Stairways: Guide to Stair, Railing, Landing Construction & Inspection InspectAPedia® -
Stair, railing, guardrail, landing, tread, and step specifications & codes
Stair & railing inspection form
Stair & railing safety hazards, photos of defects
Sketches of stair or access ramp design requirements
Attic pull down stair hazards, basement stair hazards
Stair falling hazards, stair specifications, standards, building code references
Ramp falling hazards, slope and anti-slip specifications
ADA specifications for access ramps as a model for ramp safety
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest.
We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices,
false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at
InspectAPedia.com/Contact.htm.
This document provides building code specifications, sketches, photographs, and examples of defects used in inspecting indoor or outdoor stairs, railings, landings, treads, and building access ramps as well as related conditions for safety and proper
construction.
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 Carson Dunlop.
Stair and Railing Specification Topics for stair (U.S. and International Residential Codes) include the items listed below.
Following this list we provide sketches and photographs of stair, railing, landing, and construction details and hazards.
Attic stairs are often non-standard, steep, missing railings; attic folding stairs or pull-down stairs have special requirements for securing, fitting, etc.
Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
"The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
"Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
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)
The Stairway Manufacturers' Association, (877) 500-5759, provides a pictorial guide to the stair and railing portion of the International Residential Code.
The following stair books and other books on stair history, design, and architecture can be purchased at our Amazon-Supported InspectAPedia Bookstore
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. "
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; 2 edition (April 2006), ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
We've had several reports of severe injury involving collapsing attic stairs, including involving home inspectors as well as occupants. Attic & Basement stair defects can be grouped by the stair type as we describe just below.
Basic information is just below. See Attic stairs for full details of this topic.
Conventional or home-made attic or basement stairways
Watch for stairs that do not meet recommended standards for
Step riser height
Step tread width
Missing railings
Stair top landing guardrails missing
Worn, damaged treads
Basement walkout stair cover rotted or loose - a serious child hazard such as shown in our photo
Attic Folding Stairs or Pull-Down Attic Stairs
Watch for these common folding attic stair or ladder defects:
Loose or missing bolts or hardware securing the attic folding stair hinges
Loose or missing bolts securing the stair or ladder treads to the attic stair stringers or sides
Attic folding stairs cut too long, causing a pressure point at the folding hinge, leading to split or broken attic folding stair stringers or sides
Attic pull-down or folding stairs cut too short, perhaps not reaching the floor, leading to an unsafe "hanging" attic stair
Attic folding stairs installed over an existing building stairway such as to a lower floor, attic folding stairs folding down onto or into the lower stairwell (unsafe to enter or exit)
Attic pull down stair spring and hinge bent, loose, broken - risk breaking spring or hinge parts striking users pulling down the stairs
Attic stair frame not properly secured to the ceiling rough opening
Balusters
Basic information is just below. See Balusters & Railing Enclosures for full details of this topic. For more details about balusters (vertical spindles in railing construction) see details at Railings for a discussion of safety barriers along stairs, and Guards (railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies that are more than 30" above floors or grade).
As our photo shows, a toddler (in this case very carefully held and supervised) can easily fall through open landing balusters or open balusters on a stairway.
We often see guards and railings enclosed using horizontal members or mesh or link fencing materials. Because a toddler can easily climb these materials, they are not safe for guard or railing enclosures and should not be used.
We also often see decks and porches more than 30" above ground level with no rail whatsoever, perhaps relying on the placement of plants or furniture to discourage people from stepping too close to the edge. Where building code enforcement was absent or lax we found a deck eight feet above ground with no railings at all. A local inspector opined that because the deck was not attached to the house (it abutted the house) it was exempt from building code enforcement.
Our opinion was that code exemption did not do much to reduce the falling hazard and that guards and railings should be provided regardless.
Exterior Stair Trip Hazards
We also often see trip hazards at exterior stairs and walks, details which may escape some building inspectors. It's common for gravel, dirt, or asphalt to settle inside of the step perimeter made of landscape ties such as shown in our photo. When the wood projection is 1/8" or more above the other walking surface (asphalt in this photo) it's a tripping hazard that should be corrected.
