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Stair & railing trip & fall hazards: This series of articles provides details about how to build steps, stairs, and railings, including interior and exterior or outdoor stair & railing codes, stair construction, stair inspection & stair safety hazard guides: beginning here.

We include building code specifications for stairs, steps, rails, stair measurements & sketches, stair & railing photographs, and examples of defects in indoor or outdoor stairs, railings, landings, platforms, treads, and building access ramps. We provide stair code citations for details of how stairs, landings, and railings should be constructed to meet various building codes & standards.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Catalog of Common Stair & Railing Specifications, Stair & Rail Defects & Trip HazardsStairway, Railing, Landing Basic Dimensions & Rules

Stair dimensions (C) Carson Dunlop Associates

Our page top photograph shows an exterior stair extravaganza that looked beautiful. On closer inspection we found that this exterior stairway was not securely supported on the steep rocky hillside over which it had been constructed.

Also see Building Safety Hazards Guide. Here we includeReferences or Citations to key documents on building codes and stair and railing safety.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Because more people are injured by trips and falls than other hazards, experts have looked closely at the specifications for stairs, steps, and rails to reduce the falling hazards.

This work has been translated into stair and railing specifications that are similar among codes and countries (but not identical). -- IBC, IRC, BOCA, Kingston NY Stair Code, & other sources. Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection, education & report writing tool company [ carsondunlop.com ].

Stair and Railing Specification Topics for stair (U.S. and International Residential Codes) include the items listed below.

List of Recommended Stairway & Handrailing Construction, Specifications, & Defects Articles

Following this list we provide sketches and photographs of stair, railing, landing and related codes, construction details and hazards. Also see the detailed list of stairway and railing articles found at the ARTICLE INDEX the bottom of this article under STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS

Scary stairs in Mallorca © D Friedman at InspectApedia.com

[The steep narrow pitched stone steps in our photo (left) connect walkers on two roadways in Mallorca (DF 2002). The builder pitched the steps in towards the stone wall on the left, perhaps to give the stair use an added measure of "safety".

Collapsing stairs White Mtn New Hampshire (C) Daniel Friedman

Stairway Lighting requirements (C) Carson Dunlop AssociatesOur photo (left) shows an interior stairway at the Hacienda Jaral de Berrio, Mexico.

These steps, constructed in the 1700's make successful use of platforms at the stairway turns, but are unsafe, lacking guardrails, handrails, and (due to centuries of wear) level treads.

Tables of Accident Frequency by Type of Event - Frequency of Injuries due to Falls

 
1985 ACCIDENTS: NUMBER OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE UNITED STATES 
AND THEIR TOTAL LIFETIME COSTS (in 1985 dollars)1
CAUSES FATALITIES HOSPITALIZED NON-HOSPITAL LIFETIME COST
(Billion $)
Motor Vehicles 45,923 23,028 4,803,000 $48.7
Falls  12,866 783,357 11,493,000 37.3
Firearms 31,556 65,129  171,000 14.4
Poisonings 11,894  218,554  1,472,000 8.5
Fires/burns 5,671 54,397 1,403,000 3.8
Drownings 6,171 5,564 26,000 2.5
All others 28,487 696,707 35,001,000 42.4
         
Total injuries 142,568' 2,346,736 54,369,000  
Lifetime cost $49.4  $80.0 $28.2  $157.6
Percent of total lifetime cost 31 51 18 100

Notes to the table above

1 Cost of Injuries in the United States and the Role of Building Safety, Jake Pauls BUILDING STANDARDS/July-August, 1991

This hazard pattern has shifted since about 1996 to reflect significant increases in mortality due to drug overdose and firearms. In fact, by the end of 2011 in the U.S. at least, the New York Times reported that for the first time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control had found that drug overdoses represented the leading cause of accidental death, overtaing motor vehicle accidents.[2] However falls remains a very high risk and one which receives less attention than it deserves.

"Falls include both falling to another level -- as in falling from stairs, ladders & windows -- or same level falls such as slipping, tripping & stumbling. Deaths from falls were highest in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Norway, Slovenia & Finland -- and lowest in Albania, Mauritius, Bahamas, Argentina & Chile. (Countries listed in order of death rate.)" Reference: Causes of Death, Ben Best

 
2002 ACCIDENT DATA: TYPES OF DEATHS  2
  ACCIDENT  PERCENT
1 Motor Vehicle 44.3
2 Falls 17.8
3 Poisoning 13
4 Drowning 3.9
5 Fires, Burns, Smoke 3.4
6 Medical Surgical Complication 3.1
7 Other land transport 1.5
8 Firearms 0.8
9 Other (non-transport) 17.8

Notes to the table above

2 National Vital Statistics Report, Volume 50, Number 15 (September 2002)

Risk of Falls, Burns, Poisoning 3

Falls: The highest risk of injury by falls occurs among the elderly. "Falls represent the most frequent non-transportation related accidents occurring among older adults and are the leading cause of home fatalities for this population. Stairways are particularly hazardous for the elderly.

Other types of falls include slipping in bathtubs and showers, slipping on tile or icy terrain, and tripping over objects on the floor. Falls associated with getting in and out of bed, getting on or off a chair, or using the bathroom are also frequent.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2019-08-20 - by (mod) -

What are we discussing: a sewer access cover (secure and properly weight rated is probably fine) or a round pipe interrupting the stairs - a trip hazard.

