Source(s): building steps height code: https://tr.im/BP0bN. This deck railing height code also applies to commercial decks and balconies such as restaurants, bars, and museums as well as multi-family homes, condos, and any deck on a third-story or higher. The purpose of stair requirements within the Code is to provide for the safe passage of the users of the stairs. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 3305(c).) (2) Stairway headroom shall be not less than 1 950 mm plus the height of one riser measured vertically above the nosing of any tread or platform. However, wider stairs are typically more inviting and can feel safer for users, particularly in crowded public spaces. Guards are required when then deck is 24" (60 cm) above grade. Revised: 2019-JUL-04 2018 BC Building Code G:\DSDSystem\Handouts\Building\Residential\StairsResidentialDetail.docx . Building Materials. Steps and stairs must now comply with the Building Code of Australia - which has been given the status of building regulation by Australia's states and territories. The run should be between 210 mm (8 ¼”) and 355mm (14”). Multi-family dwellings and commercial require 42" across the board. STAIR WIDTH Over the years, many designers and safety codes officers have had disagreements as to how the width of a flight of stairs is to be measured. 5-1/2” & 35-1/2” 35-1/2”” 35-1/2”” 6’ 4-3/4” 42” 15” LOCATED AT 4.2 M ABOVE THE ADJACENT LEVEL 9.8.8.6 . How do you think about the answers? One specific requirement is that the space between the surface and the bottom rail should not be more than 4”. The tread of the stairs (or the part of the stair where you place your foot) must be at least 11 inches. Entry Step Risers & Treads. The riser height shall be measured vertically between the leading edges of adjacent treads. A 36 ”rail measured from the top of rail to the deck surface is required. The height of your front entry step (called Risers), according to code, can be no higher than 7 3/4 inches . The tread depth can then be obtained by using the above formula. Stair riser heights shall be 7 inches (178 mm) maximum and 4 inches (102 mm) minimum. Interior guard rails are to be 32" - 38" in height (830-1040mm) for single residential dwellings. International Building Code for Stair treads and risers 1009.3 Stair treads and risers. Handrails are required for stairs and must meet standards as specified by R311.5.6.3 in the IRC code. The top edge of the handrail must be placed between 34” and 38” above the nosing of the stair treads. The BC Building and Plumbing Code, which set the technical requirements for building construction throughout B.C. Exception: Private stairways serving an occupant load of less than 10 and stairways to unoccupied roofs may be constructed with an 8 inch maximum rise and a 9 inch minimum run. 0 0. For outdoor steps, the common formula for comfortable proportioning is 2(R) + T = 26” to 27”, where R = riser height (in inches) and T = tread depth (in inches). You can find some more information here as well on other stair-related dimensions. In a given run of stairs, the greatest step height and the smallest step height should not vary more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). If the bottom or top step is noticeably different in height or length from the other stairs, it will be a tripping hazard. Outdoor Stair Treads (25 products) Category. All treads shall be slip-resistant. The recommended range for riser height, in an outdoor set of steps, is a minimum of 4.5 inches to a maximum of 7 inches. Get Started! Accessibility • 3.8.3.1. • Handrail height must be 34 to 38 inches high, measured from the tread nosing or ramp surface, with two exceptions allowed: 1) a volute (shown below) is allowed over the lowest tread, and 2) the transition from handrail to guard, or at the start of a stair flight, my exceed 38 inches. Risers - the Step Height [F] is the typical height of each step. Learn more about the basics of deck railing code-compliance and installation in the Deck Railing Guide and Glossary of Deck Terms and Lingo . Outdoor Stair Treads; Material. The overall width of a set of outdoor stairs should be a minimum of 4 feet in a private setting, and 5 feet in a public space. You can sign in to vote the answer. The handgrips must allow a minimum of 1-1/2” space between the handrail and the guardrail or wall. If it does not, then you’ll need a separate handrail attached to your deck stair guardrail, between 34” and 38” in height. They should be installed on: There are codes that apply country-wide as well as province-wide. It should be no more than 38 vertical inches from the stair tread nosing if the guardrail also acts as a handrail, which it does for most decks. Zip Code Project. Additionally, the stair railing height should measure at least 34” from the nosing to the top rail. The most important dimensions are the riser height and tread depth. 2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), the clear height over stairs shall not be less than 2 050 mm. Outdoor Stairs. The BC Building code requires ALL guard rails to be 42" in height for exterior if the height above ground is greater than 600 mm. When planning the look of your concrete stairway, don't sacrifice functionality for flair. To calculate if the steps will be within the Building Codes specs : 2 times the step riser height + 1 tread width equals between 24 and 25 in inches (60.96cm and 63.5cm). Use these measurements to determine the length of the stringers (supports) and the distance from the house to the base of the stringers. The Ontario Building Code | Stairs 3.4.7.5. 