Stair landings that include a window may require a window guard or other safety measures.

This article series includes building codes along with examples of defects used in inspecting the platforms or landings for indoor or outdoor stairs for building entrances, decks, porches, or interior building stairs.

Window in the Stairwell May Be Unsafe or Require Guardrails

The stairway landing shown at the top of this page includes a window that lacks a guard railing or safety glass.

Someone who falls down these stairs is at risk of suffering extra severe injuries should they fall into and break the window glass, or worse, fall right through the window.

The photo shows a particularly dangerous stair window for two reasons:

1. The window sill is just about one foot above the walking surface
2. The window opening is in the direction of travel when walking down the upper flight of stairs in this home.

In Poughkeepsie NY, our neighbor, a retired dentist, Dr. S. living on Fountain Place, was returning from a night time bathroom visit when, elderly, frail, and confused in the dark, he turned left instead of right.

Thinking he was walking down a level hallway he instead stepped into air and fell down a stair such as this one.

He never completely recovered from the injuries suffered in that stair fall.

Safety glazing or window guards are required for locations such as that shown in our photograph (page top) and as shown in the fall protection sketch (above) provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection, education, & report writing tool firm.

Example building code citations requiring safety glazing in stairway windows

The following shall be considered specific hazardous locations requiring safety glazing materials: ...

10. Glazing adjacent to stairways, landings and ramps within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally of a walking surface; when the exposed surface of the glass is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the plane of the adjacent walking surface.

11. Glazing adjacent to stairways within 60 inches (1524 mm) horizontally of the bottom tread of a stairway in any direction when the exposed surface of the glass is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the nose of the tread. - Florida Building Code 2406.3 Hazardous Locations.

Example Building Codes Addressing Window Falls

• 2016 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE R312 GUARDS AND WINDOW FALL PROTECTION [PDF] as provided by the city of Oceanside, CA, retrieved 2021/10/14, original source: https://crw.cityofoceanside.com/etrakit3/viewAttachment.aspx?Group=PERMIT&ActivityNo=BLDG19-1448&key=PSC%3A1904261152072228

Excerpts from the California Window Fall Protection Code - 2016

R312.2 Window fall protection.

Window fall protection shall be provided in accordance with Sections R312.2.1 and R312.2.2.

R312.2.1 Window sills.

In dwelling units, where the top of the sill of an operable window opening is located less than 24 inches (610 mm) above the finished floor and greater than 72 inches (1829 mm) above the finished grade or other surface below on the exterior of the building, the operable window shall comply with one of the following:

1. Operable windows with openings that will not allow a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere to pass through the opening where the opening is in its largest opened position.

2. Operable windows that are provided with window fall prevention devices that comply with ASTM F2090.

3. Operable windows that are provided with window opening control devices that comply with Section R312.2.2.

R312.2.2 Window opening control devices.

Window opening control devices shall comply with ASTM F2090. The window opening control device, after operation to release the control device allowing the window to fully open, shall not reduce the net clear opening area of the window unit to less than the area required by Section R310.2.1. 

Building Codes Requirements & Research on Window Guards in Stairwells

• Chaudhary, Sofia, Janet Figueroa, Salah Shaikh, Elizabeth Williams Mays, Rana Bayakly, Mahwish Javed, Matthew Lee Smith, Tim P. Moran, Jonathan Rupp, and Sharon Nieb. PEDIATRIC FALLS AGES 0–4: understanding demographics, mechanisms, and injury severities [PDF] Injury epidemiology 5, no. 1 (2018): 7.
  Abstract excerpt:
  
  Conclusions: Pediatric unintentional falls are a significant burden of injury for children < 5 years. Future work will use these risk and injury profiles to inform current safety recommendations and develop evidence-based interventions for
  
  parents/caregivers and pediatric providers.
• CPSC, U.S., NEW STANDARDS FOR WINDOW GUARDS TO HELP PROTECT CHILDREN FROM FALLS [PDF] (2000), retrieved 2018/08/02, original source: https://www.cpsc.gov/content/new-standards-for-window-guards-to-help-protect-children-from-falls
• FALL PREVENTION: GUARDS, HANDRAILS & WINDOW GUARDS [PDF] Philadelphia Insurance Company, retrieved 2018/08/02, original source: https://www.phly.com/ebrochure/Docs/LC/FallProtection_GuardsHandrails_2700.pdf
• New York City Regulations, NYS Health Code S. 131.15, retrieved 2018/08/02, original source: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/window-guard-regulations.page
  Excerpts:
  
  The New York City Health Code [S. 131.15] requires owners of multiple dwellings (3 apartments or more) in New York City to provide, install, and maintain window guards when a child (or children) ten years or younger lives there. Tenants with no children, or none living at home, may also request and receive window guards if they want them for any reason.
  
