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ELDERLY & VETERANS HOME SAFETY

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LIGHTING, EXTERIOR GUIDE
LIGHTING, INTERIOR GUIDE

MOBILE HOME INSPECTIONS

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
NOISE CONTROL for FLOORS

ROT RESISTANT LUMBER

SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS
SAFETY: Elderly & Veterans Home Safety
SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
SOUND CONTROL in buildings
Splits in Structural Wood Beams
STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS

WOOD FLOOR DAMAGE

More Information

Stairways: Guide to Stair, Railing, Landing Construction & Inspection Home Page       STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS - home. Catalog of Stair & Railing Defects & Trip Hazards articles. Descriptions of common building exterior or interior stairs, steps, platforms, landings, decks & railing codes, construction details, inspection methods, safety defects & trip or fall hazards Tables of Accident Frequency by Type of Event - Frequency of Injuries due to Falls Questions & answers about exterior or interior stairs, landings, & railings: code, construction, safety, inspection, & repair References

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Stair & railing trip & fall hazards: This series of articles provides details about how to build steps, stairs, and railings, including interior and exterior or outdoor stair & railing codes, stair construction, stair inspection & stair safety hazard guides: beginning here. We include building code specifications for stairs, steps, rails, stair measurements & sketches, stair & railing photographs, and examples of defects in indoor or outdoor stairs, railings, landings, platforms, treads, and building access ramps. We provide stair code citations for details of how stairs, landings, and railings should be constructed to meet various building codes & standards.

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

Catalog of Common Stair & Railing Specifications, Stair & Rail Defects & Trip HazardsStairway, Railing, Landing Basic Dimensions & Rules

Our page top photograph shows an exterior stair extravaganza that looked beautiful. On closer inspection we found that this exterior stairway was not securely supported on the steep rocky hillside over which it had been constructed. Also see Building Safety Hazards Guide. Here we include references to key documents on building codes and stair and railing safety. Because more people are injured by trips and falls than other hazards, experts have looked closely at the specifications for stairs, steps, and rails to reduce the falling hazards. This work has been translated into stair and railing specifications that are similar among codes and countries (but not identical). -- IBC, IRC, BOCA, Kingston NY Stair Code, & other sources. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates. Stair and Railing Specification Topics for stair (U.S. and International Residential Codes) include the items listed below.

List of Recommended Stairway & Handrailing Construction, Specifications, & Defects Articles

Following this list we provide sketches and photographs of stair, railing, landing and related codes, construction details and hazards. Also see the detailed list of stairway and railing articles found at Related Topics under STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS

[The steep narrow pitched stone steps in our photo (left) connect walkers on two roadways in Mallorca (DF 2002). The builder pitched the steps in towards the stone wall on the left, perhaps to give the stair use an added measure of "safety".

• Attic stairs are often non-standard, steep, missing railings; attic folding stairs or pull-down stairs have special requirements for securing, fitting, etc.
• Balusters & Railing Enclosures (vertical posts comprising the barrier in guards and railings)
• BARK SIDE UP on DECKS & STEPS explains what causes cupping and rot and how to avoid it by putting the right side of boards "up"
• Basement stairs and basement walkout stair covers
• Books on Stair Construction, also see the references at the end of this page
• Checklist for Stair Inspections - Form for stair inspections is provided here
• Codes: building codes for stair construction are similar but not identical, as we compare in some notes

• Deck & Porch Steps or Stairs and Deck & Porch Railings discuss special stair requirements for decks and porches
  
  Our photo of collapsing and open-railing exterior stairs shown at left was taken on Hogback Mountain in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When building a deck or stairs on a sloped hillside, as you can see from our illustration, extra care needs to be taken with supporting posts and footings.
• Exterior stairs may present additional non-standard tripping hazards
• Fire stopping is required on interior stairs in some constructions
• Guards (railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies that are more than 30" above floors or grade)
• Lighting: shall be provided over stairs, with switches at top and bottom
• Railings: required on any run of any continuous run of steps comprising 4 or more risers
• RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH - construction details

Our photo (left) shows an interior stairway at the Hacienda Jaral de Berrio, Mexico. These steps, constructed in the 1700's make successful use of platforms at the stairway turns, but are unsafe, lacking guardrails, handrails, and (due to centuries of wear) level treads.

• STAIR HEADROOM, height, width width and stair dimension specifications
• Stairway landings are required depending on stair total height or in other conditions
• Step riser specifications for height, angle, etc.
• Step stringer defects such as rot, loose connections, bending, loss of tread connection
• Step tread specifications for width, depth, uniformity, & examples of defects
• Stair tread nose requirement on some treads, shape and angle requirements
• Winder stairs Separate specifications are provided for circular stairs

Tables of Accident Frequency by Type of Event - Frequency of Injuries due to Falls

1985 ACCIDENTS: NUMBER OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE UNITED STATES
AND THEIR TOTAL LIFETIME COSTS (in 1985 dollars)¹

CAUSES	FATALITIES	HOSPITALIZED	NON-HOSPITAL	LIFETIME COST (Billion $)
Motor Vehicles	45,923	23,028	4,803,000	$48.7
Falls	12,866	783,357	11,493,000	37.3
Firearms	31,556	65,129	171,000	14.4
Poisonings	11,894	218,554	1,472,000	8.5
Fires/burns	5,671	54,397	1,403,000	3.8
Drownings	6,171	5,564	26,000	2.5
All others	28,487	696,707	35,001,000	42.4
Total injuries	142,568'	2,346,736	54,369,000
Lifetime cost	$49.4	$80.0	$28.2	$157.6
Percent of total lifetime cost	31	51	18	100
1 Cost of Injuries in the United States and the Role of Building Safety, Jake Pauls BUILDING STANDARDS/July-August, 1991

This hazard pattern has shifted since about 1996 to reflect significant increases in mortality due to drug overdose and firearms. In fact, by the end of 2011 in the U.S. at least, the New York Times reported that for the first time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control had found that drug overdoses represented the leading cause of accidental death, overtaing motor vehicle accidents.[2] However falls remains a very high risk and one which receives less attention than it deserves.

"Falls include both falling to another level -- as in falling from stairs, ladders & windows -- or same level falls such as slipping, tripping & stumbling. Deaths from falls were highest in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Norway, Slovenia & Finland -- and lowest in Albania, Mauritius, Bahamas, Argentina & Chile. (Countries listed in order of death rate.)" Reference: Causes of Death, Ben Best

2002 ACCIDENT DATA: TYPES OF DEATHS ²

	ACCIDENT	PERCENT
1	Motor Vehicle	44.3
2	Falls	17.8
3	Poisoning	13
4	Drowning	3.9
5	Fires, Burns, Smoke	3.4
6	Medical Surgical Complication	3.1
7	Other land transport	1.5
8	Firearms	0.8
9	Other (non-transport)	17.8
2 National Vital Statistics Report, Volume 50, Number 15 (September 2002

Risk of Falls, Burns, Poisoning ³

Falls: The highest risk of injury by falls occurs among the elderly. "Falls represent the most frequent non-transportation related accidents occurring among older adults and are the leading cause of home fatalities for this population. Stairways are particularly hazardous for the elderly. Other types of falls include slipping in bathtubs and showers, slipping on tile or icy terrain, and tripping over objects on the floor. Falls associated with getting in and out of bed, getting on or off a chair, or using the bathroom are also frequent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about exterior or interior stairs, landings, & railings

Question: is a handrail needed for stairs of just three risers? how about stairs of seven risers?

I have a set of exterior steps on my commercial project in PG county Maryland. Thee stairs consist of seven risers. Do these steps require a handrail? - Robert Traylor

Reply:

Robert:

Beginning at STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS and in detail at Codes for Stairs you'll find specifications on stairs and railings including when railings are required. You don't specify the total rise, and in some communities a total rise of 3 ft or less can be excluded from handrail requirements. But with 7 risers I suspect that a rail is needed.

My OPINION is that even if the rail were not strictly necessary, it would be a smart safety improvement to install one. Someone can be injured even on a small fall, and you note that this is a commercial property - which to me means more responsibility on the property owner and more risk as well.

...

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Questions & answers or comments about exterior or interior stairs, landings, & railings: code, construction, safety, inspection, & repair.

Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

• Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
  • Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
  • Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
  • Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
    Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
  • The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
    Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
  • The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
    Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
  • The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
    Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
  • The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
• Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
• Manual for the Inspection of Residential Wood Decks and Balconies, by Cheryl Anderson, Frank Woeste (Forest Products Society), & Joseph Loferski, October 2003, ISBN-13: 978-1892529343, $39.00 at Amazon.com or at the InspectAPediaBookstore
• Eric Galow, Galow Homes, Lagrangeville, NY. Mr. Galow can be reached by email: ericgalow@gmail.com or by telephone: 914-474-6613. Mr. Galow specializes in residential construction including both new homes and repairs, renovations, and additions.
• [1] Yale University Guidelines for Undergraduate Theatrical Productions and Special Events, Yale University’s Office of Undergraduate Productions, Office of the Fire Marshal, and Office of Environmental Health & Safety April 2005, web search 8/9/11, original source: http://www.yale.edu/oup/forms/pdf/guidelines.pdf
• [2] CUE40303 Certificate IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Operations), Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations, web search 8/9/11, original source: https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/cib_vto/cibs/documents/cue40303.pdf
• [3] Electrical Safety in the Theatre, Broadway Press, web search 8/9/11, original source: http://www.broadwaypress.com/PDFs/LTSpdfs/LTSchpt13.pdf - quoting:
  Referring to the NEC will provide the technician with details specifically related to the theatre and moreover, these regulations will
  be better suited to the needs of the theatre.
• [4] Illustrated theatre production guide, John Holloway, Focal Press, 2002, ISBN 0240804937, 9780240804934
• [5] How to Build Theater Stairs, an Illustrated Guide, Ben Teague, www.benteague.com, Amateur Theatre Division, December 2004, web search 8/9/11, original source: http://www.benteague.com/features/Stairs.pdf
  Note that Mr. Teague warns that his designs and advice do not comply with building codes.
• [6] OSHA Publication 3124 - Stairways and Ladder, web search 12/21/11, OSHA Publications Office U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101 Washington, DC 20210 Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498. Original source: osha.gov/Publications/ladders/osha3124.html
• [7] "The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
• [8] "Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
• [9] "The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
• [10] Lighting, proper use of: proper aiming of a good flashlight can disclose hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on walls.
• [11] The Stairway Manufacturers' Association, (877) 500-5759, provides a pictorial guide to the stair and railing portion of the International Residential Code. [copy on file as http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf ] -
• [12] A HREF="http://astore.amazon.com/inspectapedia-20?node=14&page=2">Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen, Jon R. Abele, Alvin S. Hyde, Cindy A. LaRue, Lawyers and Judges Publishing; ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
• [13] Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
• [14] The Staircase, Ann Rinaldi
  
• [15] Common Sense Stairbuilding and Handrailing, Fred T. Hodgson
• [16] Falls and Related Injuries: Slips, Trips, Missteps, and Their Consequences, Lawyers & Judges Publishing, (June 2002), ISBN-10: 0913875430 ISBN-13: 978-0913875438
  "Falls in the home and public places are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States, but are overlooked in most literature. This book is unique in that it is entirely devoted to falls. Of use to primary care physicians, nurses, insurance adjusters, architects, writers of building codes, attorneys, or anyone who cares for the elderly, this book will tell you how, why, and when people will likely fall, what most likely will be injured, and how such injuries come about. "
• [17] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen, Jon R. Abele, Alvin S. Hyde, Cindy A. LaRue, Lawyers and Judges Publishing; ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
• [18] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Second Edition, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen,A. S. Hyde, Jon R. Abele, ISBN-13: 978-1-933264-01-1 or ISBN 10: 1-933264-01-2, available from the publisher, Lawyers ^ Judges Publishing Company,Inc., www.lawyersandjudges.com sales@lawyersandjudges.com and also from the InspectAPedia Bookstore (Amazon.com)
• [19] Arts, Crafts, & Theater Safety (ACTS), 181 Thompson Street, #23 New York, NY 10012-2586 Telephone: (212) 777-0062 E-Mail: ACTSNYC@cs.com, web search 5/9/12, website: http://www.artscraftstheatersafety.org/ - Quoting:
  ACTS is a not-for-profit corporation that provides health, safety, industrial hygiene, technical services, and safety publications to the arts, crafts, museums, and theater communities. A part of the fees from our consulting services goes to support our free and low-cost services for artists. We gratefully accept donations, but do not solicit them from the artists who call here for help and advice. We recognize that artists and performers are among the least affluent groups in society.
  ACTS also will not accept money or take advertising in our publications from manufacturers of artists materials or businesses whose interests could conflict with ours. We want artists to know that we have no financial incentive to make our product and safety recommendations.
• [20] Access Ramp building codes:
  • UBC 1003.3.4.3
  • BOCA 1016.3
  • ADA 4.8.2
  • IBC 1010.2
• [21] Access Ramp Standards:
  • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Public Law 101-336. 7/26/90 is very often cited by other sources for good design of stairs and ramps etc. even where disabled individuals are not the design target.
  • ANSI A117.4 Accessible and Usable buildings and Facilities (earlier version was incorporated into the ADA)
  • ASTM F 1637, Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, (Similar to the above standard
• [22] The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart
• [23] Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer
• "The Dimensions of Stairs", J. M. Fitch et al., Scientific American, October 1974.
• [24] Mobile Home Inspections common defects unique to factory built housing, inspection methods, The National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST (nee National Bureau of Standards NBS) is a US government agency - see www.nist.gov
• [25] The Art of Staircases, Pilar Chueca
• [26] Building Stairs, by pros for pros, Andy Engel
• [27] A Simplified Guide to Custom Stairbuilding, George R. Christina
• [28] Basic Stairbuilding, Scott Schuttner
  
