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Section 1009 Stairways and Handrails
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The width of stairways shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1, but such width shall not be less than 44 inches (1118 mm). See Section 1007.3 for accessible means of egress stairways.
Exceptions:
1. A width of not less than 36 inches (914 mm) shall be permitted in:
1.2. A stairway that provides egress to the exit discharge solely for the use of Group R-2 occupancies, provided the building it serves is 125 feet (38 100 mm) or less in height, and provided such a stairway serves not more than 30 occupants per floor.
2. Spiral stairways as provided for in Section 1009.9.
3. Aisle stairs complying with Section 1024.
4. Where a stairway lift is installed on stairways serving occupancies in Group R-3, or within dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2 a clear passage width not less than 20 inches (508 mm) shall be provided. If the seat and platform can be folded when not in use, the distance shall be measured from the folded position.
Stairways shall have a minimum headroom clearance of 84 inches (2134 mm) measured vertically from a line connecting the edge of the nosings. Such headroom shall be continuous above the stairway to the point where the line intersects the landing below, one tread depth beyond the bottom riser. The minimum clearance shall be maintained the full width of the stairway and landing. Projections into the required width shall not be limited above the minimum headroom height.
Exceptions:
1. In Group R-2 and R-3 occupancies stairways shall have a minimum headroom clearance of 80 inches (2032 mm).
2. Spiral stairways complying with Section 1009.9 are permitted a 78-inch (1981 mm) headroom clearance.
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 greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 0.375 inch (9.5 mm). The 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. The greatest tread depth within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 0.375 inch (9.5 mm). Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of 11 inches (279 mm) measured at a right angle to the tread's leading edge at a point 12 inches (305 mm) from the side where the treads are narrower and a minimum tread depth of 10 inches (254 mm). The greatest winder tread depth at the 12-inch (305 mm) walk line within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 0.375 inch (9.5 mm).
Exceptions:
1. Circular stairways in accordance with Section 1009.7.
2. Winders in accordance with Section 1009.8.
3. Spiral stairways in accordance with Section 1009.9.
4. Aisle stairs in assembly seating areas where the stair pitch or slope is set, for sightline reasons, by the slope of the adjacent seating area in accordance with Section 1024.11.2.
5. In Group R-2 occupancies:
5.1. Sum of treads and risers. The sum of two risers plus one tread exclusive of nosing shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) nor more than 25.5 inches (648 mm).
5.2. Dimensions of treads and risers. The maximum riser height shall be 7.75 inches (197 mm) and the minimum tread depth shall be 9.5 inches (241 mm) plus nosing. Treads may be undercut a distance equal to the nosing. A nosing not less than 0.75 inch (19 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).
5.3. Tolerances. The greatest riser height, tread depth, and nosing projection, within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 0.375 (9.5 mm).
6. In Group R-3 occupancies; within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies not subject to accessibility provisions in Section 1107.2.5, Exception Item 2; and in Group U occupancies that are accessory to Group R-3 occupancy or accessory to individual dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies:
6.1. Sum of treads and risers. The sum of two risers plus one tread exclusive of nosing shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) nor more than 25.5 inches (648 mm).
6.2. Dimensions of treads and risers. The maximum riser height shall be 8.25 inches (210 mm) and the minimum tread depth shall be 9 inches (229 mm) plus nosing. Treads may be undercut a distance equal to the nosing. A 1.25-inch (32 mm) nosing shall be provided on stairways with solid risers where the tread depth is less than 11 inches (279 mm).
6.3. Tolerances. The greatest riser height, tread depth, and nosing projection, within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 0.375 (9.5 mm).
7. In Group R-3 occupancies; and within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; winders shall have a minimum tread depth of 10 inches (254 mm) measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a right angle to the tread's leading edge, when measured at a point 12 inches (305 mm) from the side where the treads are narrower. Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of 6 inches (152 mm) at any point. Within any flight of stairs, the greatest winder tread depth at the 12-inch (305 mm) walk line shall not exceed the smallest by more than 0.375 inch (9.5 mm).
Stair treads and risers shall be of uniform size and shape. The tolerance between the largest and smallest riser or between the largest and smallest tread shall not exceed 0.375 inch (9.5 mm) in any flight of stairs.
Exceptions:
2. Consistently shaped winders, complying with Section 1009.8, differing from rectangular treads in the same stairway flight.
3. Where the bottom or top riser adjoins a sloping public way, walkway or driveway having an established grade and serving as a landing, the bottom or top riser is permitted to be reduced along the slope to less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height with the variation in height of the bottom or top riser not to exceed one unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8-percent slope) of stairway width. The nosings or leading edges of treads at such nonuniform height risers shall have a distinctive marking stripe, different from any other nosing marking provided on the stair flight. The distinctive marking stripe shall be visible in descent of the stair and shall have a slip-resistant surface. Marking stripes shall have a width of at least 1 inch (25 mm) but not more than 2 inches (51 mm).
The radius of curvature at the leading edge of the tread shall be not greater than 0.5 inch (12.7 mm). Beveling of nosings shall not exceed 0.5 inch (12.7 mm). 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 (0.52 rad) from the vertical. The leading edge (nosings) of treads shall project not more than 1.25 inches (32 mm) 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 a flight. Perforated risers with openings not exceeding 0.25 inch (6.4 mm) shall be considered solid risers.
Exceptions:
1. Solid risers are not required for stairways that are not serving as means of egress or that are not required to comply with Section 1007.3, provided that the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 4 inches (102 mm).
2. Solid risers are not required for occupancies in Group I-3.
3. In Group R-3 occupancies, the following shall apply:
3.1. The radius of curvature at the leading edge of the tread shall be no greater than 0.5625 inch (14.3 mm).
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.
Exceptions:
1. Aisle stairs complying with Section 1024.
2. Doors opening onto a landing shall not reduce the landing to less than 75 percent of the required width. When fully open, the door shall not project more than 7 inches (178 mm) into a landing.
All stairways shall be built of materials consistent with the type permitted for the type of construction of the building, except that wood handrails shall be permitted for all types of construction.
The walking surface of treads and landings of a stairway shall not be sloped steeper than one unit vertical in 48 units horizontal (2-percent slope) in any direction. Stairway treads and landings shall have a solid surface. Finish floor surfaces shall be securely attached.
Exception: In Group F, H and S occupancies, other than areas of parking structures accessible to the public, openings in treads and landings shall not be prohibited provided a sphere with a diameter of 11/8 inches (29 mm) cannot pass through the opening.
Outdoor stairways and outdoor approaches to stairways shall be designed so that water will not accumulate on walking surfaces. In other than occupancies in Group R-3, and occupancies in Group U that are accessory to an occupancy in Group R-3, treads, platforms and landings that are part of exterior stairways in climates subject to snow or ice shall be protected to prevent the accumulation of same.
A flight of stairs shall not have a vertical rise greater than 12 feet (3658 mm) between floor levels or landings, except that the vertical rise shall not be greater than 8 feet (2438 mm) in Group A and I occupancies.
Exception: Aisle stairs comply with Section 1024.
Circular stairways shall have a minimum tread depth and a maximum riser height in accordance with Section 1009.3 and the smaller radius shall not be less than twice the width of the stairway. The minimum tread depth measured 12 inches (305 mm) from the narrower end of the tread shall not be less than 11 inches (279 mm). The minimum tread depth at the narrow end shall not be less than 10 inches (254 mm).
Exception: For occupancies in Group R-3, and within individual dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2.
Winders are not permitted in means of egress stairways except in R-3 occupancies or within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies.
Spiral stairways are permitted to be used as a component in the means of egress only within dwelling units or from a space not more than 250 square feet (23 m2 ) in area and serving not more than five occupants, or from galleries, catwalks and gridirons in accordance with Section 1014.6. A spiral stairway shall have a 7.5-inch (191 mm) minimum clear tread depth at a point 12 inches (305 mm) from the narrow edge. The risers shall be sufficient to provide a headroom of 78 inches (1981 mm) minimum, but riser height shall not be more than 9.5 inches (241 mm). The minimum stairway width shall be 26 inches (660 mm).
Alternating tread devices are limited to an element of a means of egress in buildings of Groups F, H and S from a mezzanine not more than 250 square feet (23 m2) in area and which serves not more than five occupants; in buildings of Group I-3 from a guard tower, observation station or control room not more than 250 square feet (23 m2) in area and for access to unoccupied roofs.
Handrails shall be provided on both sides of alternating tread devices and shall conform to Section 1009.11.