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Stairway Landings & Platforms: Codes, Construction & Inspection
- PLATFORMS & LANDINGS, ENTRY & STAIR - Stair & entry platform & landing codes, design requirements & slip, trip & fall hazards, including stair landing platform specifications, codes & safety inspection points
- Stairway landing requirements for stair turn or entry platform width
- Stair & entrance platform or landing defects & hazards risking fall injuries
- Sketches of stair landing or platform design requirements
- Trip slip and fall hazards at interior and exterior building platforms, landings, & entrances
- Questions & Answers about stair codes & landing or platform requirements
- References
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Stair & entrance landing & platforms: building stairway codes specify the size and placement requirements for safe, accessible stairway landings & platforms. This document provides building code specifications, sketches, photographs, and examples of defects used in inspecting the platforms or landings used with indoor or outdoor stairs for building entrances, decks, porches, or interior building stairs.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Photo & Code Guide to Stair & Entry Platform & Landing Codes, Design Requirements & Slip, Trip & Fall Hazards
Model & Example Building Code Specifications for Stairway Landings
Stairway platform & landing requirements & codes are summarized here. For a complete list of articles on stairs, railings, and ramps, their inspection, trip hazards, and good design, see STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS - INSPECTIONS, CODES. Or see these detailed articles on specifications for proper dimensions for stairs, railings, platforms
Summary of Recommended Stairway Landing Platform Length (run or dimension in direction of travel) & Landing Platform Width
The minimum recommended stair landing length is 36" (or a length and width sufficiently greater than the swing of the door if a wider door is present). This stairway landing or platform dimension is often also expressed as "a minimum of 36-inches in the direction of travel. But note that not all model building codes explicitly require the 36" dimension and instead commonly state that in the direction of travel the landing dimension shall be no less than the width of the stairway.
This means that where codes like the IBC require a public access stairway (occupancy of more than 50) to be at least 44-inches wide, the platforms will have to be 44-inches in the direction of travel as well; the same IBC permits a 36-inch wide stairway for occupancies of 50 or less, thus permitting the stairway length of 36 inches in the direction of travel. - IBC 1009.4 Stairway Landings.
The UBC describes landing specifications as:
Landings shall have a width of not less than the width of the stair ... and a length measured in the direction of travel of not less than 36" - UBC 1003.3.1.6 & UBC 3.3.1.7
Building Code Citations for Stairway Platforms & Landings
Some different stair landing code or standard examples include:
Stairway Landings.
There shall be a floor or landing at the
top and bottom of each stairway. The
width of landings shall not be less than
the width of stairways they serve. Every
landing shall have a minimum
dimension measured in the direction of
travel equal to the width of the stairway.
Such dimension need not exceed 48
inches (1219 mm) where the stairway
has a straight run. - IBC Stairs Code 1009.4
Stairways must have a landing, top and bottom, equal to the width of stairs. The minimum dimension
measured in the direction of travel shall equal to the width of the stairway, but need not exceed 48” where the stairway has
a straight run. Doors opening onto a landing shall not reduce the landing to less than one-half the required width. When
fully open, the door shall not project more than 7” into a landing. - Alameda CA Residential Stairway, Handrail, and Guardrail Minimum Code Requirements.
Stairways that will not be a permanent part of the structure on which construction work is being performed shall have landings of not less
than 30 inches (76 cm) in the direction of travel and extend at least 22 inches (56 cm) in width at every 12 feet (3.7 m) or less of vertical
rise. - OSHA 1926.1052(a)(1)
There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of
each stairway. The width of landings shall not be less than
the width of stairways they serve. Every landing shall have
a minimum dimension measured in the direction of travel
equal to the width of the stairway. Such dimension need
not exceed 48 inches (1 219 mm) where the stairway has
a straightway has a straight run. - Florida Building Code, 1009.4 Stairway Landings
Exceptions:
1. Aisle stairs complying with Section 1025.11.
2. Doors opening onto a landing shall not reduce the
landing to less than one-half the required width.
