2015 irc stair handrail code

• Handrails must be between 30 and 38 inches as measured from the leading edge of the stair tread. R311.7.3 Vertical rise. Handrails and guards are discussed in Chapter 3 of the code, known as Building Planning. This required depth shall continue for not less than 3/8 inch (10 mm) to a level that is not less than 13/4 inches (45 mm) below the tallest portion of the profile. at the sides of stairs.) However, the architectural limitations of guards, such as minimum height and the size of openings between guard components, only apply to required guards. Once a guard is required, the minimum height can be no less than 36 in. To allow for design freedom, the code spells out significant details for handrail profiles that are more ornate than a simple round or square rail. While guards and handrails often coexist in the same assembly, they serve different jobs. Decks Project Guide. In recent code modification hearings, a number of entities have proposed a more realistic loading direction for guards. Here are the definitions in the building code: Guard: A building component or a system of building components located near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to the lower level. At least some of that confusion can be attributed to phrasing in older versions of the code. Model stair code rule on when a handrail is required. GUARDS – 2015 IBC Section 1015 & IRC Section R312 1015 GUARDS - Where required. R311.7.8.2 Continuity. sphere. But while guards must typically be at least 36 in. Based on the 2015 International Residential Code Where applicable, provisions and details contained in this document are based on the International Residential Code (IRC) [bracketed text references applicable sections of the IRC]. __ * Reference Source – 2015 International Residential Code … Local code authorities generally do not have the human resources to write their own code ... handrail is required on both sides of stairs within any point 36 in. risers would only ascend a height of 16 in. For guards, this loading requirement may change in the 2021 update to the IRC. Handrail height, measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm). Where the top of the guard doesn’t serve as a handrail, there’s no maximum limit on its height. A flight of stairs shall not have a vertical rise larger than 147 inches (3734 mm) between floor levels or landings. Typical Handrail Elevation R311.7.8 Type I Handrails R311.7.8.3 GENERAL INFORMATION: IRC Stair Railing Code . R311.7.12 Ships ladders. 980 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611 Call Us: 312-544-9180‬ Email: info@thehomeinspectors.com Hours: 7 AM – 9 PM (Sunday Closed), Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WINTER HOME HAZARDS, HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO PEST INFESTATIONS, HOW TO STOP YOUR WINTER ELECTRIC BILL FROM SKYROCKETING, HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOUR HOUSE IS MAKING YOU SICK, 3 AREAS OF YOUR HOME YOU MIGHT BE NEGLECTING. R311.7.2 Headroom. This height restriction is in part because handrails, while designed for purposeful use, are also used reflexively. Stairways - 2015 IRC Section 311.7 R311.7.8.1 Height. The 2015 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) will be published this December. Much like the ’80s movie Field of Dreams—“If you build it, he will come”—if a guard or handrail is available, an occupant will expect it to bear their weight. It can be attached to almost anything so long as it meets loading requirements. R311.5.1 Width. Load resistance in these directions is dictated by the phrase “in all directions,” but it’s not really justified—there is no requirement for a graspable feature or any mention of protecting one from a backwards fall to the surface they are standing on (were they to yank backwards on the guard). The International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC) address staircase railings. Where the stairway has a straight run, the depth in the direction of travel shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm). An approved handrail shall be on both sides. Code expert Glenn Mathewson defines the two terms according to the IRC, explaining that guards are required to prevent falls whereas handrails are intended for guidance or support. The riser height of spiral stairways shall be in accordance with Section R311.7.10.1. The pitch of the stairway shall not exceed 60 degrees with a minimum width of 24 inches. Stairways shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height PHOTO 1. The width perpendicular to the direction of travel shall be not less than the width of the flight served. Handrails for stairways shall becontinuous for the full length of the flight, from a pointdirectly above the top riser of the flight to a point directlyabove the lowest riser of the flight. 2015 IRC Essentials Workbook Page 2 3 2015 IRC Essentials 4 ICC Code Development Cycle New code published every 3 years 12 month cycle Codes divided into 3 groups 1. The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). Prescriptive construction methods recommended meet or exceed minimum requirements of the IRC. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. THE 2009 IRC States:R311.7.7.2 Continuity. The current rule is that openings cannot allow the passage of a 4-in. Landings for Exterior Doors – Get the specifications you need to install stairs, porches, decks, and more to ensure that a home provides safe, code-compliant means of egress. IBC 1011.11 Key Exception: Stairways within dwelling units are permitted to have handrail on one side only 3. R311.7.8.2 Continuity. Learn what the most common dimensions are and why. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. The I Codes are model codes. He points out the location and height requirements of guards and handrails at both exterior and interior locations, along with specific code provisions for openings in the infill of guards and for handrail diameter. The greatest nosing projection shall not exceed the smallest nosing projection by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) between two stories, including the nosing at the level of floors and landings. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 11/2 inches (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails. Type II. to 38 in.—also apply to the guard. The top edge of the handrail must be placed between 34” and 38” above the nosing of the stair treads. Unlike guards, which don’t require any surface to hold, a handrail must be designed so a hand can get a firm grip on it. There’s nothing in the definition of “guard” that says it has to be the typical railing that comes to the minds of many. “Handrail” is also defined in the IRC, but it, on the other hand, does require a rail. (This measurement is increased to 43⁄8 in. The headroom in stairways shall be not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) measured vertically from the sloped line adjoining the tread nosing or from the floor surface of the landing or platform on that portion of the stairway. ICC Digital Codes is the largest provider of model codes, custom codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. 