Stairs and Handrails Inspection
Stairs
Though sometimes constructed of brick, concrete or metal, basic stairs in the home are usually constructed of wood. The typical components of wood stairs are the stringer, tread and riser. The stringer is the long, diagonal support(s) that run the entire length of the stairs. The supports are blocked, cut or notched to accept the individual treads and risers. There are usually two stringers, one on each side and occasionally a third in the middle. The tread is the flat surface that is stepped on; the width of the tread is equivalent to the run. The riser is the vertical component; the height of the riser is equivalent to the rise. Stairs without risers are called "open" stairs.
For safety and accessibility reasons, basic stairs are required to be constructed according the following general guidelines: (IRC 2009)
- The maximum height of the riser (or rise that a person needs to step up to the next stair) is 7.75 inches.
- The riser's height should not vary more than 3/8 inch between the shortest and tallest risers.
- The minimum width of the tread (or run) on which a person places their foot is 10 inches.
- The width of the tread should not vary more than 3/8 inch between the most narrow and most wide tread.
- Tread should be level with a maximum deviation of a 2% slope.
- To ensure stability, the minimum width at any point of stringer should be 3-1/2 inches.
- A vertical clearance of 6 feet 8 inches needs to be maintained between the stair and ceiling at all points.
- The stairwell must be a minimum of 36 inches wide from handrail to handrail.
For information regarding other requirements with components associated with stairs, click on the links below:
