my question is that we have code requirment on railing that states no more then 4″ spacing. What about steps that have no risers.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Michael Hindle explores the efficacy of deep energy retrofits and discusses essential considerations for effective climate mitigation.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
Steps that have no risers?
Explain, please.
Heck, Hook,Huck, & Hack....UNITE!
A step with no riser is a ramp.
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
Bob,
Your talking about stairs with an open riser I assume.
Here's a link to the IRC stair code. Look at picture #14 it shows an open riser step with a horizontal piece of oak in between the riser so you don't have any more than 4" spacing same as the rails.
Two years ago the house I framed had open oak stairs and those horizontal pieces were built right in.
http://www.arcways.com/IRC2000a.pdf
If you are talking about the little triangular shaped space alongside the risers and treads, in Michigan, I believe the code says you can go 6" rather than 4.
Bob,
Code is usually pretty loose when it comes to the exterior stairs, decks and porches, meaning in most places open risers are ok, but interior they are no longer permitted.
The 6 inch is on the skirt area between the treads and the bottom balustrade rail, if the balusters arent attached to the tread.
-zen
Wait a second...where and what code rules out interior open risers? Never heard of such a thing and I really hope you are mistaken. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The Morphine s eems to do no good at all..I'd run all the way if I would not fall...
2000 IBCC
1003.3.3.3.2 Profile The radius of curvature at the leading edge of the tread shall be not greater than .5 inch. Beveling the nosing shall not exceed .5 inch. Risers shall be solid and vertical or sloped from the underside of the leading edge of the tread above at an angle not more than 30 degrees from the vertical. The leading edge shall project not more than 1.25 inches beyond the tread below and all projections of the leading edges shall be of uniform size including the leading edge of the floor at the top of the flight.
Exceptions:
1 Solid risers are not required for stairways that are not required to comply with Section 1003.2.13.2, provided that the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 4 inches.
2 Solid risers are not required for occupancies in Group I-3
Definition of I-3....
308.4 Group I-3 This occupancy shall include buildings and structures that are inhabited by more than 5 persons who are under restraint or security. An I-3 facility is occupied by persons who are generally incapable of self [reservation due to security measures not under the occupants control. (Jail... for sight lines, guards need to be able to see.)
So, you can have an open area of less than four inches, as long as it has guards that bump up or down from the tread above or below, and I guess you could have a stair with a rise of 4 inches, but true open risers are no longer legal.
There is a diagram showing the "guards" as well.
Sphere, Im going to also go check the IRBC to see of it is any different.
-zen
WOW..I didn't know that...here I was thinkin you were nuts (G).
Thanks for the info. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The Morphine s eems to do no good at all..I'd run all the way if I would not fall...
Ok the only thing that surprises me here is that 7 3/4 rise is still legal in 1-2 family dwellings, but this is a 2000 book, the new version might have changed. Last I heard was that 7 was max.
ICC-IRC
From section
R314.2.1 Profile .... Open risers are permitted, provided that the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a 4 inch diameter sphere.
Exceptions:
2. The opening between adjacent treads is not limited on stairs with a total rise of 30 inches or less
-zen
Edited 5/28/2005 7:01 pm ET by zendo
Hmmm..good thing I got no inspections coming up..doing open riser stairs here in a few weeks.
Thanks again. That is one rediculous rule. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The Morphine s eems to do no good at all..I'd run all the way if I would not fall...
and Stan just did those oak ones. lol
the premise is that a kid messing on the stair can slip between the treads and hit the floor.
-zen
Yeah...Stan is gonna be hosed..LOL
"Um Mr. Foster...tear em out" Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The Morphine s eems to do no good at all..I'd run all the way if I would not fall...
Some of that is open to "ionterpretation" by the inspector in some places.Leaving an open space at least 4" sure makes sweeping the snow off a lot easier.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Leaving an open space at least 4" sure makes sweeping the snow off a lot easierYou're talking about inside his house right? Ha, ha, ha Don't worry, we can fix that later!
ROTFLMAO
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Great, now we add YOU to the "Piffin and Sober HINJEW Show"
Call it the The Oracle , redneck and Budda Jew Comedy hour"...LOL Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The Morphine s eems to do no good at all..I'd run all the way if I would not fall...
Hey, I'm trying to look around to see if my neck is red, and all I can see is a couple of guys proclaiming my a$$ is rammed...wassup with that? Rise to the occasion<G>edited to put in a dirty word in covert scripture, cos otherwise, it just wouldn't be the same Don't worry, we can fix that later!
Edited 5/30/2005 10:14 pm ET by 'Snort