  Window guards approved by the NYC Department of Health (DOH) must be properly installed according to DOH specifications in all windows, including bathroom windows, except any window providing access to fire escapes. For buildings with fire escapes above the first and ground floors, but none below, one window must be left unguarded to allow for a secondary exit from the apartment [NYC Building department rule 4.10].
• IBC, Chapter 24, GLASS and GLAZING (2015), International Building Code, excerpts:
  
  2406.4 Hazardous locations
  
  The locations specified in Sections 2406.4.1 through 2406.4.7 shall be considered specific hazardous locations requiring safety glazing materials.
  
  ...
  
  2406.4.6 Glazing adjacent to stairways and ramps
  
  Glazing where the bottom edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the plane of the adjacent walking surface of stairways, landings between flights of stairs and ramps shall be considered a hazardous location.
  
  Exceptions:
  
  1. The side of a stairway, landing or ramp that has a guard complying with the provisions of Secitons 1015 and 1607.8, and the plane of the glass s greater than 18 inches (457 mm) from the railing.
  
  2. Glazing 36 inches (914 mm) or more measured horizontally from the walking surface
  
  2406.4.7 Glazing adjacent to the bottom stairway landing.
  
  Glazing adjacent to the landing at the bottom of a stairway where the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the landing and within a 60-inch (1524 mm) horizontal arc that is less than 180 degrees (3.14 rad) from the bottom tread nosing shall be considered a hazardous location.
  
  Exception: Glazing that is protected by a guard complying with Sections 1015 and 1607.8 where the plane of the glass is greater than 18 inches (457 mm) from the guard.
• Istre, Gregory R., Mary A. McCoy, Martha Stowe, Kevin Davies, D. Zane, R. J. Anderson, and R. Wiebe. "Childhood injuries due to falls from apartment balconies and windows." Injury Prevention 9, no. 4 (2003): 349-352.
  
  Abstract Excerpts:
  
  Falls from balconies and windows are an important cause of childhood injury. This study investigated the circumstances around such falls and attempted to identify possible measures for their prevention.
  ...
  Conclusions: Two factors are important in falls from apartment windows and balconies: balcony rails more than 4 inches (10 cm) apart, and windows positioned low to the floor. Current building codes do not apply to older apartments, where most of these falls occurred. Nevertheless, these factors may be amenable to environmental modifications that may prevent most of these falls.
  
• Spiegel, Charlotte N., and Francis C. Lindaman. "Children can't fly: a program to prevent childhood morbidity and mortality from window falls." American Journal of Public Health 67, no. 12 (1977): 1143-1147.
  Abstract excerpt:
  
  "Children Can't Fly" is a health education program developed by the New York City Department of Health to combat the high incidence of child mortality and morbidity due to falls from windows.

In our OPINION, the IBC code specifications requiring safety glazing without a guard would be incomplete protection against serious or even fatal injury should a person walking up or down a stair fall into and possibly through a window located at a stairway landing, more so when the window is located facing the direction of travel down the stairway by a user.

Safety glazing, as defined in the IBC Section 2406.1 must pass the impact test requirements of Section 2406.2 in accordance with

CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 [PDF] retrieved 2018/08/02, original source: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title16-vol2/pdf/CFR-2012-title16-vol2-part1201.pdf

Below is an excerpt from

[Safety Glazing for Windows / Doors] CPSC 16 CFR part 1201.4, Impact Test Procedure:

(d) Test procedures—(1) Impact test procedure.

Each specimen shall be struck within 2 inches (5 centimeters) of its geometric center with the impactor dropped from a single height, designated according to the product category.

Specimens for Category I shall be impacted one time from a drop height of 18 to 18.5 inches (458 to 470 millimeters).

Specimens for Category II shall be impacted one time from drop height of 48 to 48.5 inches (1.22 to 1.23 meters).

