moveable wall is closed, but they can consider that as well. The steps off the end of the ramp solves the CPET, but not the exiting unless they reduce it in some method. End of day, I think there are some easy fixes if they apply a little critical thinking.
 
I see several issues with this layout as shown. First of all, it has generally been agreed that the occupant load of the Stage/Music room exceeds 50 persons, so the door at the bottom of the ramp as shown swings in the wrong direction. Even if the steps off the front of the stage were to be considered as part of the means of egress, the moving wall at the top riser is not a code-compliant component of means of egress. (Even if the moving wall were to have a door in it, a door at the top riser is not permissible.) The steps are required to have handrails on both sides. One last thing to consider is that, if this is an NFPA jurisdiction, the tread depth is required to be 13".

A suggested solution: Pull the folding partion "south" toward the stage opening far enough to provide a code compliant stair and landing in between the folding partition enclosure and the wall that separates the Stage/Music room from the Table Storage room.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top