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Stairway Lighting requirements (C) Carson Dunlop AssociatesStair & Railing Codes & Standards

Free PDF downloads of codes & design & build guidelines for stairs ,railing, guardrail
by Country, Province, State or other Jurisdiction

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about about the design requirements and code specifications for building stairs, landings, railings, and guard railings.

This page provides free PDF downloads of various model and adopted building codes & standards for stairs, handrails, guardrailings, and landings.

This article series lists all major building code specifications for stairs, railings, landings, and guardrails - information useful for constructing or inspecting indoor or outdoor stairs, railings, landings, & treads, and for evaluating stairways and railings for safety and proper construction.

We compare stair and railing code requirements for various model, national, state and local building codes and we include explicit text & specifications from those building codes.

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

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Model Building Code Citations for Stairs & Railings + Full Code Texts, Dangers, Safety

Stairway Lighting requirements (C) Carson Dunlop Associates

 

Page Contents

Sketches of stair construction details given above were provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection company, used with permission.

Model & International Stair Ramp & Railing Codes

Stair Ramp & Railing Codes by Country

U.S. Stair Codes

Also use your browser's on-page search function [ Ctrl-F ] to search our directory by state name or state two-letter abbreviation.

Note: if you click on one of the state codes given below and don't find that our page immediately takes you to that state, just post a request at the page bottom box and we'll be glad to add that information -

POST a QUESTION or COMMENT

 

AK  -  AL  -  AR  -  AZ  -  CA  -  CO  -  CT  -  DC  -  DE  -  FL  -  GA  -  HI  -  IA  -  ID  -  IL  -  IN  -  KS  -  KY  -  LA  -  MA  -  MD  -  ME  -  MI  -  MN  -  MO  -  MS  -  MT  -  NC  -  ND  -  NE  -  NH  -  NM  -  NV  -  NJ  -  NY  -  OH  -  OK  -  OR  -  PA  -  RI  -  SC  -  SD  -  TN  -  TX  -  UT  -  VA  -  VT  -  WA  -  WI  -  WV  -  WY

Alaska State Stair Code

Alabama State Stair Code

Alaska State Stair Code

Arkansas

Arizona

California State Stair Code

Colorado State Stair Code

Florida State Building Codes - Stairs & Railings

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Delaware

Georgia Stair & Railing Code

Hawaii

Illinois Stair & Railing Code

Idaho

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky Stair & Railing Code

Louisiana

Massachusetts

Maryland

Maine Stair & Railing - Egress Code

Michigan Stair & Railing Code

Missouri Stair Code

Minnesota State Stair Code

Minnesota adopts the 2018 IRC Section R311.7, Stairways as shown in this example below

Mississippi

Montana State Stair Codes

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Jersey Stair & Railing Codes

New Mexico

Nevada

New York State Residential Building Code Stair Design Specifications

This building code update for stairway design specifications was provided courtesy Arlene Puentes.

R311.5.3.1 Stair Riser Height Codes

The maximum riser height shall be 8 1 / 4 inches (209 mm). The riser shall be measured vertically between leading edges of the adjacent treads. The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3 / 8 inch (9.5 mm).

R311.5.3.2 Stair Tread Depth Code Requirements

The minimum tread depth shall be 9 inches (229 mm). The tread depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a right angle to the tread's leading edge.

The greatest tread depth within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3 / 8 inch (9.5 mm). Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of 10 inches (254 mm) measured as above at a point 12 inches (305) mm from the side where the treads are narrower.

Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of 6 inches (152 mm) at any point. Within any flight of stairs, the greatest winder tread depth at the 12 inch (305 mm) walk line shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3 / 8 inch (9.5 mm).

R311.5.3.3 Stair Tread Nose Profile Code Requirements

The radius of curvature at the leading edge of the tread shall be no greater than 9 / 16 inch (14.3 mm). A nosing not less than 3 / 4 inch (19 mm) but not more than 1 1 / 4 inch (32 mm) shall be provided on stairways with solid risers.

The greatest nosing projection shall not exceed the smallest nosing projection by more than 3 / 8 inch (9.5 mm) between two stories, including the nosing at the level of floors and landings.

Beveling of nosing shall not exceed 1 / 2 inch (12.7 mm).

Risers shall be vertical or sloped from the underside of the leading edge of the tread above at an angle not more than 30 (0.51 rad) degrees from the vertical.

Open risers are permitted, provided that the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a 4-inch diameter (102 mm) sphere.

Exceptions to Stair Tread Nose Requirements:

1.     A nosing is not required where the tread depth is a minimum of 11 inches (279 mm).

2.     The opening between adjacent treads is not limited on stairs with a total rise of 30 inches (762 mm) or less.

Stair Tread Anti-Slip or Coefficient of Friction Recommendations for Safe Walking Surfaces

[Not found in NYS Code]

A walking surface that provides a coefficient of friction of 1.02 dry and 0.98 wet will comply with ADA, OSHA, and most local building codes and insurance requirements.

Other sources (cited in the two articles listed just below) cite a coefficient of friction of 0.5 (OSHA) or 0.6 (ADA) as the minimum recommended COF to avoid slippery walking surfaces and stairways.

See ALGAE ICE FUNGS WET SURFACES & OTHER STAIR SLIP, TRIP & FALL HAZARDS for details.

Also see EXTERIOR STAIR FALLS for a catalog of causes of falls on stairs that includes surface conditions and other defects.

North Carolina

North Dakota Stair Code

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina Stair Code

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas Stair Codes

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington State Stair Codes

West Virginia

Wisconsin Stair Codes

Wyoming

BOCA National Property Maintenance Code

PM-305.5 Stairs and Railings in Good Condition

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.

CPSC Stair Guidelines

HUD Stair Rules

International Building Code 2000 (BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI) Stair & Railing Codes

1003.3.3.4 Stairway Landing Codes

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 (Graspability) Requirements

Handrail graspability demonstrastion (C) Daniel Friedman

Our photo (left) illustrates the author (DF) holding on to a secure, graspable handrail in a building in Bar Harbor, Maine. Also see

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 Handrail or Guardrail Continuity

Handrail-gripping surfaces shall be continuous, without interruption by newel posts or other obstructions.

Also see NEWEL POST CONSTRUCTION

1607.7 Loads on Handrails, guards, grab bars and vehicle barriers

1607.7.1.1 Concentrated Load on Railings

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 Component of Railings and Guardrails

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.

Full Text of IEBC International Existing Building Code & Definitions of Dangerous Building Conditions

By its definition of "existing buildings" this model building code incorporates standards and advice for structures built before current building codes.

Full Text of Adopted Building Codes 2006, 2012, ICC, IRC

The ICC has free, limited, live, online access to some of the latest codes, but I couldn't find the free link for IRC immediately.

The ICC has free, limited, live, online access to some of the latest codes.

Example Stair Code Details

2015/2018/2020 IRC International Residential Code

from Florida Building Code up to 7th Ed (2020)

R311.7 Stairways

R311.7.1 Stairway Width

Stairways shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height.

The clear width of stairways at and below the handrail height, including treads and landings, shall be not less than 311/2 inches (787 mm) where a handrail is installed on one side and 27 inches (698 mm) where handrails are installed on both sides.

Exception: The width of spiral stairways shall be in accordance with Section R311.7.10.1.

R311.7.8 Handrails

Handrails shall be provided on not less than one side of each flight of stairs with four or more risers.

R311.7.8.1 Handrail Height

Handrail height, measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm).

Exceptions:
The use of a volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed over the lowest tread.

Where handrail fittings or bendings are used to provide continuous transition between flights, transitions at winder treads, the transition from handrail to guard, or used at the start of a flight, the handrail height at the fittings or bendings shall be permitted to exceed 38 inches (965 mm).

R311.7.8.2 Handrail Projection

Handrails shall not project more than 41/2 inches (114 mm) on either side of the stairway.

Exception: Where nosings of landings, floors or passing flights project into the stairway reducing the clearance at passing handrails, handrails shall project not more than 61/2 inches (165 mm) into the stairway, provided that the stair width and handrail clearance are not reduced to less than that required.

R311.7.8.3 Handrail Clearance

Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 11/2 inches (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails.

R311.7.8.4 Handrail Continuity

Handrails shall be continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals.

Exceptions:

Handrail continuity shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at a turn in a flight with winders, at a landing, or over the lowest tread.
A volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed to terminate over the lowest tread.

R311.7.8.5 Handrail Grip Size

Required handrails shall be of one of the following types or provide equivalent graspability.

Type I. Handrails with a circular cross section

shall have an outside diameter of not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter of not less than 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 61/4 inches (160 mm) and a cross section of not more than 21/4 inches (57 mm).

Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).

Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than 61/4 inches (160 mm)

shall have a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile.

The finger recess shall begin within 3/4 inch (19 mm) measured vertically from the tallest portion of the profile and have a depth of not less than 5/16 inch (8 mm) within 7/8 inch (22 mm) below the widest portion of the profile.

