I’m familiar with the codes for residential stairs, but can anyone tell me the variations with commercial stairs. It’s for a apartment complex interior stairs. Wood framed.
Specifically, what are the minimum widths of a staircase, both above and below the rail(s), and the handrail requirements.
Thanks
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Replies
If you can get ADA dimensions into the space, that will pass any inspection.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Where are you?
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I don't have room for ADA. The stairs are already built according to the plans and now they are worried they won't pass code.
Sorry can't be much help. Here in Canada multi-unit residential stairs are not considered commercial and have different requirements.
Hope someone who knows more will comment.
which aspects are you thinking will get rejected?
The stairs are already built according to the plans
Unless you drew the plans, it's not your problem. Have the architect resolve it."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
built according to the plans and now they are worried they won't pass code.that sound like architect problem, can we say "change order" ka- chen
that sound like architect problem, can we say "change order" ka- chen
That's funny. I can't remember the last time where the architect has taken responsibility. Seems they always have that disclaimer somewhere that all work must me all codes and requirements and this supercedes any of their designs/drawings/liabilities.
I think the first course they take in school is CYA. The same one that Building Depts/Inspectors take. Inspectors...can't live with them, or without them.
In Texas, exterior stairs are way more strict to meet TAS. Rules for how round the nosing is, how far back it has to angle, how solid the riser must be; all sorts of stuff just on the treads and risers. Pitch of the stairs and railings a whole 'nuther ballgame.
There's a max height, a max radius, as well as the minimum clear distance on the railings, too. Railings also have to go past the foot and head of the stairs prescribed amounts.
That's Texas, with TAS; Louisiana will likely differ in detail.
Hardest part for stairs with access is often the Fire safety requirements for landings having a "rescue zone" where persons and equipment can be staged, yet out of the path of first responders. This can be an enourmous challenged to design (especially finalized designs).
Sounds like tough sledding for the client; worse for the archy (double-worse if the archy told the client ahead of time--triple-worse if the customer then used the archy drawings anyway, despite not being "finished").Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I have no idea, but I would guess that width might be the only thing different from residential.
Why not ask the BI?
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
This sounds like a guy that posted somewhere before. I think he was tagged for not having min width. He is looking for info to take to the BI, if it is the same guy.
one good thing about the permit code enforcer, it has to be wriiten before they can enforce it, so it white or black. The grey is the problem area.
no i'm not that guy.
ok
Last commercial stairs I did, inspector let me do 36" wide stairs, stair-rail heights 34-38, & balcony rail had to be 42" minimum.
Have no idea where he got this from - I just did what I was told.
Mike
I can only speak to NY codes, which are based on ICC. Commercial is significantly different than residential.
Commercial maximum riser is 7". Minimum tread depth 11", as measured from riser to riser (add nosings to min dimension). Stairways serving an occupant load of 50 or less shall have a width not less than 36". Occupant load is set by the code, based on occupancy. Minimum headroom of 80". Handrail projections into the required width at each handrail shall not exceed 4.5" at or below handrail height. Handrails must be continuous, and extend 12" past the top riser, 24" past bottom riser (12" plus 1 tread). Handrails cannot be interrupted at newel posts.
Hope that helps. There is a lot more to the Code, so review with the architect before going ahead.
Brian