Landscape tie stair edges raised above brick or stone interior - trip hazard (photo at above left)
Landscape tie stair components rotted
Masonry stairs frost-damaged, pitched (photo at above right, Justin Morrill Smith Historic Site, Strafford VT)
Outdoor stairs should be designed so as not to accumulate water on the tread surface (Wet stair tread surfaces become slippery or icy)
Stair Guardrail, Newell Post & Baluster Specs & Defects
Guards or guard rails referred to in stair codes and specifications refer to the safety barrier placed along the open sides of a horizontal walking surface such as a landing, balcony, deck, or porch. The equivalent safety barrier placed along a stairway itself is discussed at >Railings.
Guards (railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies that are more than 30" above floors or grade): required and must be => 36" high
Guards on open side of stairs (of more than 30" above floor) must be => 34" high
Examples of Guard rail & Newell Defects
Guardrail balusters improperly spaced - too far apart, falling hazard or head trap
Guardrail balusters damaged, missing, loose, not secure
Newels or posts not secure, loose
Our photo shows a flimsy metal guardrail that was modified to install along a sloping ceiling, cut, and not properly secured; it led to a fall and serious injuries. In our experience even worse than a missing railing or guard is one which is loose or improperly constructed.
When someone is falling and tries to grab a flimsy collapsing railing, injuries are likely to be increased. In this case which we investigated, a painter on the catwalk where I am standing lost his balance, grabbed the railing to save himself, and fell, tangled in this metal railing, into an adjacent stairwell.
Balusters for Guards & Railings
Stairway handrail & stair balusters & guard details are in this sketch.
Balusters (vertical posts comprising the barrier in guards and railings)
Baluster opening between vertical members (maximum sphere passage <= 4 3/8")
Baluster opening in triangular area below guard bottom rail and stair tread (maximum sphere passage <= 6")
Hand-railing heights are given:
U.S. handrails for stairs with one side against a wall: 30-38"
U.S. handrails at open stairs: 34-38" above the stairs
Canadian stair handrails: 32-36" above the stairs
Wall clearance: Handrails along a wall must have at least 1.5" of clearance between the inside surface of the rail and the wall surface.
Railings should not project into the required width of the stairway by more than 4.5" at or below the handrail height above the stairs.
Handrails or railings are sometimes chosen for their creative or aesthetic appeal such as this handrail filled with running water at el Alhambra in Granada, Spain.
But this is not a particularly easy rail to grasp if one is falling down the slippery brick stairs.
Railings are a critical safety feature on outdoor and indoor stairs, landings, platforms, decks, porches, and similar structures. Some of the fall injury cases we've investigated involved a combination of unsafe stairs and a fall that was made worse when the individual who lost their balance tried to grasp an unsafe handrail.
Railings in stair codes and specifications refer to the safety barrier along steps or stairs. Also see Guards for details about safety railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies - horizontal walking surfaces.
Railing spaced from wall: (=> 1.5" )
Railing projection into stairs (<= 4.5")
Railing height (=> 31.5" one-side-rail, or =>27" with rails on two sides)
Railings: U.S. handrails for stairs with one side against a wall: 30-38"
Railings: U.S. handrails at open stairs: 34-38" above the stairs
Railings: Canadian stair handrails: 32-36" above the stairs
Railing continuity: should be continuous - that is a hand can slide along the rail without interruption from above the top riser to above the bottom riser; rails can be interrupted at a newell post
Stair Handrail Dimensions & Shape
Handrail cross section and size: One of the most frequent fall hazards we encounter are home-made railings that are too small or too large to grasp, or handrails that do not permit continuous grasping along their length.
A handrail made out of a 2x6 set on edge or on flat and run along a stairway cannot be grasped.
Notice that in the Carson Dunlop sketch, baluster separating space is specified as 4 - 6" (in NY the inspectors require 4") to avoid a head trap for small children.