• [29] The Staircase (two volumes), John Templar, Cambridge: the MIT Press, 1992
• [30] The Staircase: History and Theories, John Templar, MIT Press 1995
• [31] Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
• ...

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

• ...

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Attic & Basement Stair Inspection & Safety Concerns

We've had several reports of severe injury involving collapsing attic stairs, including involving home inspectors as well as occupants. Attic & Basement stair defects can be grouped by the stair type as we describe just below.

Basic information is just below. See Attic stairs for full details of this topic.

Conventional or home-made attic or basement stairways

Watch for stairs that do not meet recommended standards for Step riser height Step tread width Missing railings Stair top landing guardrails missing Worn, damaged treads Basement walkout stair cover rotted or loose - a serious child hazard such as shown in our photo

Attic Folding Stairs or Pull-Down Attic Stairs

Watch for these common folding attic stair or ladder defects:

• Loose or missing bolts or hardware securing the attic folding stair hinges
• Loose or missing bolts securing the stair or ladder treads to the attic stair stringers or sides
• Attic folding stairs cut too long, causing a pressure point at the folding hinge, leading to split or broken attic folding stair stringers or sides
• Attic pull-down or folding stairs cut too short, perhaps not reaching the floor, leading to an unsafe "hanging" attic stair
• Attic folding stairs installed over an existing building stairway such as to a lower floor, attic folding stairs folding down onto or into the lower stairwell (unsafe to enter or exit)
• Attic pull down stair spring and hinge bent, loose, broken - risk breaking spring or hinge parts striking users pulling down the stairs
  
• Attic stair frame not properly secured to the ceiling rough opening

Balusters

Basic information is just below. See  Balusters & Railing Enclosures for full details of this topic. For more details about balusters (vertical spindles in railing construction) see details at Railings for a discussion of safety barriers along stairs, and Guards (railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies that are more than 30" above floors or grade).

As our photo shows, a toddler (in this case very carefully held and supervised) can easily fall through open landing balusters or open balusters on a stairway.

We often see guards and railings enclosed using horizontal members or mesh or link fencing materials. Because a toddler can easily climb these materials, they are not safe for guard or railing enclosures and should not be used.

We also often see decks and porches more than 30" above ground level with no rail whatsoever, perhaps relying on the placement of plants or furniture to discourage people from stepping too close to the edge. Where building code enforcement was absent or lax we found a deck eight feet above ground with no railings at all. A local inspector opined that because the deck was not attached to the house (it abutted the house) it was exempt from building code enforcement.

Our opinion was that code exemption did not do much to reduce the falling hazard and that guards and railings should be provided regardless.

Exterior Stair Trip Hazards

We also often see trip hazards at exterior stairs and walks, details which may escape some building inspectors. It's common for gravel, dirt, or asphalt to settle inside of the step perimeter made of landscape ties such as shown in our photo. When the wood projection is 1/8" or more above the other walking surface (asphalt in this photo) it's a tripping hazard that should be corrected.

• Landscape tie stair edges raised above brick or stone interior - trip hazard (photo at above left)
• Landscape tie stair components rotted
• Masonry stairs frost-damaged, pitched (photo at above right, Justin Morrill Smith Historic Site, Strafford VT)
• Outdoor stairs should be designed so as not to accumulate water on the tread surface (Wet stair tread surfaces become slippery or icy)

Stair Guardrail, Newell Post & Baluster Specs & Defects

Guards or guard rails referred to in stair codes and specifications refer to the safety barrier placed along the open sides of a horizontal walking surface such as a landing, balcony, deck, or porch. The equivalent safety barrier placed along a stairway itself is discussed at Railings.