This required depth shall continue for not less than 3/8 inch (10 mm) to a level that is not less than 13/4 inches (45 mm) below the tallest portion of the profile. The width of the handrail above the recess shall be not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not more than 23/4 inches (70 mm).

Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).

R311.8 Ramps

R311.8.1 Maximum Ramp Slope

Ramps serving the egress door required by Section R311.2 shall have a slope of not more than 1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8.3-percent slope). Other ramps shall have a maximum slope of 1 unit vertical in 8 units horizontal (12.5 percent).

Exception: Where it is technically infeasible to comply because of site constraints, ramps shall have a slope of not more than 1 unit vertical in 8 units horizontal (12.5 percent).

R311.8.2 Ramp Landings Required

There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each ramp, where doors open onto ramps, and where ramps change directions. The width of the landing perpendicular to the ramp slope shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm).

R311.8.3 Ramp Handrails Required

Handrails shall be provided on not less than one side of ramps exceeding a slope of one unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8.33-percent slope).

R311.8.3.1 Ramp Handrail Height

Handrail height, measured above the finished surface of the ramp slope, shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm).

R311.8.3.2 Ramp Handrail Grip Size

Handrails on ramps shall comply with Section R311.7.8.5.

R311.8.3.3 Ramp Handrail Continuity

Handrails where required on ramps shall be continuous for the full length of the ramp.

Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 11/2 inches (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails.

Section R312 Guards Along Ramps

R312.1.1 Where Guards or Guardrailings Are Required

Guards shall be provided for those portions of open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, ramps and landings, that are located more than 30 inches (762 mm) measured vertically to the floor or grade below at any point within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally to the edge of the open side. Insect screening shall not be considered as a guard.

R312.1.2 Guardrailing Height

Required guards at open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, porches, balconies or landings, shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height as measured vertically above the adjacent walking surface or the line connecting the nosings.

Exceptions:

Guards on the open sides of stairs shall have a height of not less than 34 inches (864 mm) measured vertically from a line connecting the nosings.

Where the top of the guard serves as a handrail on the open sides of stairs, the top of the guard shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm) as measured vertically from a line connecting the nosings.

R312.1.3 Guardrail Opening Limitations

Required guards shall not have openings from the walking surface to the required guard height that allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter.

Exceptions:

The triangular openings at the open side of stair, formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail of a guard, shall not allow passage of a sphere 6 inches (153 mm) in diameter.

Guards on the open side of stairs shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 43/8 inches (111 mm) in diameter.

OSHA Regulations for Stair Railings & Guardrails

STAIR RAILS AND HANDRAILS

The following general requirements apply to all stair rails and handrails:

OSHA Regulations for Temporary Stairs & Railings

OSHA Stair, Rail & Guardrail Codes

The following general requirements apply to all stairways used during the process of construction, as indicated:

The following requirements apply to stairs in temporary service during construction:

R311.5.8.1 Spiral Stairway & Circular Stairway Building Codes

2006 IRC Spiral Stair Code Illustration (C) Inspectapedia.com adapted from Juneau AK publication

Above; minimum tread dimensions for a spiral stairway, adapted from the 2006 IRC as published by Juneau AK IRC R311.5. [Click to enlarge any image]

Spiral stairways are permitted for interior use as a component of the means of egress from a habitable room, a basement or an attic, provided the minimum width shall be 26 inches (660 mm) with each tread having a 7 1 / 2 -inch (190 mm) minimum tread depth at 12 inches from the narrower edge.

All treads shall be identical, and the rise shall be no more than 9 1 / 2 inches (241 mm).

A minimum headroom of 6 feet 6 inches (1982 mm) shall be provided. A spiral stair is not permitted to be the only means of egress from a story of a building.

Many codes require use of a guard or rail to prevent walking too close to the inside of a circular stair where the tread dimensions are too small for safe use.

Stair Codes for Spiral Stairs, Curved Stairs, Circular Stairs, Winder Stairs

Curved stair tread dimensions adapted from 2006 IRC as published by Juneau AK (C) InspectApedia.com

Above; minimum tread dimensions for a curved stairway, adapted from the 2006 IRC as published by Juneau AK IRC R311.5. [Click to enlarge any image]

Winder stair tread dimensions from 2006 IRC (C) InspectApedia.com adapted from Juneau AK code

Above; minimum tread dimensions for a Winder stairway, adapted from the 2006 IRC as published by Juneau AK IRC R311.5. [Click to enlarge any image]

 

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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

Code violation to install a playground slide that starts from the floor of a two story deck?

Is it a code violation to install a playground slide that starts from the floor of a two story deck. If it is not, what are the requirements as to the slide itself. Are there side rail height requirements.

