Please see attached (not to scale) sketch. This is a concrete walkway with 2 steps (3 risers) in it. From a code perspective, in your opinion, would these be considered winders or just regular steps? No need to respond with “ask your local inspector” – he does not returns calls and I think it would be a bit hard to describe on the phone..
TIA
Matt
Replies
I think like you may be thinking, it is OK but not to code..a fine line fer shure..depends on the duty doode.
I'd wing it and let it fly.
Build it, and when the inspector gets there talk about fishing, drinking beer, bar-b-que and tell him he looks a lot younger than the last time you saw him.
I don't see how it would be a winder. It looks more like you making a circular stair.
Good point... I think they might meet code requirements for circular stairs too.
Well, they fit the description of a winder and they are most likely within code. If you could expand the short side to 10" you should have no problem.
Bear
Thanks guys...
At least I didn't get a unanimous no... as in no way Jose...
They were formed today. Will be poured tomorrow. If they don't fly, the concrete guy is gonna have to eat it, so I'm not too worried, other than the last thing I want is more delays...
"If they don't fly, the concrete guy is gonna have to eat it, so I'm not too worried, other than the last thing I want is more delays..."It sounds like your the GC and your saying it's alright that he did the stairs that way because the inspector wouldn't call you back or him back. So why would the concrete guy have to eat it if the steps are wrong? Unless both you and the concrete guy agreed on that.If I was the concrete guy and there was a chance that the stairs would have to get ripped out and I would have to eat it. I wouldn't do the job at all until I knew it was right. I could care less if it holds the job up. It would be a different story if I knew the stairs would pass code but not winging it like this. And if the GC told me to do it anyway, I would tell him to throw himself in the concrete.
Joe Carola
Edited 12/12/2005 9:21 pm ET by Framer
Joe:
If you frame something the way you want to and it doesn't pass inspection, who is responsible for fixing it? The guy who hired you?
The sub is the one who decided to build them that way. My direction was limited to: "Make the walk 4' wide and build some steps in this area, but no more than 3 risers". I told him that I wasn't sure if it was code compliant when he was about 1/2 way done with forming the steps and he said "I think it would be OK". This is one small part of probably a 30 yard pour. I'd say it's his responsibility.
"If you frame something the way you want to and it doesn't pass inspection, who is responsible for fixing it?"Of course I would be responsible. The difference between me and that mason is that I would never have done what he did. I would've had my answers first. My mind doesn't work that way by telling me to build something first, especially out of concrete and hope it passes inspection."The sub is the one who decided to build them that way. My direction was limited to: "Make the walk 4' wide and build some steps in this area, but no more than 3 risers". I told him that I wasn't sure if it was code compliant when he was about 1/2 way done with forming the steps and he said "I think it would be OK". This is one small part of probably a 30 yard pour. I'd say it's his responsibility."If that's what he said, then he is responsible but since you’re the GC and from what I've read from some of your posts, you know a lot about codes and have the code books with you. With that doubt in your mind about it might not being code, I would've told him to stop until you find out what is code because you said you didn’t want any delays and now you have a 50% chance of it not being code and getting ripped out. So that can cause some delays.Joe Carola
Rather than take a chance, this morning I told him to reform them per the attached pic (in NC the min tread width is 9") so now I know they will pass - either as winders or as a standard set of steps. Also, I think they are perfectly safe/useable the way they are. Concrete was poured at 9:00 AM and everybody had a nice day.