1 decade ago. A deck’s stairway should be carefully planned so that all the stair rises (the vertical height of the steps) and all the tread depths (the horizontal length of the step runs) are equal. A handrail must be between 865mm and 1070mm (34 and 42 inches) above the nosing. Handrail Height. In the U.S., the I-Codes require handrail placed between 34 and 38 inches. The part of the front entry step you actually step on (called Treads) can be no less than 10 inches. OUTDOOR STEP HEIGHT. What is the height code for building steps outside? Typical Detail for Stairs, Guard, & Handrails . 1℃ and an outdoor air temperature of -18℃ +/- 1 ... • Height of guards serving flight of exit stairs in Part 3 / 9 is harmonized (previously 920mm and 1070 mm) to all be 1070 mm • No open riser stairs permied in public stairs, only permied within dwelling units and industrial occupancies. The accepted minimum riser height for a patio step is 4 inches and not higher than 7 inches. Stairs ≥ 2200mm (87 inches) require an intermediate handrail such that a user is no more than 825mm (32 inches) from a handrail. Stair tread depths shall be 11 inches (279 mm) minimum. Re: Building Code for Railings That depends on jurisdiction. Generally, the stair's rise (or the height of each step) must be between four inches and seven inches to create a safe stepping distance. Sign in. The height code and other requirements for deck railing in Ontario are based on building experience and the area’s climate. If a ledger board isn't present, install one and measure from the front of the board. Some common relationships between the riser and tread for patio stairs are: 4-inch riser = 18-inch tread; 5-inch riser = 17-inch tread; 6-inch riser = 14-inch tread; 7-inch riser = 12-inch tread ; Whatever combination you select, keep all stairs risers the same. Handrails, Guards and Stairs . NOTE: NCC 2015 was adopted by the States and Territories on 1 May 2015. Aluminum (12) Composite (2) Plastic (1) Rubber (1) Wood (3) Assembled Depth (in inches) 0.5 in to 1 in (1) 7 in to 10 in (3) 10 in to 15 in (8) 24 in to 30 in (1) 36 in to 42 in (4) 42 in to 48 in (4) 48 in to 60 in (4) Brand Name. The measurements of a stair, in particular the rise (height) and run (depth) of the steps, should remain consistent throughout the stairs. 34 "minimum stair rail height from nosing to top of rail; MORE BUILDING code topics . This is measured from top of a tread nosing to the top of the next tread nosing or landing. Guardrails are required once the deck is 30 ″ or more above grade. Handrail ends must be returned and terminated at rail posts. Treads should be between 235 mm (9 ¼”) and 355 mm (14”). The code lets you build not only a beautiful deck but also a safe one. … The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch. For handrails in Canada, the height should be 32-36 inches above the stairs. Building codes in many areas define maximum step height and minimum step length, but in areas where it is not defined, Council of American Building Officials and International Code Council both recommend the rise to be no more than 7.75 inches and runs to be no less than 10 inches. RISERS. CITY OF NANAIMO HARBOUR CITY … Height over Stairs 1)The clear height over stairs shall be measured vertically, over the clear width of the stair, from a straight line tangent to the tread and landing nosings to the lowest point above. Exceptions Certain types of stairs have special requirements. They should be in proportions that will comfortably accommodate the average person's stride. (d) Surface. Deck stair handrails height should be at least 34 vertical inches from stair tread nosing to the top of the stair handrail. All Risers (the height of the steps) and Treads (the part you step on) must all be the same; uniform. Decking. × USA RAIL HEIGHT FOR RESIDENCES. This is lower than what is typically used in the United States, which ranges from 34-38 inches, The space between the railings and the wall should be 1.5 inches while the railings height should range from 27 inches to 31.5 inches. Code states that this should not be greater than 7 3/4 inches (194 mm). Pro Tip. This means that a handrail's height is measured from the top of the stair treads, or horizontal stepping members. Canada REsidential Rail Height and Dimensions. Consult your local building codes to get all the details and formulas you’ll need to make sure your stairs are up to code. example: (2 x … One of the best ways to ensure the safety of your deck is by installing a handrail. for Single Family Dwelling Units . Stairs (1) Stairs shall be inclined at an angle of not more than 45° with the horizontal, and their steps shall have risers not more than 210 mm high and treads not less than 220 mm wide exclusive of nosing. Building Code. It is not the physical height of the riser; the latter excludes the thickness of the tread. Unit run is measured from face of nosing to face of nosing. The NCC is updated and amended regularly. The 1996 Council of American Building Officials (CABO) and the 2000 International Code Council recommendations call for unit runs to be not less than 10 inches and … Before you finalize the design and get your toolkit ready, you should first be thorough with Ontario building code for railing height. HEIGHT DIAGRAMS: US and Canada. Make sure the planned stairs are all the same height and depth, and that the stair height and width conform to local building codes. To help you get started, a good general rule about outdoor stairs is: Twice the riser height (the vertical part of a step), plus the run of the step (the horizontal part) should equal between 24- and 27-inches. Outdoor Stair Railing Height Ideas Latest Code Correct August 31, 2017 Justin Quinn Home Elements And Style 105 Visited Thirty-six inches is the most common residential height, but some jurisdictions vary. 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