Walking surface

[tbz]

Need a little help with a code section number.

Looking for the floor opening requirement noting solid surface or opening limitations.

I had thought it was in 1003.4 floor surfaces, but that just says

1003.4 Floor surface.Walking surfaces of the means of egress shall have a slip-resistant surface and be securely attached.

Here is the layout.

Architect has designed a set of stairs going up 2 floor levels within a building 7 - 8 then 8 - 9, one side of the stairs has no guard planned on the drawings, however stairs are open stringers, then 3.5" open space then the wall.

Hence one could step off the stair treads in to opening between tread edge and wall.

I remember a post on this I think on the thing of the thing, however, I can't seem to find the floor section wording in the code and well, accessing the thing of the thing.

Input would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[Yikes]

Where is the wall-mounted handrail relative to the wall surface, and relative to the openign between the stringer area and the wall.

In other words, is the handrail so far awy form the wall that it is forcing people to walk within the tread area anyway?

 

[fatboy]

You aren't really describing a "walking surface" per se, but I think this would still apply;

1009.6.1 Stairway walking surface. The walking surface of treads and landings of a stairway shall not be sloped steeper than one unit vertical in 48 units horizontal (2-percent slope) in any direction. Stairway treads and landings shall have a solid surface. Finish floor surfaces shall be securely attached.

Exceptions:

1. Openings in stair walking surfaces shall be a size that does not permit the passage of 1/2-inch-diameter (12.7 mm) sphere. Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the direction of travel.

2. In Group F, H and S occupancies, other than areas of parking structures accessible to the public, openings in treads and landings shall not be prohibited provided a sphere with a diameter of 11/8 inches (29 mm) cannot pass through the opening.

 

[mtlogcabin]

2009 IBC

1009.6.1 Stairway walking surface.

The walking surface of treads and landings of a stairway shall not be sloped steeper than one unit vertical in 48 units horizontal (2-percent slope) in any direction. Stairway treads and landings shall have a solid surface. Finish floor surfaces shall be securely attached.

Exceptions:

1. Openings in stair walking surfaces shall be a size that does not permit the passage of 1/2-inch-diameter (12.7 mm) sphere. Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the direction of travel.

ANSI

302.3 Openings.

Openings in floor surfaces shall be of a size that does not permit the passage of a 1/2 inch (13 mm) diameter sphere, except as allowed in Sections 407.4.3, 408.4.3, 409.4.3, 410.4, and 805.10. Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel.

Yikes asked a good question about the handrail forcing people away from the wall. Might be okay except when the eldely person or young child trips going up and their arm goes through the opening, but then again you can only ask for what the code requires and it does not cover bad design on every thing

 

[tbz]

thanks everyone, you all hit on areas of great help.

Yikes, the AHJ modified the adopted code to allow 1 handrail since these are not MOE stairs, however your point that the handrail covers the opening works.

Fatboy, thanks I was looking under floor surfaces which MT, picked up on was in ANSI, but is also in IBC for stairway surfaces. Both help greatly.