Railing grip size and shape:
(must be able to be grasped)
Round rails: between 1.25" and 2" in diameter
Metal ogee shaped: <= 2.25" across widest dimension
Wood oblate shaped: <= 2.25" across widest dimension
Rectangular shaped: perimeter must be between 4" and 6.25"
Perimeter larger than 6" must have a graspable finger recess (see details at the ASM document link below)
Examples of Stair & Landing Railing Defects
Railing wrong height on stairs (above) or landing (at left) - too low to grasp or too high to grasp, or too low to prevent falling off of a platform, as I'm demonstrating in the right-hand photo above and in the stair landing photo shown here.
Railing loose, not properly secured (litigation photos)
Railing missing
Railing wrong dimension - cannot grasp; railing does not permit continuous grasping over length
Stair Stringer Defects
The stair stringer is the diagonal supporting structure that carries the weight of the stair assembly as well as people using the stairs. You can see a stair stringer along the upper-edge of the set of stairs lying on their edge in our photo at above-right, after the stairs fell from the stair opening (our photo at above left) during a building renovation project. The stair stringer is secured to the structure at stair top, stair bottom, stair sides, depending on where there are building surfaces present.
Some common stair stringer defects we've found include:
Stair stringer poorly secured to the top landing of exterior porches and decks
Stringer loose, rotted, damaged, bowed, not secured to the building side wall where it should be, indoors or out
Rotted stair treads or stringers: watch for rot in wooden stairs, especially at exterior entrances and decks. Where the stair stringer is mounted against a building wall water is often trapped, leading to hidden rot and sudden collapse.
Our photo shows rotting basement stair treads; from the stair top we could see that the entire stairway was twisting and in danger of sudden collapse. The sketch, courtesy Carson Dunlop, predicts stair rot exactly where it's found in our photograph.
Unsafe connections between stair treads and stringers is also often hidden: check for:
Stair treads simply through-nailed from outside the stringer into the ends of the tread. We've seen such stair treads suddenly collapse under load or collapse due to spreading between the stringers. The protruding nails can cause serious cuts while the stair-user is falling.
Stair treads using under-sized cleats and box nails below treads
Stair treads loose and falling because of separation between the stringers
Stair stringer movement, as we cited just above, can lead to separation of the connection between treads and the stringer, leading to stair collapse.
Examine the stringers for bowing and look for gaps at the ends of treads - but beware: separation and gaps may be hidden if the stair treads were set into groove routed into the stringer.
Step riser slope (out of vertical) (<= 30 deg measured from horizontal surface of the tread)
Step risers: open risers are permitted provided the opening will not pass a 4" sphere (child safety)
Stair Riser Defects
Stair risers of uneven height - no variation greater than 0.375 inches is allowed
Stair risers of improper height, too tall
Stair risers of improper height, too short
Bad Deck Stair Example: Nothing is right about the exterior stairs shown in our photo from a 1991 home inspection:
This stair stringer is too-deeply notched and could split;
The stair risers are too high, as our client is showing with our tape.
The stair treads are too narrow.
There is no railing and the height above ground is more than 36".
The deck and platform railing is open with no balusters.
Stair Tread Specifications & Defects
Stair Step Treads
Step tread depth (=> 10") (measured 12" from smaller side of irregular stair shapes such as triangular treads on curves or spirals)
Step tread depth uniformity (<= 3/8" variation)
Stair tread depth for winder stairs (>= 6" at smallest point)
Stair tread uniformity for winder stairs at the 12" walk-line (<= 3/8" variation)
Stair tread slope (out of level on walking surface) - (slope or "rise" must be <= 1 in 48) -- Source: IRC
Another Stair Code Example - Source BOCA 2001.
Stair riser heights shall be 7 inches (178 mm) maximum and 4 inches (102 mm) minimum.
Stair tread depths shall be 11 inches (279 mm) minimum. The riser height shall be measured vertically between the leading edges of adjacent treads. The stair tread depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at right angle to the tread's leading edge.
Stair Step Tread Nose
Tread nose projection past vertical riser below (3/4" to 1 1/2") required on stairs with solid risers (exceptions are below)
Tread nose projection uniformity (<= 3/8" variation)
Tread nose curve radius (=< 9/16")
Tread Nose not required if tread depth is => 11"
Tread Nose not required on open stair treads (open riser
Another Stair Code Example - BOCA 2001.
