I am adding an exterior basement door below grade and an exterior stairwell to provide shop access.  Existing wall is 8 inch x 8 inch x 16 inch concrete block, 11-1/2 courses high over the floor slab.  Questions:

1) Is an Andersen FWH 5468APLR hinged french exterior inswing door suitable for this application?  I assume the 5 FT – 4 inch rough opening allows fo removing a whole number of blocks, right?  Also, with this 6 FT – 8 inch door height, I can leave the 4 inch 1/2 course at the bottom of the door and a full course of block at the top, right?

2) there is a 2 story 2 x 4 wall load above the proposed doorway.  What is the standard way to reinforce the door header in a retrofit like this?  Floor joists run parallell to the door.  Should I just leave the top course of block in place and do nothing, place a new steel reinforced concrete lintel, or frame with pressure treated 2 x 10’s.  Is there a code requirement on this?

3)  How far in from the corner of the block foundation wall should I place the door so the corner of the wall is not weakened (rule of thumb)?

4) regarding the exterior stairwell, probably with block walls and cast in place concrete stairs:  Is 12 inch treads and 8 inch rise typical and code conforming?  Allowing for a 4 inch sill at the door bottom, can I tie into the foundation drain with the stairwell drain (will the foundation drain typically be low enough assuming an 8 inch thick footer and a 4 inch thick stairwell landing slab)?  My main sewer line is 60 FT away on the other side of the basement.  How big of a landing is required at the bottom of the stairwell by code?  Can I cast the steps in place one at a time?  I was planning to insulate the stairwell to keep the existing house footer from frost heaving.  I’m in Ohio.

5) Can anyone point me to design drawings for typical exterior retrofit stairwells?

My main purpose is to allow access for getting shop tools to the basement and completed projects out.  Added benefit of letting light into the basement, too.