When fully open, the door shall not project more
than 7 inches (178 mm) into a landing. - Florida Building Code, 1009.4 Stairway Landings
And though it should go without saying, the recommended stairway landing or platform width is equal to the stairway width. The platform or walking surface can be wider, of course, such as occurs when stairs end at a balcony, deck, or walkway.
Landing requirements for access ramps are discussed separately at RAMPS, ACCESS
Is No Stair Top Landing Required if Door Opens Away?
We often find older one and two family homes at which a door opens directly onto a stairway without a top landing platform. Some opine that if the door swings into a room, away from that top step, the hazard is reduced and a landing is not required. In fact a landing on both sides of a door is recommended for practical reasons and is required by some codes: Here is how the Florida Building Code describes landings at doors:
There shall be a floor or landing on each side of a door. Such floor or landing shall be at the same elevation on each
side of the door. Landings shall be level except for exterior landings, which are permitted to have a slope not to exceed
1 unit vertical in 50 units’ horizontal (2-percent slope). - Florida Building Code 1008.1.4 2007
Landings shall have a width not less than the width of the
stairway or the door, whichever is the greater. Doors in the
fully open position shall not reduce a required dimension by
more than 7 inches (178 mm). When a landing serves an
occupant load of 50 or more, doors in any position shall not
reduce the landing to less than one-half its required width.
Landings shall have a length measured in the direction of
travel of not less than 44 inches (1 118 mm). - Florida building Code, 1008.1.5 Landings at doors.
During its swing, any door in a means of egress shall
leave unobstructed at least one half of the required width
of an aisle, corridor, passageway, or landing, nor project
more than 7 inches (178 mm) into the required width of an
aisle, corridor, passageway or landing, when fully open.
Doors shall not open immediately onto a stair without a
landing. The landing shall have a width at least equal to
the width of the door. See Section 1027 for door swing in
Group E occupancies. - Florida Building Code 1008.1.8.8
International Building Code 2000 (BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI)
1003.3.3.4 Stairway landings. There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway. The width of landings shall not be less than the width of stairways they serve. Every landing shall have a minimum dimension measured in the direction of travel equal to the width of the stairway. Such dimension need not exceed 48 inches (1219 mm) where the stairway has a straight run.
As you can see in our photo at left, a door is opening out over a stairwell and no landing is provided.
Because the ergonomics of a person placing their hand on a doorknob and opening the door tends to guide where they put their foot in stepping out and down, the absence of a landing here is a serious trip and fall hazard that is prohibited by building codes and by good construction practice.
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Model Building Code Stairways & Landings Specifications - E.G. California Building Code
Landings must have a width and a dimension measured in the direction of travel not less than the width of the
stairway. Doors in the fully open position shall not reduce a required dimension by more than 7 inches.
All exterior doors shall have a landing immediately on the exterior side. These landings shall be as wide as the
door and a minimum of 36 inches in the direction of travel. These landings must be no more than 8 inches
below the interior floor level. If the door swings out over the landing this dimension is 1 inch maximum.
An interior door at the top of a flight of stairs need not have a landing at the top of the stairs, provided the door
swings away from the stairs. [37]
Stairway Landing Requirements at Stair Tops or Building Entries
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The minimum recommended stair landing length is 36" (or a length and width sufficiently greater than the swing of the door if a wider door is present.
Notice that a stair top landing is not required if the door at the top of the stair opens away from the stairwell.
Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates.
Stairwell width and stair landing platform requirements are summarized by this sketch.
The minimum recommended stair width is between 34" and 36" ACROSS.
In these sketches required handrails have been omitted for clarity.
