• Codes
  • Features

    Features Overview

    Go to features
    Reference

    Reference.

    A reliable and up-to-date source of codes.
    Research

    Research.

    Rapidly and efficiently calculate project parameters.
    Collaboration

    Collaboration.

    Get everyone on the same page and streamline code research.
    Workflows
    Architects General Contractor Building Official & Plans Examiner Inspectors Owner Subcontractors Code Consultants
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • Sign Up
Sign Up
Login
  • Code Library
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • About
  • Careers
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Sign Up
Upgrade to Premium
Code calculators: Code Calculators automatically generates a detailed list of requirements.
REFERENCE
Amendment Styling
Industry-leading search
Suggested code sections
Code diagrams
RESEARCH
Code calculators
Filter by topic
Code compare
Code sheet exports
COLLABORATION
Team projects
Bookmarks
Comments
START 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL
Have an account? Sign in
// CODE SNIPPET

Section 1123A Interior Stairways

Los Angeles Building Code > 11A Housing Accessibility > 1123A Interior Stairways
JUMP TO FULL CODE CHAPTER

1123A.1 General

Interior stairways serving buildings containing covered multifamily dwelling units shall comply with this section.

1123A.2 Open Risers

Open risers shall not be permitted on interior stairways.

Exception: Stairways within an individual dwelling unit.

1123A.3 Treads

All tread surfaces shall be stable, firm and slip resistant, and shall comply with Section 1119A.2. Treads shall have smooth, rounded or chamfered exposed edges and no abrupt edges at the nosing (lower front edge).

1123A.4 Nosing

Nosing shall not project more than 11/4 inches (31.8 mm) past the face of the riser below. Risers shall be sloped or the underside of the nosing shall have an angle not more than 30 degrees (0.52 rad) from the vertical. (See Figure 11A-6A.)

1123A.5 Striping for the Visually Impaired

Interior stairs shall have the upper approach and lower tread marked by a stripe providing clear visual contrast.

The stripe shall be a minimum of 2 inches (50.8 mm) wide to a maximum of 4 inches (101.6 mm) wide placed parallel to, and not more than 1 inch (25.4 mm) from, the nose of the step or upper approach. The stripe shall extend the full width of the step or upper approach and shall be of material that is at least as slip resistant as the other treads of the stair. A painted stripe shall be acceptable. Grooves shall not be used to satisfy this requirement.

Exception: Striping is not required for stairways within individual dwelling units.

1123A.6 Interior Stairway Handrails

1123A.6.1 Where Required

Stairways shall have handrails on each side. Intermediate handrails shall be located equidistant from the sides of the stairway and comply with Section 1012.9.

Exception: Stairways serving an individual dwelling unit may have one handrail, except that stairways open on one or both sides shall have handrails on the open side or sides.

1123A.6.2 Handrail Configuration

1122A.6.2.6 Cross Section

Handrail gripping surfaces shall comply with this section, or the shape shall provide equivalent gripping surface.

  1. Circular cross section. The handrail gripping surfaces with a circular cross section shall not be less than 11/4 inches (31.75 mm) nor more than 2 inches (50.8 mm) in cross-sectional dimension.
  2. Noncircular cross section. Handrail gripping surfaces with a noncircular cross section shall have a perimeter dimension of 4 inches (102 mm) minimum and 61/4 inches (159 mm) maximum, and a cross-section dimension of 21/4 inches (57 mm) maximum.

1122A.6.2.7 Fittings

Handrails shall not rotate within their fittings.

1123A.6.2.1 Handrail Heights

The top of handrails shall be 34 to 38 inches (864 to 965 mm) above the nosing of the treads.

1123A.6.2.2 Handrail Continuity

Handrails on all stairways shall be continuous within the full length of each stair flight. Inside handrails on switchback or dogleg stairs shall be continuous between stair flights.

1123A.6.2.3 Handrail Extensions

At the top of stair flights, handrails shall extend a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally above landings, beginning directly above the first riser nosing. Extensions shall return to a wall, guard, or the walking surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight.