Stair tread nose projection missing or wrong dimension: (falling hazard on descending) or tread nose extends out too far over tread (risk splitting off or trip on climbing up). Example: A nosing not less than 0.75 inch (19.1 mm) but not more than 1.25 inches (32 mm) shall be provided on stairways with solid risers where the tread depth is less than 11 inches (279 mm). - BOCA 2001.
Examples of stair tread defects
Stair tread loose, broken, damaged, missing
Stair treads of improper dimension in tread depth (does it fit your foot), tread width (the stairway width side to side), riser height, or tread nose dimensions.
Stair tread thickness: too think, split, damaged, worn
Stair tread out of level or pitched. The maximum out of level allowed on a stairway walking surface is 1 unit of rise or fall in 48 units of length - a 2% slope. - BOCA 2001.
Stair tread surface irregular or uneven, slippery with algae, improperly drained (exterior stairs)
Stair treads uneven in width - no variation greater than 0.375 inches is allowed
These steps in Spain were uneven in surface, had no side railing, were too narrow, a bit steep, and had that interesting little swing-out gate (with no platform) leading up to an upper balcony with not much of a railing, as our friend Nuria was contemplating.
Stair Platform or Landing Specs & Defects
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 (<= 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)
Common Stairway & Railing Specifications, & Trip or Fall Hazards
Stairway Lighting Requirements
Stairway Lighting is Required, with light switches at top and bottom of the stairway if the stairs encompass more than three stair treads (Canada) or six stair treads (U.S.).
Stair lighting missing or light switches not present at both top and bottom
Stairs that are Curved or Angled, & Winder Stairs
Angled or Curved stair treads are a particular trip hazard, especially because of the lack of uniformity and because the tread width at the inside of the curve can be too small for safe walking.
Our stair photo at above left shows tricky angled stairs that were squeezed onto a sidewalk in New York City. A passerby agreed to model the risk of falling. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop.
My daughter fell down curved stairs at a shopping mall where the triangular tread hazard was combined with a beautiful, architect-designed handrail that was about 8" in diameter - she was unable to grasp it as she was falling.
The photo shows her sister grasping n added handrail that was welded on to correct this unsafe condition.
The original "fat" hand railing that no one could grasp when falling is along the diagonal-right side of the photo.
Stairway winders or turns involve triangular treads to complete the turn. As the sketch, courtesy Carson Dunlop, shows, only one set of winders should be allowed in a staircase, and the dimensions shown address tripping hazards.
Of course more turns may be involved in a stairway, such as a circular stair.
Closed stair treads using a solid riser are shown at the left of the sketch and open stair treads are shown at the right sketch.
Notice that the minimum stair tread thickness is increased when the stair tread is not supported by a solid riser.
Notes Comparing Building Codes Specifying Stair & Railing Requirements
Sample excerpts of sources which a building code compliance inspector would be expected to cite in support of requiring a properly-designed, properly-secured guard rail include but are not limited to the citations below.
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.
1003.3.3.11.3 Handrail grasp ability. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of at least 1.25 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm) or shall provide equivalent grasp ability. If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of at least 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 6.25 inches (159 mm) with a maximum cross-section dimension of 2.25 inches (57 mm). Edges shall have a minimum radius of 0.125 inch (3.2 mm).
100333.11.4 Continuity. Handrail-gripping surfaces shall be continuous, without interruption by newel posts or other obstructions.
1607.7 Loads on Handrails, guards, grab bars and vehicle barriers
1607.7.1.1 Concentrated Load. Handrail assemblies and guards shall be able to resist a single concentrated load of 200 pounds (0.89kN), applied in any direction at any point along the top, and have attachment devices and supporting structure to transfer this loading to appropriate structural elements of the building.
1607.7.1.2 Components. Intermediate rails (all those except the handrail), balusters and panel fillers shall be designed to withstand a horizontally applied normal load of 50 pounds (0.22 kN) on an area not to exceed one square foot (305mm2) including openings and space between rails.
