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Stair Headroom Codes
Codes on objects projecting into stairways
- POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about stair codes & requirements for stair or step minimum width & headroom
Stairway headroom & width codes & requirements:
Clearances for Stair Construction & Inspection; ADA standards for projecting hazard clearances. This document provides building code specifications, sketches, photographs, and examples of the stair passage width & stair overhead clearance or head room needed for indoor or outdoor stairs.
How much space is needed over steps or stairs, and exactly where should those measurements be taken?
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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
Stairway Height, Width, Headroom Requirements
Stairway overall height, width, and headroom requirements & codes are detailed here.
At page top our photograph shows an inadequate head room clearance in a narrow stairway in a home in Beacon, New York. This home sports a narrow stairwell with angled treads, no handrailings, and ... well, not much headroom. Multiple trip, slip, fall and bang hazards.
[Click to enlarge any image]
On the other hand, the cost of a stair re-build in this home would be steeper than the stairway. For a stairway not in regular use or not between living areas in an older home not forced to meet current building standards, the compromise of substituting caution for cost may be acceptable.
Our stair headroom measurement photo uses the vertical red arrow to show where headroom clearance should be measured at a stairwell:
Definition of stair headroom: or stair overhead clearance is the vertical distance measured between the outer edge of the stair tread surface (close to the stair tread rounded nosing), and the under-side of the ceiling above.
Specifications for Stairway Overhead Clearance: Headroom
- Stairway headroom should be greater than or equal to six feet eight inches between the stair tread upper surface measured at the tread outer edge, and the ceiling above.
Stairway headroom should be => 6'8" over tread or landing - Stairway maximum height (the total rise of the stairway from level floor to level floor) should be limited to twelve feet between floors if no landings are included.
Re-stating this for clarity:
Stair way headroom should be 12' or less between floors - or restated, the total rise for a set of steps between floors should be less than or equal to twelve feet.
This means landings could be required if the total rise height of a stairway is more than 12 ft.
Sketch at left provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection, education & report writing tool company [ carsondunlop.com ].
Model & Example California Building Code Specifications for Stairway Headroom Requirements
Every stairway must have a headroom clearance of not less than 6'8" measured vertically from the plane of the tread nosing to the soffit above at all points. [37]
How to balance headroom vs. landing length vs. building obstruction
Details about headroom requirements over stairs are at
Here we discuss a problem of running into a head-room problem when changing the location or dimension of a stairway landing.
Reader Question: 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".
U.S. ADA Protruding Object Standards Require a Barrier or Guardrail Under Stairways & Stairwells-Headroom
Reader Question: ADA citation for requirement of barrier guard to avoid head injury beneath stairways - for the visually impaired
15 March 2015 Angie said:
I'm in Oregon and looking for the ADA code for guardrail under stairwells.
All I can seem to find are pictures of 27" high, but no documentation attached.
Can anyone point me in the right direction.
[Click to enlarge any image]
Reply
Hi Angie, you ask an important question. The specific ADA citation that accompanies the illustration that you found is:
307.4 Vertical Clearance. Vertical clearance shall be 80 inches (2030 mm) high minimum. Guardrails
or other barriers shall be provided where the vertical clearance is less than 80 inches (2030 mm) high.
The leading edge of such guardrail or barrier shall be located 27 inches (685 mm) maximum above the
finish floor or ground.
At above left is the ADA Standards to which you refer. The illustration suggests that a barrier be erected beneath stairways or in stairwells in which there would be a risk of head injury to a walker below the stairs if s/he could not see the down-sloping under-side of the overhead portion of the rising stairway.
The hazard of concern is that the underside of a stairway would be an overhead hazard when there are less than 80 inches of head room provided unless there is a cane-detectable barrier. I suspect the reason you didn't find this citation easily yourself is that it appears under the ADA's standards regarding protruding object hazards.
The illustration suggests that a barrier be erected at a maximum height of 27" (685 cm) above the walking surface and at a distance such that the overhead clearance would first be less than 80" (2030 cm). This illustration is cited from the 2010 ADA STANDARDS AT A U.S. Government website providing information and technical assistance on the ADA - the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This interpretation of the ADA appears in settlement agreements that are part of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division's Project Civic Access cited below.
The requirement for a cane-detectable barrier below stairways also appears in legal documents regarding settlements with other agencies besides the various civic entities in the U.S., such as other public forums and facilities including Lincoln Center in New York City (cited below).
We cite the ADA source of this specification and we note that this requirement has been cited in several legal proceedings and settlements.
Citations on cane detectable barriers & stairways
- ADA Standards regarding protruding object hazards: 2010, in ADA Standards for Accessible Design, United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, - retrieved 15 March 2015, original source http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAStandards.pdf
Quoting from portions of ADA 307.2
307 Protruding Objects [into a stairway]
307.1 General. Protruding objects shall comply with 307.
307.2 Protrusion Limits. Objects with leading edges more than 27 inches (685 mm) and not more than 80 inches (2030 mm) above the finish floor or ground shall protrude 4 inches (100 mm) maximum horizontally into the circulation path.
EXCEPTION: Handrails shall be permitted to protrude 4½ inches (115 mm) maximum.
Advisory 307.2 Protrusion Limits. When a cane is used and the element is in the detectable range, it gives a person sufficient time to detect the element with the cane before there is body contact. Elements located on circulation paths, including operable elements, must comply with requirements for protruding objects.
For example, awnings and their supporting structures cannot reduce the minimum required vertical clearance. Similarly, casement windows, when open, cannot encroach more than 4 inches (100 mm) into circulation paths above 27 inches (685 mm).
307.3 Post-Mounted Objects. Free-standing objects mounted on posts or pylons shall overhang circulation paths 12 inches (305 mm) maximum when located 27 inches (685 mm) minimum and 80 inches (2030 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.
Where a sign or other obstruction is mounted between posts or pylons and the clear distance between the posts or pylons is greater than 12 inches (305 mm), the lowest edge of such sign or obstruction shall be 27 inches (685 mm) maximum or 80 inches (2030 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.
EXCEPTION: The sloping portions of handrails serving stairs and ramps shall not be required to comply with 307.3.
307.4 Vertical Clearance. Vertical clearance shall be 80 inches (2030 mm) high minimum. Guardrails or other barriers shall be provided where the vertical clearance is less than 80 inches (2030 mm) high. The leading edge of such guardrail or barrier shall be located 27 inches (685 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground. EXCEPTION: Door closers and door stops shall be permitted to be 78 inches (1980 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground. - ADA Standards for Accessible Design:
- ADA STAIR & RAIL SPECIFICATIONS - ADA specs on stair treads, railings, dimensions.
- "Attachment L: Programs Housed in Others' Facilities", Item 3.2, "Exterior Accessible Route", Civic Access Project, www.ada.com, - retrieved 15 March 2015 original source: http://www.ada.gov/fayette_co/fayette_attl.htm
- United States of America v. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., Consent decree (online citation incomplete), entered 28 June 2012, United States District Court, Southern District of New York, pertaining to barrier access at Avery Fisher Hall.
"A cane detectable barrier shall be added under the light valance on top of the partition near the west stairs so that it does not constitute a protruding object under Section 307.2 of the Standards." - The Civic Access Project is described by the ADA as follows:
The following settlement agreements resolve cases that are part of the Department's Project Civic Access, a wide-ranging effort to ensure that counties, cities, towns, and villages comply with the ADA by eliminating physical and communication barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in community life.
The Department has conducted reviews in 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, and is posting the agreements to help additional communities come into compliance with the Act. - 3/15/2015, http://www.ada.gov/civicac.htm
...
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 2017-12-17 by (mod) - stairwell distance required from the top of the stairs at the top to the header
I"m not sure I get the question. Are you asking what's the length of the cutout opening through which the stairs rise to the upper floor?
That's not specified as it will be different for stairs of different horizontal run length. Instead the key figure is headroom as you ascend or descend the stairs - given in the article above.
On 2017-12-12 by Catherine
What is the stairwell distance required from the top of the stairs at the top to the header at the other end? Is 109” enough?
On 2017-07-26 0 by (mod) -
Bob you posted this question back on July 17 - please see my reply below dated July 18 and let me know if questions remain. Daniel
On 2017-07-26 by Bob
We bought a house with a basement staircase that is perfectly fine and gives about 6
6"8 clearance at its lowest. However it does this by having a huge box bulkhead in kitchen. If that werent enough, it also has a small step in front of the bulkhead. That covers the last angled bit of headspace the staircase needs to reach 6'8", at that, its shortest point. I told my wife i'm sure we could at least get rid of the little step that sticks out beyond the boxy bulkhead. I guess i would need to box out a little piece of the stairs ceiling 3/4 of the way down where it corresponds to the small bit of stairs jutting into kichen?
Could i make up for that headspace by winding the stairs? Without adding any bulkheads or headspace above the place the staircase would be turning? It would be just the nornal basement ceilng height. I cant quite picture this in my head. Theoretically could this work, the concept?
On 2017-07-18 by (mod) -
Bob, that can work if the turn or landing itself has enough headroom.
Use the search box just above to find our article on CIRCULAR STAIRS and on WINDER STAIRS to see some examples.
On 2017-07-1 by Bob
Btw, its a step because i guess they tried to make that angled bit be a bit more useful, making a step instead of having what would look like a small mini ramp in front of bulkead.
We bought a house with a basement staircase that is perfectly fine and gives about 6
6"8 clearance at its lowest. However it does this by having a huge box bulkhead in kitchen. If that werent enough, it also has a small step in front of the bulkhead. That covers the last angled bit of headspace the staircase needs to reach 6'8", at that, its shortest point. I told my wife i'm sure we could at least get rid of the little step that sticks out beyond the boxy bulkhead. I guess i would need to box out a little piece of the stairs ceiling 3/4 of the way down where it corresponds to the small bit of stairs jutting into kichen?
Could i make up for that headspace by winding the stairs? Without adding any bulkheads or headspace above the place the staircase would be turning? It would be just the nornal basement ceilng height. I cant quite picture this in my head. Theoretically could this work, the concept?
On 2017-03-14 by (mod) - "Cant' be fixed" is baloney.
Kat
closing the barn door after the horse ... I recommend inspections for all such purchases, jumping through all the trouble-hoops as would a mortgage-type buyer, since when you sometime decide to SELL the house you can't expect the next buyer to be as generous nor as unafraid as you were.
That lecture over, there will always be some stuff to figure out.
Headroom and stairs are typically "grandfathered" though the final sayso is in the hands of your local building department whenever any code question arises. Typically the issue comes up when you are renovating or doing something that requires a building permit. Then any new work has to comply with current codes, and sometimes an inspector will want other building features brought to current standards too.
"Cant' be fixed" is baloney. You can always "fix" anything. The more salient question is "what's it going to cost" or "how much trouble will it be".
The stair headroom problem is a common one; solutions don't depend on joist direction but rather on how much space you have to extend a stair, put in a turn or landing, or cut out more of the second floor to get headroom.
Example: you might have to cut out the second floor opening to a longer size to get the headroom you want, then of course install a new header - there'll already be one but it has to move out away from the present end of the opening.
On 2017-03-14 by Kat
I just purchases a very small house for cash built in 1920 and didn't need to get an inspection because of not asking for a mortgage. The inside stairway headroom is only 5'8". Is this something that would be grandfathered in and pass inspection as I was thinking to rent it out until I move in a year from now. I was told it can't be fixed due to the joists above run parallel to the staircase? Any thoughts?
On 2016-05-11 by Anonymous
In what year did a clearance height of 6'-8" in stairways be come Mandatory in the state of Vermont
On 2015-12-29 by (mod) - final legal authority is your local building department
Patricia
In questions like this the final legal authority is your local building department. Their word is law. You MIGHT try
1. ask the building department what design they will accept considering the age and dimensions of the home
2. ask the building department if they will accept a lower headroom if you obtain plans from a design professional engineer or architect
Keep me posted.