Does the access area to the slide at the deck level need to have a gate, etc while it is not in use. Is a gate required at the top of the deck stairs - On 2021-01-28 by Dennis Lynch -

Reply by (mod) - Public Playground Safety: guards & rails at children's slides or sliding boards

Private play area childrens' slide (C) Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.comDennis

I can't cite a national nor model building code that addresses playground slides but there are standards and safety recommendation such as found in this

  • PUBLIC PLAYGROUND SAFETY HANDBOOK - U.S. CPSC [PDF] (2015) U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Md 20814 USA retrieved
    2021/01/28 original source www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/325.pdf

    Excerpt: The recommendations in the Handbook are focused on playground-related injuries and mechanical mechanisms of injury; falls from playground equipment have remained the largest single hazard pattern associated with playground use.

Section 5 in this Public Playground Safety Handbook discusses platforms, guardrails, etc.

and there are pertinent ASTM standards that pertain to playground safety such as

F1148 Home Playground Equipment
F1292 Surfacing
F 355 Surfacing
F1487 Public Use Playground Equipment
F1816 Drawstrings on Children’s Clothing
F1918 Soft Contained Play Equipment
F1951 Testing for ADA Compliance for Surfacing and Equipment
F2049 Fencing
F2088 Infant Swings
F2075 Wood Fiber
F2223 Standard for Surfacing
F2373 Under 2

A copy of these standards may be purchased from ASTM International by calling 877-909-2786 or visiting www.astm.org.

In addition, depending on where you live your state or local building code officials may be able to give you more local standards and guidelines.

Also see

  • CLIMBABILITY of GUARDRAILS: the LADDER EFFECT where we discuss the attractive nuisance hazards of horizontal railings and cable railings where children may be present.
  • National Program for Playground Safety, Tel: 1-800-554-PLAY, Email: playground-safety@uni.edu Website: https://playgroundsafety.org/standards/cpsc hosted by the University of Northern Iowa

Requirements when installing handrails on flat concrete egress areas leading to our entryways

Our condo board in Florida, is considering placing handrails on flat concrete egress areas leading to our entryways. These surfaces have less than a 5% rise and are non-elevated surfaces, level with surrounding earth surfaces. There are no steps or drop offs involved. These handrails are simply to provide residents with a handhold as they walk to and from the building.

What are the FBC requirements involving railings we would need to adhere? When I talk with the local municipality, they seem to feel that the railing requirements applicable, are the same as those for elevated surfaces, stairways, balconies, etc. Is this so? - On 2020-08-22 by Kevin E. Corrigan -

Reply by (mod) - handrail specifications for flat areas

Kevin:your local building code official is the final legal authority on what code officials will require of your handrails along flat walking surfaces.

But in general it would make sense to be sure that your handrails meet the height, graspability, and strength as well as continuity specifications in the model handrail codes such as

HANDRAILS & HANDRAILINGS

Do I need to install hand railings at an old church?

I have an old church built in the 30's with two exit doors at never gets used with no hand rails. Each door has 3 steps, one is shallow other is steep.

I have an opportunity to have hand rails installed but I need to sell the idea to the elders.

Question: Do I need to install hand railings? - On 2020-08-10 by Anonymous -

Reply by (mod) - church exit doors and landings with no handrails

Anon: Once, with a client, I stood in front of an unsafe stair that lacked handrailings and guardrails and explained why the stairs were unsafe: as we spoke his wife stepped out of the building entry and fell down the stairs.

The people entering and leaving a public building like a church include those of all sorts of abilities, including some who literally depend on sound handrails to simply assist themselves in walking up and down stairs.

Others don't care and think they don't need handrails nor stair guards (guardrailings along stairs) until someone is actually falling: which is a bit too late in my opinion.

And in wet or freezing weather, the stair fall risk is very much increased.

Properly built handrails and guards reduce injuries by providing people with an opportunity to prevent, arrest, or reduce the severity of a fall.

In my opinion any competent, reasonable building manager who does not provide safe steps and rails, handrails, guardrails, lighting, etc. is simply not doing his or her job nor meeting a reasonable legal, moral or ethical obligation to their people and to the public.

What's the widest that stair guard or balcony guard balusters can be spaced apart?