Guards (railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies that are more than 30" above floors or grade): required and must be => 36" high Guards on open side of stairs (of more than 30" above floor) must be => 34" high Examples of Guard rail & Newell Defects Guardrail balusters improperly spaced - too far apart, falling hazard or head trap Guardrail balusters damaged, missing, loose, not secure Newels or posts not secure, loose Our photo shows a flimsy metal guardrail that was modified to install along a sloping ceiling, cut, and not properly secured; it led to a fall and serious injuries. In our experience even worse than a missing railing or guard is one which is loose or improperly constructed. When someone is falling and tries to grab a flimsy collapsing railing, injuries are likely to be increased. In this case which we investigated, a painter on the catwalk where I am standing lost his balance, grabbed the railing to save himself, and fell, tangled in this metal railing, into an adjacent stairwell.

Balusters for Guards & Railings

Stairway handrail & stair balusters & guard details are in this sketch. Balusters (vertical posts comprising the barrier in guards and railings) Baluster opening between vertical members (maximum sphere passage <= 4 3/8") Baluster opening in triangular area below guard bottom rail and stair tread (maximum sphere passage <= 6") Hand-railing heights are given: U.S. handrails for stairs with one side against a wall: 30-38" U.S. handrails at open stairs: 34-38" above the stairs Canadian stair handrails: 32-36" above the stairs Wall clearance: Handrails along a wall must have at least 1.5" of clearance between the inside surface of the rail and the wall surface. Railings should not project into the required width of the stairway by more than 4.5" at or below the handrail height above the stairs. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates.

Stair Railing Specs & Defects

Handrails or railings are sometimes chosen for their creative or aesthetic appeal such as this handrail filled with running water at el Alhambra in Granada, Spain. But this is not a particularly easy rail to grasp if one is falling down the slippery brick stairs. Railings are a critical safety feature on outdoor and indoor stairs, landings, platforms, decks, porches, and similar structures. Some of the fall injury cases we've investigated involved a combination of unsafe stairs and a fall that was made worse when the individual who lost their balance tried to grasp an unsafe handrail.

Railings in stair codes and specifications refer to the safety barrier along steps or stairs. Also see Guards for details about safety railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies - horizontal walking surfaces.

Railing spaced from wall: (=> 1.5" ) Railing projection into stairs (<= 4.5") Railing height (=> 31.5" one-side-rail, or =>27" with rails on two sides) Railings: U.S. handrails for stairs with one side against a wall: 30-38" Railings: U.S. handrails at open stairs: 34-38" above the stairs Railings: Canadian stair handrails: 32-36" above the stairs Railing continuity: should be continuous - that is a hand can slide along the rail without interruption from above the top riser to above the bottom riser; rails can be interrupted at a newell post

Stair Handrail Dimensions & Shape

Handrail cross section and size: One of the most frequent fall hazards we encounter are home-made railings that are too small or too large to grasp, or handrails that do not permit continuous grasping along their length. A handrail made out of a 2x6 set on edge or on flat and run along a stairway cannot be grasped. Notice that in the Carson Dunlop sketch, baluster separating space is specified as 4 - 6" (in NY the inspectors require 4") to avoid a head trap for small children. Railing grip size and shape: (must be able to be grasped) Round rails: between 1.25" and 2" in diameter Metal ogee shaped: <= 2.25" across widest dimension Wood oblate shaped: <= 2.25" across widest dimension Rectangular shaped: perimeter must be between 4" and 6.25" Perimeter larger than 6" must have a graspable finger recess (see details at the ASM document link below)

Examples of Stair & Landing Railing Defects

Railing wrong height on stairs (above) or landing (at left) - too low to grasp or too high to grasp, or too low to prevent falling off of a platform, as I'm demonstrating in the right-hand photo above and in the stair landing photo shown here. Railing loose, not properly secured (litigation photos) Railing missing Railing wrong dimension - cannot grasp; railing does not permit continuous grasping over length

Stair Stringer Defects

The stair stringer is the diagonal supporting structure that carries the weight of the stair assembly as well as people using the stairs. You can see a stair stringer along the upper-edge of the set of stairs lying on their edge in our photo at above-right, after the stairs fell from the stair opening (our photo at above left) during a building renovation project. The stair stringer is secured to the structure at stair top, stair bottom, stair sides, depending on where there are building surfaces present.