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Stair Platform or Landing Specifications & Defects
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Stair Landings are required at top and bottom (with exceptions at top of interior stairs or in garage if door swings in, away from the stairs)
- Stair landing minimum size in direction of travel greater than or equal to three feet (>= 36")
Examples of Stair Platform or Landing Defects
- Guardrail or handrail not secured or wrong height;
- Stair platform missing where required (total rise between floors > 12' for example)
- Stair platform improper size or location
- Landing is pitched, sloped, or damaged (trip hazard)
Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates. Technical editing, Debora Abele. |
Exceptions to Minimum Stairway Landing or Platform Dimensions: non-public-access
In industrial settings where there may be special requirements for maintenance of equipment but not normal walking traffic, a landing or platform requirement will differ. For example the Pennsylvania Stair Code describes "Oiling Platforms" and includes this text:
Oiling platforms shall be constructed in a permanent and substantial manner at least 18 inches in
width with a standard railing along one side. Toeboards are not required on oiling platforms. - PA 47.271. New Platforms
Industrial equipment access stairs and landings
that serve as a component of the means of
egress from the involved equipment and do not
serve more than 20 people shall be permitted to
have a minimum clear width of 22 inches (559
mm), minimum tread depth of 10 inches (254
mm), maximum riser height of 9 inches (229 mm),
minimum headroom of 6 feet 8 inches (2 032
mm), and a maximum height between landings of
12 feet (36 576 mm). - Florida Building Code, 1009.3 Stair Treads and Risers, Exceptions, exception No. 6.
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Special Interior & Exterior Stairway Platforms and Landing Trip and Fall Hazards
Unsafe Doors that Swing Out Over a Landing or Step
As our friend is demonstrating at his home near Rabat, in Morocco, it can be very difficult to open a door that swings out over a step while you're standing on the step.
Like the example shown above, this is a trip hazard but in this case also it's also difficult to enter the building at all.
While standing on the step the person trying to open the door has to step backwards, down the steps, while opening this security door.
ALso the steps themselves are a bit slippery and have no railing installed. |
Window in the Stairwell May Be Unsafe or Require Guardrails
The stairway landing shown at left includes a window that lacks a guard railing or safety glass. Someone who falls down these stairs is at risk of suffering extra severe injuries should they fall into and break the window glass, or worse, fall right through the window.
In Poughkeepsie NY our neighbor, a retired dentist, Dr. S., was returning from a night-time bathroom visit when, elderly, frail, and confused in the dark, he turned left instead of right.
Thinking he was walking down a level hallway he instead stepped into air and fell down a stair such as this one. He never completely recovered from the injuries suffered in that stair fall.
Safety glazing or window guards are required for locations such as that shown in our photograph. Here are two example building code citations:
The following shall be considered specific hazardous
locations requiring safety glazing materials: ...
10. Glazing adjacent to stairways, landings and
ramps within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally of
a walking surface; when the exposed surface of
the glass is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above
the plane of the adjacent walking surface.
11. Glazing adjacent to stairways within 60 inches
(1524 mm) horizontally of the bottom tread of
a stairway in any direction when the exposed
surface of the glass is less than 60 inches (1524
mm) above the nose of the tread. - Florida Building Code 2406.3 Hazardous Locations.
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Exterior Stairway or Entry Platforms and Landing Slip Trip & Fall Hazards
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 The entry platform or landing at exterior stairs must comply with size and guardrail requirements as do interior stairs and landings. In addition, because of weather exposure entry platforms are at risk of additional slip trip and fall hazards from water, snow and ice, or algae and moss.
Our photo (left) illustrates several problems with this building entry platform including:
- The platform is covered in moss and algae making it slippery, especially when wet
- The platform pitches towards a building, worse, towards an inside corner, trapping water against the building - it does not drain properly
- The concrete platform was poured right against building siding, providing a protected entry path into the structure for wood destroying insects. The aluminum siding is not an insect-proof barrier.
- The combination of platform poured against siding and poor drainage sending water towards the house walls increases the risk of insect attack as well as ice formation in winter at this New York home.
- More examples of algae growth and slip fall hazards are at Exterior Stair Falls. Algal growth can be removed from outdoor steps using a power washer with or without cleaners such as the products described at STONE CLEANING METHODS
- Example code pertaining to water accumulation (or snow, ice etc) on exterior stairway landings & platforms:
504.7 Wet Conditions.
Stair treads and landings subject to wet conditions shall be designed to prevent the accumulation of water. - Florida Handrail Code
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about stairway landings & platforms
Question:
 If you have a very large steele reservoir (100ft vertical) and you want to put stairs to the stop with a landing that includes guardrails; at what height would you put the top stair rail. Can you combined a stair rail system with a potential guardrail system. - Anon 10/9/2012
Reply:
Anon your top guardrail needs to meet the height requirements for balconies and landings - typically 43-inches along horizontal walking surfaces such as a landing platform. And yes, as you can see in our photograph (above left) it is possible to combine a stair-guardrail with a handrailing along a stairway.
Most codes want the stair guard to also be 42-inches in heigh but will allow that to drop to 34-inches if the top of the stair guard is also to serve as a handrail. However as you see in our CIA photo, it's not difficult to add a lower handrailing along a 42-inch stair guard.
Question: how to convert degrees of slope to rise and run for a stairway
Stairway at 38 degrees: what is the rise and foot? - George Tubb
Reply:
George
There is no single answer, since we could choose different tread depths or "runs" that would give different tread rises or heights. But we can pick a desired step run or depth or step height or rise, and calculate the second number with the help of a calculator that will convert an angle in degrees using the Tan (tangent) function.
For a stair with a 38 degree slope (which is a bit too steep by the way), a ten-inch tread depth (or run) will give you a riser height of 7.8" (a little high).
I have published the details of this procedure along with some drawings at
STAIR RISE & RUN CALCULATIONS
Question: door swings away from steps - do I need a platform or landing?
If I am installing a door at the top of a stairway in a commercial application and the door swings away from the stairs how big of a landing (space from the door to first step) is needed? - Mickey 2/13/2013
Reply:
Mickey,
The minimum stairway top landing width is given above as 34-36" across.
The minimum top landing depth - distance out from the door should still be at least 36".
Why? After all, the door swings away from the landing in your case.
People need somewhere safe to stand when locking, unlocking, opening, and preparing to enter or exit from a door. Imagine standing on a 10-inch deep stair tread, holding an armload of groceries, fishing for your door key. You'd sure prefer a place of greater size, maybe even space to put down that bag of food. All of the building codes I have reviewed want a landing at the stair top. A doorway that opens onto a stair is a fall hazard regardless of which way the door swings. This is reflected in our code citations in the article above.
Question: last stair tread is high (15-inches) and there is no landing platform. Does this comply with code?
i have wood stairs exiting the house they go down to the ground the last tread is 15 inches up the stairs are resting on some flat rocks no concrete or platform are these code - Ray 3/15/2013
Reply: No.
Ray:
No, your stairs are not safe and should be considered code compliant for at least these reasons:
Step riser is too high,
Step risers are not of consistent height,
Steps end without a smooth, properly-sized landing platform.
Question: how to balance headroom vs. landing length vs. building obstruction
 I am finishing my basement and planning to install a landing at the bottom of the stairway that will be 2 steps (one actual step) down to the floor. The landing step will be to the left of the landing as you walk down.
My question is - since there is no door at the bottom of the steps, is there still a requirement that the landing be 36" deep? I will have a railing at the back of the landing (and there will be a wall to the right).
Due to the proximity of a support post, the landing will only be 2'9" deep, unless I come back up another step and have three steps down from the landing. But if I do that, there will be less head clearance in stepping from the landing onto the first step. Thanks - Rick 3/20/2013
Reply:
Rick,
Typically building stair codes specify that in the direction of travel the stairway landing or platform shall have a dimension at least as great as the width of the stairway. So if your stairs are 36-inches wide the codes want the platform to run 36-inches in the direction of travel. This can be tricky because in some jurisdictions codes specify varying minimum stairway widths. An IBC Stair code, for example, can call for a minimum width of 44 inches for public stairways and a minimum width of 36 inches for "stairways serving an occupant load of 50 or less) - IBC 1009.1 And
(f) Landings. Every landing shall have a dimension measured in the direction of travel equal to the width of
the stairway. ... - California Title 24, Part 2, Section 3305(e) (f)
In one approach the builder would back up far enough from the end of the stairs to have room for a full width landing, insert the landing there and then continue the stairs down to the left. This might mean that the landing is two or even three steps higher, to get enough room away from an obstructing wall found in the direction of run of the stairs.
