Staircase Width Code
Diagram 211 1b.
Staircase width code. Stairways serving an occupant load of less than 50 shall have a width of not less than 36 inches 914 mm. Not every municipality adopts every part of every code and some cities and states add in their own additional rules. Landing width shall not be less than the required staircase width. Minimum spiral stair tread width is 26 inches salters code platforms start at 31 inches wide.
Spiral stairways as provided for in section 10098. Stair width 1 except as provided in sentence 2 required exit stairs and public stairs serving buildings of residential occupancy shall have a width measured between wall faces or guards of not less than 900 mm. Clear width of exit doorcorridorstaircase mm number of unit widths 1000 to 1249 2 1250 to 1499 25 1500 to 1749 3 1750 to 1999 35 2000 maximum 4 maximum number per exit the number of persons per unit of width shall be determined by the type of occupancy and type of exit as listed un der table 22a of the fire code 2002. Stair balusters shall be spaced so a 4 inch object cannot pass between.
The width of stairways shall be determined as specified in section 10051 but such width shall not be less than 44 inches 1118 mmsee section 10073 for accessible means of egress stairways. Width refers to the length of risers and treads from side to side. Using toenails or nails to attach the stairs is prohibited because the weight of people using the stairs might cause these fasteners to be pulled loose. Explained october 2 2018 when it comes to residential stair standards the international residential code irc establishes minimum requirements for stairs to insure a level of safety to the public.
2 at least one stair between each floor level within a dwelling unit and exterior stairs and required exitstairs serving a. This is the b staircase in the building. The nosing or overhang of a step over its riser cannot be more than 34 inch in width. The international residential code irc has specific instructions the way stairs can be built.
The irc stair code permits a 4 38 inch space. The ontario building code stair width 9821. A spiral staircase may take up only half the room of a standard staircase and therefore it is useful where space is an issue. Staircases must be firmly fastened to the building.
The minimum clear width below the handrail is 26 inches. Heres a clear summary of what the irc code says about stair rise run and nosing.