Exterior Door Steps Code

Code requirements for exterior doors are covered in chapter 10 of the ibc.

Exterior door steps code.

So this basically sums up the basic code requirements for residential stairs and their dimensions. Building code for steps. The height of your front entry step called risers according to code can be no higher than 7 3 4 inches. For example by allowing two steps up to a total of 15 1 2 in.

Any of you that have tried to open your door with a bag of groceries and have had to back down a step or two to get the door open can appreciate the wisdom in that one. Maximum 4 1 2 inch handrail projection into stairway width on either side. Wider porch steps allow two or more people to comfortably navigate the staircase. While the finer details will ultimately be influenced by your local government s building regulations the international building code the international residential code and the standards set by the americans with disabilities act of 1990 maintain that exterior stairs that are a required point of egress in other words stairs that must be crossed on your way in and out of the building.

Exterior or outdoor stair railing guardrail landing tread and step specifications codes construction requirements for safe outdoor steps stairs railings newel posts outdoor stair railing safety hazards photos of defects. For all non egress exterior doors the 2003 code update allows a 7 3 4 in. Minimum 36 inch clear width for stairway. Defects in masonry steps and landings outdoors sketches of exterior stair design requirements questions answers about exterior stair code specifications.

The maximum transmitted temperature end point shall not exceed 450 degrees f above ambient at the end of 30 minutes of the fire exposure specified in u b c. This chapter provides guidelines on door height and width based on the function of the structure. This allowance provides some design flexibility. The minimum width for porch steps is 36 inches but 48 to 60 inches provides more comfortable access.

Doors shall be maintained self closing or shall be automatic closing by actuation of a smoke detector as provided for in section 4306 b. Entry step risers treads. Step down on the interior and up to two steps down to the landing on the exterior regardless of which way the door swings it can only swing over one step. Building code enforcement personnel take stairway.

Summary of code requirements for residential stairs. Porch steps 48 inches wide accommodate one person easily and safely.