The user would walk down stairs, and near the end, step onto a full-sized landing, make a left turn, walk across the landing, and continue one or two or however many necessary additional steps to get down to the finished floor.
Competing Stair Measurement Requirements: headroom, landing length & width, & building obstructions
But our email discussion you point out a competing difficulty: moving the landing up one stair tread runs into a headroom clearance with the floor above.
As I understand your illustration (above left), the problem is that making the landing length (in direction of travel) equal to the width of what I am guessing is a 36-inch wide stairway means that you'd have to build the platform out intruding into the otherwise free space of the room below. And even if you did so, you have a supporting post that intrudes back into the walking space.
2'9" = 33-inches in the direction of travel. If your stairway is 36-inches in width, then typical codes want the run direction of the landing to also be 36-inches. In my OPINION, if your stair landing run is close to 36" - say 35 or maybe even 34" excepting for the intrusion of the post itself (which narrows the width of the landing right at its exit onto that final step), in recognizing the difficulty of fitting everything into the existing space, your local building code inspector may elect to accept your stairs as drawn.
If the inspector will not accept your stair as drawn, you may have to open the ceiling, install blocking or headers to allow you to move the post over to get enough room, then intrude the landing those few inches into the room beyond. In my experience, going to the building department and asking for help gets the inspector on your side rather than casting her or him as someone to "get by". Try it and let me know what you're told.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
 Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
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Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
- Eric Galow, Galow Homes, Lagrangeville, NY. Mr. Galow can be reached by email: ericgalow@gmail.com or by telephone: 914-474-6613. Mr. Galow specializes in residential construction including both new homes and repairs, renovations, and additions.
- [1] Yale University
Guidelines for Undergraduate Theatrical Productions and Special Events, Yale University’s Office of Undergraduate Productions,
Office of the Fire Marshal, and Office of Environmental Health & Safety
April 2005, web search 8/9/11, original source: http://www.yale.edu/oup/forms/pdf/guidelines.pdf
- [2] CUE40303 Certificate IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Operations), Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations, web search 8/9/11, original source: https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/cib_vto/cibs/documents/cue40303.pdf
- [3] Electrical Safety in the Theatre, Broadway Press, web search 8/9/11, original source: http://www.broadwaypress.com/PDFs/LTSpdfs/LTSchpt13.pdf - quoting:
Referring to the NEC will provide the technician with details
specifically related to the theatre and moreover, these regulations will
be better suited to the needs of the theatre.
- [4] Illustrated theatre production guide, John Holloway, Focal Press, 2002, ISBN 0240804937, 9780240804934
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Note that Mr. Teague warns that his designs and advice do not comply with building codes.
- [6] OSHA Publication 3124 - Stairways and Ladder, web search 12/21/11, OSHA Publications Office
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101
Washington, DC 20210
Telephone (202) 693-1888 or
fax to (202) 693-2498. Original source: osha.gov/Publications/ladders/osha3124.html
- [7] "The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
- [8] "Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
- [9] "The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
- [10] Lighting, proper use of: proper aiming of a good flashlight can disclose hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on walls.