Some common stair stringer defects we've found include:

• Stair stringer poorly secured to the top landing of exterior porches and decks
• Stringer loose, rotted, damaged, bowed, not secured to the building side wall where it should be, indoors or out
• Stringer improperly cut, deep notching, under-strength (see photo at Stair Riser Specifications & Defects)

Rotted stair treads or stringers: watch for rot in wooden stairs, especially at exterior entrances and decks. Where the stair stringer is mounted against a building wall water is often trapped, leading to hidden rot and sudden collapse.

Our photo shows rotting basement stair treads; from the stair top we could see that the entire stairway was twisting and in danger of sudden collapse. The sketch, courtesy Carson Dunlop, predicts stair rot exactly where it's found in our photograph.

Unsafe connections between stair treads and stringers is also often hidden: check for: Stair treads simply through-nailed from outside the stringer into the ends of the tread. We've seen such stair treads suddenly collapse under load or collapse due to spreading between the stringers. The protruding nails can cause serious cuts while the stair-user is falling. Stair treads using under-sized cleats and box nails below treads Stair treads loose and falling because of separation between the stringers Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates.

Stair stringer movement, as we cited just above, can lead to separation of the connection between treads and the stringer, leading to stair collapse. Examine the stringers for bowing and look for gaps at the ends of treads - but beware: separation and gaps may be hidden if the stair treads were set into groove routed into the stringer. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates.

Stair Riser Specifications & Defects

Stair Step Risers Step riser specifications riser height (<= 7.75") Step riser height uniformity (<= 3/8" variation) Step riser slope (out of vertical) (<= 30 deg measured from horizontal surface of the tread) Step risers: open risers are permitted provided the opening will not pass a 4" sphere (child safety) Stair Riser Defects Stair risers of uneven height - no variation greater than 0.375 inches is allowed Stair risers of improper height, too tall Stair risers of improper height, too short

Bad Deck Stair Example: Nothing is right about the exterior stairs shown in our photo from a 1991 home inspection:

• This stair stringer is too-deeply notched and could split;
• The stair risers are too high, as our client is showing with our tape.
• The stair treads are too narrow.
• There is no railing and the height above ground is more than 36".
• The deck and platform railing is open with no balusters.

Stair Tread Specifications & Defects

Stair Step Treads

• Step tread depth (=> 10") (measured 12" from smaller side of irregular stair shapes such as triangular treads on curves or spirals)
• Step tread depth uniformity (<= 3/8" variation)
• Stair tread depth for winder stairs (>= 6" at smallest point)
• Stair tread uniformity for winder stairs at the 12" walk-line (<= 3/8" variation)
• Stair tread slope (out of level on walking surface) - (slope or "rise" must be <= 1 in 48) -- Source: IRC

Another Stair Code Example - Source BOCA 2001.

• Stair riser heights shall be 7 inches (178 mm) maximum and 4 inches (102 mm) minimum.
• Stair tread depths shall be 11 inches (279 mm) minimum. The riser height shall be measured vertically between the leading edges of adjacent treads. The stair tread depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at right angle to the tread's leading edge.

Stair Step Tread Nose

• Tread nose projection past vertical riser below (3/4" to 1 1/2") required on stairs with solid risers (exceptions are below)
• Tread nose projection uniformity (<= 3/8" variation)
• Tread nose curve radius (=< 9/16")
• Tread Nose not required if tread depth is => 11"
• Tread Nose not required on open stair treads (open riser

Another Stair Code Example - BOCA 2001.

• Stair tread nose projection missing or wrong dimension: (falling hazard on descending) or tread nose extends out too far over tread (risk splitting off or trip on climbing up). Example: A nosing not less than 0.75 inch (19.1 mm) but not more than 1.25 inches (32 mm) shall be provided on stairways with solid risers where the tread depth is less than 11 inches (279 mm). - BOCA 2001.

Examples of stair tread defects

Stair tread loose, broken, damaged, missing Stair treads of improper dimension in tread depth (does it fit your foot), tread width (the stairway width side to side), riser height, or tread nose dimensions. Stair tread thickness: too think, split, damaged, worn Stair tread out of level or pitched. The maximum out of level allowed on a stairway walking surface is 1 unit of rise or fall in 48 units of length - a 2% slope. - BOCA 2001. Stair tread surface irregular or uneven, slippery with algae, improperly drained (exterior stairs) Stair treads uneven in width - no variation greater than 0.375 inches is allowed These steps in Spain were uneven in surface, had no side railing, were too narrow, a bit steep, and had that interesting little swing-out gate (with no platform) leading up to an upper balcony with not much of a railing, as our friend Nuria was contemplating.