On 2015-12-29 by patricialang20 house was damaged in Sandy Hurricane
My house was damaged in Sandy Hurricane and now being rehabbed. A stairway issue has been pointed by town inspectors. They claim that they will disallow the stairway for not passing the 80" height rule. Background: House built in 1949 and reconfigured and added a second story in 2004-2007
. Now "attic" space becomes two bedrooms and one bath and stairway is needed. (Previously there was a ladder to attic space).
The stairway takes a 90 degree turn and has a 36" square landing. A portion of the landing headroom is 78" due to main heating ducts overhead, while the remaining portion has plenty of clearance. Are there any exceptions or grandfather clauses that I might fall back on? Otherwise, how will we access the second floor?
On 2015-03-15 by (mod) -
Thank you Angie for the useful question. I've researched it and posted a detailed reply in the end of the article just above. If you need further assistance just ask.
Question: half steps?
(Mar 17, 2014) Anonymous said:
are half steps legal
Reply:
Anon I'm not sure what you mean by "half steps" but if you are referring to steps that have a low riser height, those are permitted but need to be built with a sufficient tread depth or step "run" in horizontal distance in the direction of travel in order to avoid a trip hazard.
Question:
15 March Angie said:
Hello,
I'm in Oregon and looking for the ADA code for guardrail under stairwells.
All I can seem to find are pictures of 27" high, but no documentation attached.
Can anyone point me in the right direction
Reply:
Thank you Angie for the useful question. I've researched it and posted a detailed reply in the end of the article just above. If you need further assistance just ask.
...
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- ADA STAIR & RAIL SPECIFICATIONS - home
- STAIR CODES & STANDARDS - home
- STAIR CODE DETAILS
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Citations & References
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
- Ching, Francis DK, and Mark Mulville. European building construction illustrated. John Wiley & Sons, 2014.
- Coutts, John. "The Building Regulations." Loft Conversions, Second Edition (2013): 239-248.
- Coutts, John. "Appendix 2: The Building Regulations: Appeals and Determinations." Loft Conversions: 225-244.
- Eastman, Chuck, Jae-min Lee, Yeon-suk Jeong, and Jin-kook Lee. "Automatic rule-based checking of building designs." Automation in construction 18, no. 8 (2009): 1011-1033.
- Kerr, William F. "Safety considerations when making building surveys." Structural Survey 3, no. 1 (1985): 30-35.
- Kim, Karen, and Edward Steinfeld. "AN EVALUATION OF STAIRWAY DESIGNS FEATURED IN ARCHITECTURAL RECORD BETWEEN 2000 AND 2012." International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR 10, no. 1 (2016): 96-112.
- Klinger, Lea E. "Physical Accessibility Measure for Schools." (2013): 1.
- Lynskey, Thomas A. "Safety hazards in libraries: causes and prevention." Library & Archival Security 2, no. 2 (1978): 7-8.
- Schuttner, Scott. Basic stairbuilding. Taunton Press, 2000.
- Yi-fan, L. I., C. H. E. N. Jun-min, J. I. Jie, Z. H. A. N. G. Ying, and S. U. N. Jin-hua. "Analysis of crowded degree of emergency evacuation at “Bottleneck” position in subway station based on stairway level of service." Procedia Engineering 11 (2011): 242-251.
- 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
- [5] How to Build Theater Stairs, an Illustrated Guide, Ben Teague, www.benteague.com, Amateur Theatre Division, December 2004, web search 8/9/11, original source: http://www.benteague.com/features/Stairs.pdf
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] Stephenson, Elliott O., THE ELIMINATION OF UNSAFE GUARDRAILS, A PROGRESS REPORT [PDF] Building Standards, March-April 1993
- [8] "Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
- [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] 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
- [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
- [24]"The Dimensions of Stairs", J. M. Fitch et al., Scientific American, October 1974.
- [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
- 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
- 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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- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. 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 - the Encyclopedia of Homes and to use illustrations from The ILLUSTRATED HOME .
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.
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