Perhaps you can attach a photo

On 2018-09-18 by Jeff

Hello, the home builders design put a sewer dead center to the exterior path concrete stairs and I believe it's a dangerous trip hazard not to mention anti Feng shui. Is it against Code? The house is in Reno Nevada Washoe county, thanks
IMAGE LOST by older version of Clark Van Oyen’s useful Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2018-01-04 - by (mod) -

I will do the math and post an example here for you

To as and 71 in you need about 10 7 inch risers. The exact rose is i.1 inches per step.

10 steps us ing a minimum tread depth of 11 in. Is 110 inches of total run.

You'd put your landing mid way, but if ascending through an overhead floor don't forget to check for adequate headroom.

Articles cited above give details of stair dimensions and landings.

On 2018-01-04 by J T

Hi, I have total rise of 71in. and a total run of 80in., at what height do I need a landing to turn? I hope you are able to help me. Thanks.

On 2017-09-26 - by (mod) -

Jenny

The answer to the maximum allowable deck height without railings depends on the local and state or provincial building code regulations and the local building inspector where you live.

Some jurisdictions might allow as much as 30" of elevation without a guardrail, but watch out: someone can be badly injured falling off a deck that is much closer to ground level.

If you are deciding if you want a guardrail or not, opt for safety. It's too easy for someone holding a chicken leg and talking to you to step backwards and fall off of a low deck, breaking various bones besides the chicken-leg.

See DECK & PORCH GUARDRAILINGS https://inspectapedia.com/BestPractices/Deck_Railings.php

On 2017-09-26 by Jenny Wesner

What is the max height of a deck w/o railings?

On 2017-08-09 by Alan Butler

In residential construction, you may have an exterior door open over a 7" step down to the porch.
At what point does a landing become a porch?

Question: is a handrail needed for stairs of just three risers? how about stairs of seven risers?

I have a set of exterior steps on my commercial project in PG county Maryland. Thee stairs consist of seven risers. Do these steps require a handrail? - Robert Traylor

Reply:

Robert:

Beginning at STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS and in detail at STAIR CODES & STANDARDS you'll find specifications on stairs and railings including when railings are required. You don't specify the total rise, and in some communities a total rise of 3 ft or less can be excluded from handrail requirements. But with 7 risers I suspect that a rail is needed.

My OPINION is that even if the rail were not strictly necessary, it would be a smart safety improvement to install one. Someone can be injured even on a small fall, and you note that this is a commercial property - which to me means more responsibility on the property owner and more risk as well.

Question: unstable stairs are unsafe and need to repaired or replaced.

(Mar 25, 2013) Anonymous said:
my daughters steps are rickety
and are so wide can't reach rails on eitherside and those are loose is there a max width fro rsils so people with leg weakness an benifit from them

Reply:

Anon I don't quite understand the question.

But in general, unstable stairs are unsafe and need to repaired or replaced.

And for stairs wider than 36" many codes require railings on both sides; you can certainly add handrailing on the second side of a stairway regardless of code if needed for the safety of specific occupants.

Question: How long of a time period should temporary stairs be used?

(Apr 16, 2014) Anonymous said:
How often should temporary stairs be inspected?

How long of a time period should temporary stairs be used?

Reply:

Good question Anon, I don't know, but OSHA may specify an inspection period. Certainly one would expect an inspection at the time of construction. After that, perhaps the requirement would vary depending on site conditions, usage, etc.
I'll do some research. You want to review OSHA Publication 3124. There no specific period is given, rather the standard states:

Note: A competent person must inspect ladders for visible defects periodically and after any incident that could affect their safe use.

and

Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investigation inspections) for a period of 1 year.

Question: requirements of proper stairs to access an attic utility area

(June 17, 2014) Matt said:
At what point is a riser or step required to access a deck in the attic holding the water heater and A/C unit?

It appears that I must hop up 24 or so inches to get to the A/C? Houston, TX.

Reply:

For an access s uttle that only serves mechanicals stairs may not be required - though other OSHA safety rules may apply for workplace environments.

Question: restrictions to using wood in exterior exit stairs

(July 24, 2014) Kirk Gastinger said:
do you know of restrictions to using wood in exterior exit stairs - type I or II construction? IBC is the local code.

Reply:

No. Stair materials are not restricted to prohibit wood material in structure nor in tread, railing, or balusters; but the addequacy (thickness or dimension) and condition of the stairway have to be adequate and safe so of course if there are rot, connection or other problems those must be addressed.

Question: code on railing on a walk way behind a restaurant , where the restroom is located and the elevation is minimum of 16"?

(Oct 16, 2014) Jerry said:
What is the code on railing on a walk way behind a restaurant , where the restroom is located and the elevation is minimum of 16"? I recently was told to talk to a manager located in the rear of the restaurant i.e. employee entrance door at nite , my back was to the drop off which i miss steeped falling and tearing ligaments in my left knee , as of late i have over 3000$ in medical bills can any body guide me to website to see if this restaurant was in compliance ?

Reply:

Jerry, what's the actual question. It sounds to me as if you are describing a public stairway that requires code-compliant stair tread, riser, handrail dimensions.

It is the case that in some jurisdictions the code inspector may not require handrailings along steps that are less than 3 feet from top to bottom walking surfaces.

Start by checking with your local building department on what they requrie.

Question: How big should a platform be to an out side door with a 7 inch drop

(Jan 16, 2015) Pat said:
How big should a platform be to an out side door with a 7 inch drop

Reply:

Pat,

Details are in the More reading articles above at STAIR PLATFORMS & LANDINGS, ENTRY

in general, a minimum platform is 3 feet in the direction of travel and at least 3 feet or the door width in width, or greater. The step down rise is not a determinant of platform length and width but there are guidelines about platform level and step down riser height.


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STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to STAIRS RAILINGS LANDINGS RAMPS

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