2012 RESIDENTIAL STAIR GUIDE . IBC 1012.8: Ramps with a … IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IPSDC 2. The 2015 IRC purged all use of the term “guardrail” and replaced it with “guard”—a term that was already in use and defined—to allay confusion. The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch. As per local amendment, Alternating tread stairways may serve as an exit from an area not to exceed 200 square feet. Anything below or next to it—be it a guard, wall, post, or something else—is not part of the handrail. Handrails shall not project more than 41/2 inches (114 mm) on … It is measured vertically from the finish surface of a ramp or the imaginary sloped line connecting tread nosings on a stairway, and can be anywhere from a minimum of 34 in. For the purposes of this section, dimensions and dimensioned surfaces shall be exclusive of carpets, rugs or runners. ). • Stair rail system: • Top rail may also serve as handrail if height of the system is between 36 and 38 inches. For more information, see Section R311.7 of the 2015 International Residential Code for a more in-depth look at stair requirements. A handrail serves a very different role: It is meant for purposeful use by an occupant while traversing an obstacle, such as a stairway or ramp. The radius of curvature at the nosing shall be not greater than 9/16 inch (14 mm). above grade at their edge, but are located on a downslope or near a retaining wall with a greater drop. Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm). The finger recess shall begin within a distance of 3/4 inch (19 mm) measured vertically from the tallest portion of the profile and achieve a depth of not less than. R311.7.8.1 Height. Graspability is where handrails get very specific in their design. R311.7.5.1 Risers. Always check with your building safety department for local modifications. sphere, which is intended to prohibit a small child from passing through the guards. and would not require a guard, but would require a handrail to be available to assist someone’s movement. It’s worth noting here that a handrail is just a rail. out from the edge of the elevated surface, a guard is required. 1. stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8-inch (9.5 mm). The tread depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a right angle to the tread’s leading edge. Synopsis: While they are often part of the same assembly, guards and handrails serve different jobs and must follow different code requirements. The initial tread of the stairway shall begin at the same elevation as the platform, landing or floor surface. Home / Products / 2015 Visual Interpretations of IRC Stair Codes BOOK (Non-Member) Currently the 2012 and 2015 IRC are the model codes most frequently adopted into law by most jurisdictions. Electrical Outlets by the Numbers – Building codes dictate specific height and spacing measurements for receptacles and switches. The width of the handrail above the recess shall be not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not more than 23/4 inches (70 mm). Handrail height, measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm). Building Code Resources. The new building code covers a lot more deck code construction information - most of it very useful. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. But due to the casual use of the terms “handrail” and “guardrail,” the distinction can get blurred in code applications. There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway. ICC Digital Codes is the largest provider of model codes, custom codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. The radius of curvature at the leading edge of the tread shall be not greater than 0.5 inch (12.7 mm). Below are additional excerpts from the IRC, IBC, and Florida handrail codes: The non-circular handrail profile shown above is illustrated in the Florida Handrail code at 505.7.2. where the additional details are specified: As per local amendment, an interior fire escape stairway may serve as an exit from an area not to exceed 200 square feet. 5/16 inch (8 mm) within 7/8 inch (22 mm) below the widest portion of the profile. These guardrail requirements are found in Section R312 of the International Residential Code (IRC). tall, guards on stairs can be as low as 34 in., measured from the line connecting tread nosings—the same as the minimum height for handrails. to a maximum of 38 in. Handrails with a perimeter greater than 6-1/4 inches (160 mm) shall have a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile. Handrails shall not project more than 4.5 inches (114 mm) on either side of the stairway PHOTO 2 and the clear, measured plumb from the nose of the tread to any obstruction above (floor, coffered ceiling, beam, etc. Landings of shapes other than square or rectangular shall be permitted provided that the depth at the walk line and the total area is not less than that of a quarter circle with a radius equal to the required landing width. Minimum Headroom 10 in. Exceptions: 1. The headroom for spiral stairways shall be in accordance with Section R311.7.10.1. At least some of that confusion can be attributed to phrasing in older versions of the code. Restrictions on the size of openings in the infill below the top of guards have been through more progressions since that time, slowly tightening from 9 in. above the surface below. While serving in this protective role, they also invite users to purposefully lean against them or on them. The top of a guard can also serve as a handrail, and when that’s the case, the minimum and maximum heights for handrails— 34 in. R311.7.1 Width. Because of this, features that fit the definition of a guard must be designed to resist minimum required live loads, whether the guard is required or not. Stairways shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height. Safety provisions are often reduced for private residences due to occupant familiarity and to protect design freedom in our homes. in height. The IBC stair codes are slightly different than the ones set by the IRC. Because infill limitations only apply to required guards, this risk still persists in non-required guards. Become a member and get unlimited site access 2015 irc stair handrail code expert advice, how-to videos, how-tos, reviews! Guidelines for local code authorities to follow at their edge, but would a... 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