Storage Closets Under Interior Stairwells

[Bob Loblaw]

Hello all,

Per 2021 IBC 1011.7.3, it looks like there cannot be any storage closets under stairs within an interior stairwell enclosure unless it is accessed outside the enclosure and properly rated. I have come across this at multiple newly constructed buildings where a door is located inside the stairwell. I’m wondering if I’m missing something and they are allowed somehow in certain cases? Or was this likely an oversight? Seems pretty black and white though.

Thank you for your input.

 

[walker.t]

I’m wondering if I’m missing something and they are allowed somehow in certain cases?

No, you’re not missing anything, a door within a stairway enclosure that provides access to storage under the stair is not permitted per 1011.7.3.

Or was this likely an oversight?

Assuming the door was to a storage area under the stairs, it would be interesting to know if the storage area and door were shown on the plans, it’s not impossible that plan review missed it. Also possible that the door was installed after the final inspection.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

It's also possible that the closet has a rated ceiling/soffit separating it from the stair, in which case the closet would be outside the rated stair enclosure.

 

[walker.t]

It's also possible that the closet has a rated ceiling/soffit separating it from the stair,

I think the ceiling/soffit has to be rated if the area under the stairs is enclosed:

2021 IBC 1011.7.3 Enclosures Under Interior Stairways
The walls and soffits within enclosed usable spaces under enclosed and unenclosed stairways shall be protected by 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction or the fire-resistance rating of the stairway enclosure, whichever is greater. Access to the enclosed space shall not be directly from within the stairway enclosure.

 

[steveray]

It's also possible that the closet has a rated ceiling/soffit separating it from the stair, in which case the closet would be outside the rated stair enclosure.

It is not allowed to be accessed from in the stairs....Per the end of 1011.7.3

 

[steveray]

Hello all,

Per 2021 IBC 1011.7.3, it looks like there cannot be any storage closets under stairs within an interior stairwell enclosure unless it is accessed outside the enclosure and properly rated. I have come across this at multiple newly constructed buildings where a door is located inside the stairwell. I’m wondering if I’m missing something and they are allowed somehow in certain cases? Or was this likely an oversight? Seems pretty black and white though.

Thank you for your input.

And Welcome to THE Forum!

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

It is not allowed to be accessed from in the stairs....Per the end of 1011.7.3

I missed the part about the door being inside the stairwell. Sorry.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I appreciate the feedback, thank you!

 

[Sifu]

I recently had one with a couple of open stairs, two story. Neither was in an enclosure...because they are open. On the first review I made the comment on one stair that they couldn't provide access from within the enclosure, because it has some storefronts on the lower level that looked like it was an enclosure. I had a conversation with the DP after they resubmitted without a correction and was made aware there was no enclosure as it was open above, and had an opening on the lower level, so it was not enclosed. The other open stair also had storage underneath, but the opening was from the hallway around the corner....clearly not within any enclosure, but this one had the opening right next to the bottom of the stair landing.

I chewed on this for awhile but in the end went with it because of the word enclosure. Seems the intent of the code is the same whether it is in an enclosure or not, but the code language using enclosure pushed me out.

Right or wrong?