Stair Platform or Landing Specs & Defects

Stair Landings are required at top and bottom (with exceptions at top of interior stairs or in garage if door swings in, away from the stairs) Stair landing minimum size in direction of travel (<= 36") Examples of Stair Platform or Landing Defects Guardrail or handrail not secured or wrong height; Stair platform missing where required (total rise between floors > 12' for example) Stair platform improper size or location Landing is pitched, sloped, or damaged (trip hazard) Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates.

 

Stairway Lighting Requirements Stairway Lighting is Required, with light switches at top and bottom of the stairway if the stairs encompass more than three stair treads (Canada) or six stair treads (U.S.). Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates. Stair Lighting Defects Stair lighting missing, incorrectly wired (3-way switch not working) or light switches not present at both top and bottom

Stairs that are Curved or Angled, & Winder Stairs

Angled or Curved stair treads are a particular trip hazard, especially because of the lack of uniformity and because the tread width at the inside of the curve can be too small for safe walking. Our stair photo at above left shows tricky angled stairs that were squeezed onto a sidewalk in New York City. A passerby agreed to model the risk of falling. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates. My daughter fell down curved stairs at a shopping mall where the triangular tread hazard was combined with a beautiful, architect-designed handrail that was about 8" in diameter - she was unable to grasp it as she was falling. The photo shows her sister grasping an added handrail that was welded on to correct this unsafe condition. The original "fat" hand railing that no one could grasp when falling is along the diagonal-right side of the photo.

Dimensions for Turning or Winding Stairways

Stairway winders or turns involve triangular treads to complete the turn. As the sketch, courtesy Carson Dunlop, shows, only one set of winders should be allowed in a staircase, and the dimensions shown address tripping hazards. Of course more turns may be involved in a stairway, such as a circular stair.

What's the difference between open riser and closed riser stairways?

Closed riser stair treads using a solid riser are shown at the left of the sketch and open stair treads are shown at the right sketch. Notice that the minimum stair tread thickness is increased when the stair tread is not supported by a solid riser. Open riser stair treads are shown at the right in the sketch. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates.

Stairway Height, Width, Headroom Requirements Stairway headroom (=> 6'8" over tread or landing) Stairway maximum height (<= 12' between floors - this means landings could be required) Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates. Stairwell width and stair landing platform requirements are summarized by this sketch. The minimum recommended stair width is between 34" and 36" ACROSS. The minimum recommended stair landing length is 36" (or a length and width sufficiently greater than the swing of the door if a wider door is present. Notice that a stair top landing is not required if the door at the top of the stair opens away from the stairwell. In these sketches required handrails have been omitted for clarity. Details and more illustrations of stairway headroom clearance specifications are at STAIR HEADROOM

Stairway Fire Stopping Requirements

Fire stopping for stairs is required to slow the spread of building fires between floors and to assist in emergency exit. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop Associates.

Notes Comparing Building Codes Specifying Stair & Railing Requirements         

Sample excerpts of sources which a building code compliance inspector would be expected to cite in support of requiring a properly-designed, properly-secured guard rail include but are not limited to the citations below.

International Building Code 2000 (BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI)

1003.3.3.4 Stairway landings. There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway. The width of landings shall not be less than the width of stairways they serve. Every landing shall have a minimum dimension measured in the direction of travel equal to the width of the stairway. Such dimension need not exceed 48 inches (1219 mm) where the stairway has a straight run.

1003.3.3.11.3 Handrail grasp ability. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of at least 1.25 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm) or shall provide equivalent grasp ability. If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of at least 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 6.25 inches (159 mm) with a maximum cross-section dimension of 2.25 inches (57 mm). Edges shall have a minimum radius of 0.125 inch (3.2 mm).

100333.11.4 Continuity. Handrail-gripping surfaces shall be continuous, without interruption by newel posts or other obstructions.

1607.7 Loads on Handrails, guards, grab bars and vehicle barriers

1607.7.1.1 Concentrated Load. Handrail assemblies and guards shall be able to resist a single concentrated load of 200 pounds (0.89kN), applied in any direction at any point along the top, and have attachment devices and supporting structure to transfer this loading to appropriate structural elements of the building.

1607.7.1.2 Components. Intermediate rails (all those except the handrail), balusters and panel fillers shall be designed to withstand a horizontally applied normal load of 50 pounds (0.22 kN) on an area not to exceed one square foot (305mm2) including openings and space between rails.