Maximum Space for Balusters on stairs and balconies - On 2018-08-09 by Ray Houpt -

Reply by (mod) - Maximum Space for Balusters on stairs and balconies

Typically 4" but see our handrailing, guardrail and baluster articles found in the ARTICLE INDEX for important additional details

 


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STAIR CODES & STANDARDS 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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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

  • 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.
  • [3] Stephenson, Elliott O., THE ELIMINATION OF UNSAFE GUARDRAILS, A PROGRESS REPORT [PDF] Building Standards, March-April 1993
  • [4] "Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
  • [5] Access Ramp building codes:
    • UBC 1003.3.4.3
    • BOCA 1016.3
    • ADA 4.8.2
    • IBC 1010.2
  • [6] 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
  • [7] The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • [8] Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer
  • [9] 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. "
  • [11] The National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST (nee National Bureau of Standards NBS) is a US government agency - see www.nist.gov
    • "A Parametric Study of Wall Moisture Contents Using a Revised Variable Indoor Relative Humidity Version of the "Moist" Transient Heat and Moisture Transfer Model [copy on file as/interiors/MOIST_Model_NIST_b95074.pdf ] - ", George Tsongas, Doug Burch, Carolyn Roos, Malcom Cunningham; this paper describes software and the prediction of wall moisture contents. - PDF Document from NI
  • [12] 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
  • [13] 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
  • [14] 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 ] -
  • [14a] "Visual Interpretation Of The International Residential Code (IRC) 2006 Stair Building Code", The Stairway Manufacturers Association, [Portions of this document reproduce sections from the 2006 International Residential Code, International Code Council, Falls Church, Virginia.},
    The Stairway Manufacturers Association website stairways.org provides free downloads of stairway handrailing profiles and dimensions
  • [17] Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
  • [18] The Staircase, Ann Rinaldi
  • [19] Common Sense Stairbuilding and Handrailing, Fred T. Hodgson
  • [20] The Art of Staircases, Pilar Chueca
  • [21] Building Stairs, by pros for pro, Andy Engel
  • [22] A Simplified Guide to Custom Stairbuilding, George R. Christina
  • [23] Basic Stairbuilding, Scott Schuttner
  • [24] The Staircase (two volumes), John Templar, Cambridge: the MIT Press, 1992
  • [25] The Staircase: History and Theories, John Templar, MIT Press 1995
  • [26] Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
  • [27] "The Dimensions of Stairs", J. M. Fitch et al., Scientific American, October 1974.
  • [28] Stair & Walkway Standards for Slipperiness or Coefficient of Friction (COF) or Static Coefficient of Friction (SCOF)
    • ANSI A1264.2
    • ANSI B101
    • ASTM D-21, and ASTM D2047 
    • UL-410 (similar to ASTM D-21)
    • NSFI 101-B  (National Floor Safety Institute)
    • NSFI Walkway Auditing Guideline (WAG) Ref. 101-A& 101-B (may appear as ANSI B101.0) sets rules for measuring walkway slip resist
    • OSHA - (Dept of Labor CFR 1910.22 does not specify COF and pertains to workplaces) but recognizes the need for a "qualified person" to evaluate walkway slipperiness
    • ADA (relies on the ANSI and ASTM standards) 
  • [29] A. Sacher, International Symposium on Slip Resistance: The Interface of Man, Footwear, and Walking Surfaces, Journal of Testing and Evaluation (JTE), ISSN: 1945-7553, January 1997  [more focused on slipperiness of polished surfaces
  • [42] Stairways and Ladders, A Guide to OSHA Rules, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 3124-12R 2003 - Web Search 05/28/2010 original source: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3124.pdf. OSHA regulations govern standards in the construction industry and in the workforce Quoting from OSHA whose focus is on workplace safety and so excludes discussion of falls and stair-falls in private homes:

    OSHA estimates that there are 24,882 injuries and as many as 36 fatalities per year due to falls from stairways and ladders used in construction.

    Nearly half of these injuries are serious enough to require time off the job--11,570 lost workday injuries and 13,312 non-lost workday injuries occur annually due to falls from stairways and ladders used in construction. These data demonstrate that work on and around ladders and stairways is hazardous.

    More importantly, they show that compliance with OSHA's requirements for the safe use of ladders and stairways could have prevented many of these injuries.     -osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/stairlad.html

  • [43] International Building Code, Stairway Provisions, Section 1009: Stairways and Handrails, retrieved 8/29/12, original source: http://www.amezz.com/ibc-stairs-code.htm [copy on file as IBC Stairs Code.pdf]
  • [44] Model Building Code, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, retrieved 8/29/12, original source: http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/newjersey/NJ_Building/PDFs/NJ_Bldg_Chapter10.pdf, [copy on file as NJ_Bldg_Chapter10.pdf] adopted, for example by New Jersey. International Code Council, 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, Tel: 800-786-4452
  • In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested

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