So this basically sums up the basic code requirements for residential stairs and their dimensions.
Exterior stair handrails code.
Railings used on stairs balconies decks ramps walks.
Summary of code requirements for commercial stairs.
Irc stair railing code.
The international residential code for one and two family dwellings irc and the international building code ibc address staircase railings.
Therefore let us recap on the residential stair code requirements.
Minimum 36 inch clear width for stairway.
The stairway section of the code refers us to section 1014 for handrail code requirements which you can read more about at the following link here.
Defects in masonry steps and landings outdoors sketches of exterior stair design requirements questions answers about exterior stair code specifications.
Handrails for commercial stairs.
Every exterior and interior flight of stairs having more than four risers shall have a handrail on one side of the stair and every open portion of a stair landing balcony porch deck ramp or other walking surface which is more than 30 inches 762 mm above the floor or grade below shall have guards handrails shall not be less than 30 inches 762 mm high or more than 42 inches 1067 mm.
Balusters are small vertical in fill posts running between the guardrail or railing designed to prevent people particularly children from falling off the deck through the space below an.
Summary of code requirements for residential stairs.
We explain the difference between a handrail a stair rail and a guardrail and we provide specifications and building code specifications sketches of proper safe and improper unsafe handrails and other types of railings.
Unlike residential stairs that only require a handrail on one side commercial stairs require handrails on both sides.
As the terms are used by the code a railing is a form of guard that protects stairs running on the incline up and down the stairway.
Maximum 4 1 2 inch handrail projection into stairway width on either side.