For all specimens that are not symmetric from surface to surface, an equal number of specimens shall be impacted on each side.

For glazing materials which will be evaluated by paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section, this impact test procedure is not required.

Really? OPINION: Will safety glazing passing these impact tests prevent a person from falling through a window? I am doubtful. That's why windows should either be at a sufficient height above the walking surface or should be protected by window guards of adequate strength to prevent an adult or child from falling against and breaking through a window such that they may fall from the building.

Below is an excerpt from

2009 IBC Section 1013 Guards

1013.1 Where required. Guards shall be located along open-sided walking surfaces, including mezzanines, equipment platforms, 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 ofthe open side.

Guards shall be adequate in strength and attachment in accordance with Section 1607.7.

Exception: Guards are not required for the following locations:

1. On the loading side of loading docks or piers.

2. On the audience side of stages and raised platforms, including steps leading up to the stage and raised platforms.

3. On raised stage and platform floor areas, such as runways, ramps and side stages used for entertainment or presentations.

4. At vertical openings in the performance area of stages and platforms.

5. At elevated walking surfaces appurtenant to stages and platforms for access to and utilization of special lighting or equipment.

6. Along vehicle service pits not accessible to the public.

7. In assembly seating where guardsin accordance with Section 1028.14 are permitted and provided.

1013.1.1 Glazing. Where glass is used to provide a guard or as a portion ofthe guardsystem, the guardshall also comply with Section 2407. Where the glazing provided does not meet the strength and attachment requirements of Section
1607.7, complying guards shall also be located along glazed sides of open-sided walking surfaces.

1013.2 Height. Required guards shall be not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) high, measured vertically above the adjacent walking surfaces, adjacent fixed seating or the line connecting the leading edges of the treads.

2009 IBC Section 1607.7.1 Handrails and Guards

Excerpt

1607.7.1 Handrails and guards. Handrails and guards shall be designed to resist a load of 50 pounds per linear foot (plf) (0.73 kN/m) applied in any direction at the top and to transfer this load through the supports to the structure.

Glass handrail assemblies and guardsshall also comply with Section 2407.

Exceptions: 1. For one- and two-family dwellings, only the single concentrated load required by Section 1607.7.1.1 shall be applied. 

...

2009 IBC Section 1607.7.1.1 Concentrated load on handrails & guardrails

Handrails and guards shall be able to resist a single concentrated load of 200 pounds (0.89 kN), applied in any direction at any point  along the top, and to transfer this load through the supports to the structure.

This load need not be assumed to act concurrently with the loads specified in Section 1607.7.1.

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 equal to 1 square foot (0.093 m2 ), including openings and space between rails.

Reactions due to this loading are not required to be superimposed with those of Section 1607.7.1 or 1607.7.1.1.

Limits of Window Guards for Fall Protection

Watch out: Steven Winkel, writing for AIA East Bay in 2014, notes:

The basic intent is to provide fall protection when there is a change in elevation. The general rule is when there is a change in elevation of more than 30 inches, a guard is required. ...

The basic requirement is when operable windows have openings that are more than 4 inches and are within 36 inches above the interior finish floor and more than 72 inches above the exterior ground level. ...

Guards are never the absolute answer to fall protection. What is in the code may be only providing a false sense of security related to falls. People will still climb guards to get a better view. - Winkel. Steven R., "Building Code Issues: Guards at Operable Windows", AIA East Bay, (2014), retrieved 2018/08/02, original source: http://aiaeb.org/2014/12/codes/

...

Continue reading at Xstrong>PLATFORMS & LANDINGS, ENTRY & STAIR, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• GUARDRAILs on STAIRS, CONSTRUCTION
• GUARDRAILS on STAIRS, DESIGN
• PLATFORMS & LANDINGS, ENTRY & STAIR
  • STAIR HEADROOM vs LANDING LENGTH - separate article
  • STAIR LANDING CODE CITATIONS
  • STAIR PLATFORM at STAIRWAY TOP
  • STAIR PLATFORM vs DOOR SWING
  • STAIR HEADROOM vs LANDING LENGTH
  • STAIR WINDOW GUARD REQUIREMENTS - separate article
  • UNSAFE STAIR LANDINGS & PLATFORMS
• STAIR CODES & STANDARDS - free downloadable PDF files of building codes & standards
• STAIR DESIGN for SENIORS
• STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS - home

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