Code Violations in June 2022 Fine Homebuilding
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Am I the only one who gets rather frustrated when FH highlights open riser stairs that do not comply with the building code? The June 2022 issue shows a picture of some beautiful stairs on page 68 but the open risers would clearly allow the passage of a 4″ sphere. And a 6″ sphere would easily pass beneath the railings/guard on the open side of the stairs. Also, the opposite page shows a front porch without a guard despite the ground being well over 30″ below. Are there exceptions to the code I’m unaware of? What are builders to tell clients who show them these pictures and say “Do This” when we know that we actually can’t and provide a certificate of occupancy.
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I agree with you. I often have to cry when I see things like this in FHB. They give me the title of "Editorial Advisor" yet rarely , very rarely, ever ask me to review articles and photos for obvious problems like those you point out. When Matt Millham was an editor he caught many of the problems but I think Patrick is the only one left with any true construction knowledge regarding building practices and building codes.
And you only highlighted a couple of the code violations in the stairs. In addition to those, the openings between the cables in the infill are greater than 3-1/2 in. (the nominal distance between cables that can meet the <4-3/8 in. for stairway guard infill when cables are used), the cable supports and spacers are greater than 3 ft. which translate into even closer cable spacing to avoid stretching beyond the maximum spacing. The rail on top of the guard doesn't look like it meets the handrail size/shape requirement (it looks too wide with too great of a diagonal cross section). And there's no safety terminal on the end of the handrail. I wonder if the stairway was ever reviewed by a code official.
Thanks for pointing out the deficiencies. Hopefully people read your comment before attempting to install a similar stairway.
One of the striking differences the past couple of years between Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking is how much more attention Fine Woodworking still pays to techniques, skills, and start to finish processes for a particular project. Fine Homebuilding has shifted significantly to building science issues (has a place and a good thing, in balance), emerging product technologies, and design issues, while a focus on techniques and skills have diminished. I still find the magazine useful but it is less now than what I cherished about the magazine 10-15+ years ago. The wisdom of the Guertins and Engels (and others), sharing their skills from the field, are the core of this enterprise.
I strongly agree. When the FHB first came out, I was just starting out as a contractor. I learn visually so much of diagrams and pictures showing how something was done were eye opening to me. Now its just pretty pictures of pretty houses with no meat. Shame on you FHB.