- [11] The Stairway Manufacturers' Association, (877) 500-5759, provides a pictorial guide to the stair and railing portion of the International Residential Code. [copy on file as http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf ] -
- [12] A HREF="http://astore.amazon.com/inspectapedia-20?node=14&page=2">Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen, Jon R. Abele, Alvin S. Hyde, Cindy A. LaRue, Lawyers and Judges Publishing; ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
- [13] Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
- [14] The Staircase, Ann Rinaldi
- [15] Common Sense Stairbuilding and Handrailing, Fred T. Hodgson
- [16] Falls and Related Injuries: Slips, Trips, Missteps, and Their Consequences, Lawyers & Judges Publishing, (June 2002), ISBN-10: 0913875430 ISBN-13: 978-0913875438
"Falls in the home and public places are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States, but are overlooked in most literature. This book is unique in that it is entirely devoted to falls. Of use to primary care physicians, nurses, insurance adjusters, architects, writers of building codes, attorneys, or anyone who cares for the elderly, this book will tell you how, why, and when people will likely fall, what most likely will be injured, and how such injuries come about. "
- [17] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen, Jon R. Abele, Alvin S. Hyde, Cindy A. LaRue, Lawyers and Judges Publishing; ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
- [18] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Second Edition, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen,A. S. Hyde, Jon R. Abele, ISBN-13: 978-1-933264-01-1 or
ISBN 10: 1-933264-01-2,
available from the publisher, Lawyers ^ Judges Publishing Company,Inc., www.lawyersandjudges.com sales@lawyersandjudges.com and also from the InspectAPedia Bookstore (Amazon.com)
- [19] Arts, Crafts, & Theater Safety (ACTS), 181 Thompson Street, #23
New York, NY 10012-2586
Telephone: (212) 777-0062
E-Mail: ACTSNYC@cs.com, web search 5/9/12, website: http://www.artscraftstheatersafety.org/ - Quoting:
ACTS is a not-for-profit corporation that provides health, safety, industrial hygiene, technical services, and safety publications to the arts, crafts, museums, and theater communities. A part of the fees from our consulting services goes to support our free and low-cost services for artists. We gratefully accept donations, but do not solicit them from the artists who call here for help and advice. We recognize that artists and performers are among the least affluent groups in society.
ACTS also will not accept money or take advertising in our publications from manufacturers of artists materials or businesses whose interests could conflict with ours. We want artists to know that we have no financial incentive to make our product and safety recommendations.
- [20] Access Ramp building codes:
- UBC 1003.3.4.3
- BOCA 1016.3
- ADA 4.8.2
- IBC 1010.2
- [21] Access Ramp Standards:
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Public Law 101-336. 7/26/90 is very often cited by other sources for good design of stairs and ramps etc. even where disabled individuals are not the design target.
- ANSI A117.4 Accessible and Usable buildings and Facilities (earlier version was incorporated into the ADA)
- ASTM F 1637, Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, (Similar to the above standard
- [22] The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart
- [23] Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer
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- [25] Mobile Home Inspections common defects unique to factory built housing, inspection methods,
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST (nee National Bureau of Standards NBS) is a US government agency - see www.nist.gov
- [26] The Art of Staircases, Pilar Chueca
- [27 Building Stairs, by pros for pros, Andy Engel
- [28] A Simplified Guide to Custom Stairbuilding, George R. Christina
- [29] Basic Stairbuilding, Scott Schuttner
- [30] The Staircase (two volumes), John Templar, Cambridge: the MIT Press, 1992
- [31] The Staircase: History and Theories, John Templar, MIT Press 1995
- [32] Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
- [33] BUILDING, FIRE, RESIDENTIAL CODES - The 2007 & 2010 California Building Code (Part 2), California Residential Code (Part 2.5) and the California Fire Code (Part 9) of Title 24 are available for viewing online via the following International Code Council web site link: California Codes, Title 24, Part 1, 6, 8, 10, 11 & 12 are also available for viewing and download in PDF form on the California website: 2007 Edition of the California Building Codes or see2010 Edition (Effective Jan. 1, 2011) of the California building codes. For a summary page accessing all of the California building codes see http://www.bsc.ca.gov/pubs/codeson.aspx
- [34] "Guard Rail Height", CREIA, California Real Estate Inspection Association, Website: http://ask.creia.org, web search 8/1/12 original source: http://ask.creia.org/index.php?topic=424.0, December 2009
- [35] California Department of Industrial Relations - CA/OSHA: California Stair & Railing Code details: Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders,
Group 1. General Physical Conditions and Structures Orders,
Article 2. Standard Specifications, Section 3214. Stair Rails and Handrails, web search 8/1/12, original source: http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3214.html
- [36] California Department of Industrial Relations - CA/OSHA: California Stair & Railing Code details: Subchapter 4. General Industry Safety Orders,
Article 17. Ramps, Runways, Stairwells, and Stairs, Section 1626. Stairwells and Stairs., web search 8/1/12, original source: http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1626.html
- [37] California Building Code, Nonstructural Design Requirements, web search 08/01/12 original source: http://sanbruno.ca.gov/comdev_images/California_Building_Code.pdf
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
- Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
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