At the bottom of stair flights, handrails shall extend at the slope of the stair flight for a distance equal to one tread depth beyond the last riser nosing. Such extension shall continue with 12 inches (305 mm) minimum horizontal extension, shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight, or shall return to a wall, guard, or the walking surface. Handrail horizontal extensions shall be in the same direction as the stair flights. (See Figures 11A-6A and 11A-6E.)

Exception: Stairways within an individual dwelling unit.

1123A.6.2.4 Handrail Projections

Handrails projecting from a wall shall have a space of 11/2 inches (38.1 mm) minimum between the wall and the handrail.

Handrails may be located in a recess if the recess is a maximum of 3 inches (76.2 mm) deep and extends at least 18 inches (457 mm) above the top of the rail. Any wall or other surface adjacent to the handrail shall be free of sharp or abrasive elements. (See Figure 11A-6B.)

1123A.6.2.5 Handrail Gripping Surfaces

Handrail gripping surfaces shall be continuous along their length, and shall not be obstructed along their tops or sides. The bottoms of handrail gripping surfaces shall not be obstructed for more than 20 percent of their length. When provided, horizontal projections shall occur 11/2 inches (38 mm) minimum below the bottom of the handrail gripping surface. The distance between horizontal projections and the bottom of the gripping surface shall be permitted to be reduced by 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) for each 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) of additional handrail perimeter dimension that exceeds 4 inches (102 mm).

Handrail gripping surfaces and any surfaces adjacent to them shall be free of sharp or abrasive elements, and shall have rounded edges.

Related Code Sections


1113.4 Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings, Interior Stairways
Every interior stairway shall be enclosed with walls of not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction. Where existing partitions form part ...
2017 LA City Fire Code > 11 Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings > 1113 Existing Group R-1 and Group R-2 Occupancies [SFM] > 1113.4 Interior Stairways
Section 1123A Housing Accessibility, Interior Stairways
Interior stairways serving buildings containing covered multifamily dwelling units shall comply with this section ...
Los Angeles Building Code > 11A Housing Accessibility > 1123A Interior Stairways
313.4 Provisions for All Compliance Methods, Interior Stairways
Every interior stairway shall be enclosed with walls of not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction. Where existing partitions form part ...
Los Angeles Existing Building Code > 3 Provisions for All Compliance Methods > 313 Existing Group R-1 and Group R-2 Occupancies [SFM] > 313.4 Interior Stairways
313.4 Provisions for All Compliance Methods, Interior Stairways
Every interior stairway shall be enclosed with walls of not less than 1-hour fire-resistive construction. Where existing partitions form part ...
Los Angeles Existing Building Code > 3 Provisions for All Compliance Methods > 313 Existing Group R-1 and Group R-2 Occupancies [SFM] > 313.4 Interior Stairways
R303.7 Building Planning, Interior Stairway Illumination
Interior stairways shall be provided with an artificial light source to illuminate the landings and treads. The light source shall be capable ...
Los Angeles Residential Code > 3 Building Planning > R303 Light, Ventilation and Heating > R303.7 Interior Stairway Illumination
Help Contact Us Privacy Terms
Code sheet exports
Code sheet exports
Generate a code sheet that integrates with your drawing set.
Code diagrams
Code diagrams
Unpack the code through illustrations and descriptions.
Code Compare
Code Compare
Highlight differences between any two building codes.
Code Calculators
Code Calculators
Code calculators automatically generate a detailed list of requirements.
Shared projects
Shared projects
Projects provide a dedicated space to collaborate on code research.
Search
Search
Don't miss relevant code. Quickly locate sections across your jurisdiction.
UpCodes Premium
Leverage the most sophisticated code compliance platform.
TRY FREE FOR TWO WEEKS VISIT PRICING
UpCodes Premium
Leverage the full code compliance platform.
START 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL LEARN MORE