BOCA National Property Maintenance Code 1993:

PM-305.5 Stairs and railings: all interior stairs and railings shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.

Commentary: Handrails, treads and risers must be structurally sound, firmly attached to the structure, and properly maintained to perform their intended function safely. During an inspection the code official should inspect all stringers, risers, treads, and handrails.

PM-305.6 Handrails and guards: Every handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.

Commentary: This section provides for the safety and maintenance of handrails and guards. See Section PM-702.9 for additional requirements.

PM-702.9 Stairways, handrails and guards: Every exterior and interior flight of stairs having more than four risers, and every open portion of a stair, landing or balcony which is more than 30 inches (762mm) high, nor more than 42 inches (1067mm) high, measured vertically above the nosing of the tread or above the finished floor of the landing or walking surfaces. Guards shall be not less than 30 inches (762mm) high above the floor of the landing or balcony.

Commentary: Handrails are required on all stairs more than four risers in height. Handrails cannot be less than 30 inches nor more than 42 inches above the nosing of the treads (see Figure PM-702.9).

Guards are required on the open side of stairs and on landings and balconies which are more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below. The guard must be at least 30 inches above the floor of the landing or balcony. Guards are to contain intermediate rails, balusters or other construction to reduce the chance of an adult or child from falling through the guard. If the guard is missing some intermediate rails or balustrades, it is recommended that the guard be repaired to its original condition if it will provide protection equivalent to the protection it provided when originally constructed.

Stair, Railing, Landing Inspection Checklist and Worksheet Odd dimensions of stair tread width, height, depth, nose, low or flimsy stair railings, loose stair components, and a host of other stair and railing defects are the source of more injuries and more lost time from work in the United States (and probably other countries) than any other source of injuries after automobile accidents. If you see a silly railing such as the one in this photograph it may indicate an approach to stair building that is a red alert for other hazards. Stair kits and manufactured stairs can be expected to meet accepted standards for safety but watch out for amateur installations and particularly for site-built stairs in oddly-shaped locations or in areas of no building code enforcement. This stair inspection checklist assists anyone who wants to inspect a stairwell by providing a means to document the pertinent measurements, inconsistencies in dimensions, or other stair and railing hazards or defects.

Stair Inspection Checklist & Form

Stair Inspection Notes and Observations
Client:	.
RE Case:	.
Location:	.
Inspection Date & Conditions:	.
Inspector:	.
Item	Measurement	Comments
Total Stairway Rise	.	.
Total Stairway Run	.	.
Landing top dimensions	.	.
ht. vs. int. floor	.	.
Entry door swing in/out	.	.
Landing intermediate dims.	.	.
Landing bottom dimensions	.	.
Tread width = stair width	.	.
Tread depth (horizontal)	.	.
Individual Tread Conditions
1 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
2 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
3 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
4 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
5 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
6 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
7 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
8 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
9 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
10 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
11 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
12 Tread, riser ht./condition	.	.
Tread nose (indic. variation)	.	.
Tread level F-R (indic var)	.	.
Tread level L-R (indic var)	.	.
.	.	.
Railing Conditions
Railing height @	.	.
Railing height @	.	.
Railing height @	.	.
Railing security	.	.
Railing cross section/Shape	.
Baluster Conditions
Baluster spacing	.	.
2nd Railing height @	.	.
2nd Railing height @	.	.
2nd Railing height @	.	.
Lighting Conditions
Lighting/Switch at/watts/condition	.	.
Other Observations:
.
.
.
© Copyright 2010 Daniel Friedman

Notes to Table of Stair & Railing Defects/Checklist

1st Tread = bottom Structural conditions to observe include connections, proper number and type of fastener, spans, condition of materials. Subtle details such as a wooden exterior stair tread installed upside down as we explain at Wood Floor Damage, (bark side up - it should be placed "down") can lead to cupping which can cause algae or ice and a subsequent slip and trip hazard. Circular stairs pose special problems concerning tread shape, potential walking area, railing design. Handrails pose special considerations beyond height and security, such as graspability, shape, condition. Report other construction details, structural connections, modifications, loose connections, support, posts, weather exposure/covering, weathering, rot, tread damage, tread nose wear/damage, moss, algae, cupping, splitting, tread connection and support (below), rail obstructions, rail grip, stairway obstructions, permits & "CO" obtained/missing)

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