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Stair Code question

Faulted1 | Posted in General Discussion on March 10, 2008 11:16am

I’m in the process of renovating some existing stairs in my own house and I’m not sure of the correct code interpretation.  The code is IBC2000.

 

The stairs are fully carpeted, withouts skirts.  The bottom half of the stairs is open (rail with balustrades) on the right side.  The top half is enclosed on both sides by walls.  A hand rail is located on the left side and extends the entire length of the stairs.  The handrail extends 4 1/2 from the wall.  The top half (enclosed) is 36″ wide.

Is there room to legally add skirt boards?  Does the 31 1/2 inches apply to the only the area where the hand rail is located?  Can I legally added wainscot to the walls?

Thanks for the help

F1 

Reply

Replies

  1. Riversong | Mar 10, 2008 11:37pm | #1

    Code requires a residential stairway to be 36" clear width, with the exception that handrails can protrude 4-1/2" into the space.  Skirt boards shouldn't be an issue, but if you want the "correct" interpretation of code, ask your building inspector.

     
    Riversong HouseWright
    Design *  * Build *  * Renovate *  * Consult
    Solar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes
    1. Faulted1 | Mar 10, 2008 11:56pm | #2

      36" clear above the handrails is what i was told.

      http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2000_irc_sma.pdf

       

      1. mathewson | Mar 11, 2008 05:10am | #3

        Ask your inspector. On a remodel I've seen them allow 34" sheetrock to sheetrock, other times I've been given a hard time on 35 1/2".

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