BOCA National Property Maintenance Code 1993:
PM-305.5 Stairs and railings: all interior stairs and railings shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.
Commentary: Handrails, treads and risers must be structurally sound, firmly attached to the structure, and properly maintained to perform their intended function safely. During an inspection the code official should inspect all stringers, risers, treads, and handrails.
PM-305.6 Handrails and guards: Every handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.
Commentary: This section provides for the safety and maintenance of handrails and guards. See Section PM-702.9 for additional requirements.
PM-702.9 Stairways, handrails and guards: Every exterior and interior flight of stairs having more than four risers, and every open portion of a stair, landing or balcony which is more than 30 inches (762mm) high, nor more than 42 inches (1067mm) high, measured vertically above the nosing of the tread or above the finished floor of the landing or walking surfaces. Guards shall be not less than 30 inches (762mm) high above the floor of the landing or balcony.
Commentary: Handrails are required on all stairs more than four risers in height. Handrails cannot be less than 30 inches nor more than 42 inches above the nosing of the treads (see Figure PM-702.9).
Guards are required on the open side of stairs and on landings and balconies which are more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below. The guard must be at least 30 inches above the floor of the landing or balcony. Guards are to contain intermediate rails, balusters or other construction to reduce the chance of an adult or child from falling through the guard. If the guard is missing some intermediate rails or balustrades, it is recommended that the guard be repaired to its original condition if it will provide protection equivalent to the protection it provided when originally constructed.
Stair, Railing, Landing Inspection Checklist and Worksheet
Odd dimensions of stair tread width, height, depth, nose, low or flimsy stair railings, loose stair components,
and a host of other stair and railing defects are the source of more injuries and more lost time from work
in the United States (and probably other countries) than any other source of injuries after automobile accidents.
If you see a silly railing such as the one in this photograph it may indicate an approach to stair building
that is a red alert for other hazards.
Stair kits and manufactured stairs can be expected to meet
accepted standards for safety but watch out for amateur installations and particularly for site-built stairs
in oddly-shaped locations or in areas of no building code enforcement. This stair inspection checklist assists anyone who
wants to inspect a stairwell by providing a means to document the pertinent measurements, inconsistencies
in dimensions, or other stair and railing hazards or defects.
Notes to Table of Stair & Railing Defects/Checklist
1st Tread = bottom
Structural conditions to
observe include connections, proper number and type of fastener, spans, condition of materials.
Subtle details such as a
wooden exterior stair tread installed upside down (bark side down) can lead to cupping which can cause algae or ice and
a subsequent slip and trip hazard.
Handrails pose special considerations beyond height and security, such as graspability, shape,
condition.
Report other construction details, structural connections, modifications, loose connections, support, posts,
weather exposure/covering, weathering, rot, tread damage, tread nose wear/damage, moss, algae, cupping, splitting, tread
connection and support (below), rail obstructions, rail grip, stairway obstructions, permits & "CO"
obtained/missing)
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
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; 2 edition (April 2006), ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
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. "
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop, and from the InspectAPedia bookstore. The 2010 edition of the Home Reference Book 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. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
"The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
"Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
Access Ramp building codes:
UBC 1003.3.4.3
BOCA 1016.3
ADA 4.8.2
IBC 1010.2
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 standards)
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. "
Humidity: What indoor humidity should we maintain in order to avoid a mold problem?
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)
The Stairway Manufacturers' Association, (877) 500-5759, provides a pictorial guide to the stair and railing portion of the International Residential Code.
How to Clean Moldy Wood Framing & Sheathing How to clean/seal mold from/on exposed lumber or plywood subfloor or roof sheathing indoors - some suggestions based on our field and laboratory research
Lighting, proper use of: proper aiming of a good flashlight can disclose hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on walls.
Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
Mold-Resistant Building Practices, advice from an expert on how to prevent mold after a building flood and how to prevent mold growth in buildings by selection of building materials and by anti-mold construction details.
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; 2 edition (April 2006), ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
InspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map
