The IBC requirements for the external staircase are also found in IBC section 1011.7.2 in the context of the external stairway bridge. Since stair railings are more a matter of personal preference, we will talk about the different materials used for railings. These can work indoors and outdoors, around terraces and on stairs. IRC and IBC specify requirements for the outdoor stair code. The IRC defines the code for exterior stairs for single-family and two-family homes and townhouses that are no more than three storeys above the slope. IBC addresses the exterior stairway code for commercial apartment buildings not covered by IRC and industrial buildings. IRC requirements for outdoor residential stairs can be found in Chapter 3 Building Design, section R311.7 Stairways. Section R507.2.2 requires that exterior deck decks, steps, guards and handrails made of plastic composite comply with the requirements of ASTM D7032. External stair railings must meet all the general requirements of section R312.1 of the IRC Guardrails.

ADA accessibility standards and IBC requirements for accessible means of exit apply to exterior and interior stairs that are part of a mandatory exit path. These include external stairs that are part of the exit landfill (i.e., the path from an exit to a public road such as a street or alley). IBC section 1009, Accessible Means of Exit Requirements, allows an external exit stairway serving levels other than the exit discharge level to be part of an accessible exit pathway. ADA standards apply to escalators in railway stations and without ballast (§810.9), but not to escalators provided in other types of facilities. Escalators must have a clear width of at least 32 inches and comply with the specific provisions of ASME Safety Code A17.1 for elevators and escalators. The mentioned ASME criteria require that steps be bounded by yellow lines not more than 2 inches wide along the back and sides (§6.1.3.5.6) and indicate at least 2, but not more than 4, flat steps at the entrances and exits of escalators (§6.1.3.6.5). To be fair, a railing is not always mandatory. If you have two or fewer risers on your deck, you can do without guardrails. But if you have more than two, you must have a railing for safety reasons. have handrails that meet the requirements of Section 1917.112(c)(1) on both sides and are at least 30 inches (76.2 cm) from the tread on the riser. The building code does not refer to the number of “steps”, but it does require a handrail if there are two or more “risers”. For clarity, a riser is the vertical part of a staircase.

The “tread” is the tip of a step. A minimum of two risers would mean two steps. Recommendation: Providing visual contrast (light-dark or dark over light) on the upper and lower steps, which is about 2 inches wide and located on the traps or leading edges of the steps is useful for people with visual impairments. Composite plastic external protective devices must comply with the requirements of section R317.4, which refers to section R507.2.2. According to R507.2.2, composite plastic external guards must comply with ASTM D7032. Article 1011.7.2 of the IBC stipulates that external stairs and access to external stairs shall be designed in such a way that water does not accumulate on walking surfaces. What I want to do, if possible, is to show the board from a mathematical point of view what the correct width of the steps should be (from side to side) in relation to the steepness of the slope. The first rule states that stairs that must be crossed at the entrance and exit of the building must have handrails.

These rails should be between 34 and 38 inches above the ground or steps, which is a generous span. External stair handrails must meet all of the IRC`s general handrail requirements outlined in section R311.7.8 “Handrails”. The height of the handrail must not be less than 34 inches and not more than 38 inches. Handrails must conform to the required handle size specified in section R311.7.8.5. Handrails of circular cross-section must be between 1 1/4 and 2 inches in diameter. IBC`s Building Code for Exterior Stairways contains all the general requirements for stairs in Section 1011 as well as additional criteria for the design, construction and use of exterior stairs. A wider step from side to side would definitely make you feel more confident negotiating the steps from top to bottom. I invite you to share with me any contribution or technical knowledge that you could provide to me that would help me to respond to my request to the Council. Thank you very much. O. 10.11.2012 As an exit option, external stairs shall meet all the width and capacity requirements of article 1011.2 of the IBC.

External stair handrails shall meet all the general requirements of IBCs set out in section 1014 Handrails and section 1011.11 Handrails. The IBC defines an external exit staircase as an exit element that is used to meet one or more exit design requirements, such as the required number of exits or the access distance to exits, and that is open to courtyards, yards or public roads. The council opposes our request to extend the steps for aesthetic reasons and does not consider my mother`s safety. They allow us to rebuild the staircase because it was poorly built at the beginning. Often the question arises, how many steps does a handrail need? The 2018 IRC code for outdoor stairs can be found in section R311 exit routes. This section contains all requirements for stairs, including specific requirements for exterior stairs. The International Building Code for Stairways is addressed in Chapter 10 of IBC Section 1011 Stairways, which sets out all general requirements for stairs. These requirements also apply to external stairs. Section 1027 of the IBC Stairs and Exterior Exit Ramps sets out additional criteria for exterior stairs. When we encounter steps and a terrace, like the version shown in our photo (top left), we are convinced that the construction was carried out without building permits and code permits, that it is dangerous and has other hidden structural or safety risks. Exterior landings must comply with the requirements of clause R311.7.6 “Stair Landing”.

There must be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each staircase and the width perpendicular to the direction of travel must not be less than the flight served. We just paid a lot of money for the retaining wall and steps and the contractor did not install a handrail. If we go from the community to the final inspection, can we say we do NOT need a handrail because there are walls on the sides? Thank you! – Anonymous [by private email] 04.05.2016 An external exit staircase is an exit staircase open to the outside that leads directly to the outside of the building. These can be prefabricated metal exterior stairs, concrete stairs, wooden stairs or any other type of construction. IBC section 1009, Accessible Means of Exit Requirements, allows an external exit stairway serving levels other than the exit discharge level to be part of an accessible exit pathway. My mother is older and moves from her home to a co-op building. Your unit is located on the first floor and its terrace is served by an external staircase made of stone slabs. Wood is by far the most popular type of ramp both indoors and outdoors. It can have a treatment to go outdoors and comes in almost any color of wood or grain.