Replies

1. 
   gordsco | Mar 02, 2009 06:57am | #1

   Typically up to inspectors, we try to avoid double rails, some fly some don't.

   Here in Halifax we've been going with min 43" between rails. Have had inspector interpret distance as tread width.

    Newer code is railing min 2" from wall. Hardwood 'bread' rail is approx 2 1/2" so enclosed stairway can be 46" wide before adding one rail.

    

1. 
   JeffyT | Mar 02, 2009 07:21am | #3

   Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. My stairwell is framed 46", so 45" finished. This is in a house I built ready-to-move last fall. I'm finishing the basement now and it's in an area where I don't usually work. He's nitpicking me, which is within his rights and I'm trying to live by the letter of the law as much as I can on this one.j

2. 
   ripperathome | Mar 02, 2009 07:13am | #2

   Umm around here its not up to the inspector - its the bcbc.

   On two sides if greater than 1100 mm, on both sides of curved stairs (except within dwelling units).

1. 
   JeffyT | Mar 02, 2009 07:31am | #4

   <Umm around here its not up to the inspector - its the bcbc.>It's ALWAYS up to the inspector. <On two sides if greater than 1100 mm, on both sides of curved stairs (except within dwelling units).>If WHAT greater than 1100 mm - tread width between skirts? above skirts? finished wall at handrail? inside faces of handrail? That number's a fair standard but leaves room for some discretion, as most stuff does. What I was fishing for with the first question was how that number gets applied different places. What do you do?j

1. 
   ripperathome | Mar 02, 2009 11:00pm | #5

   Easy sailor.
   You asked:"Any of you Canadian guys have your NBC handy?How wide does a residential stairwell need to be before I need to install a handrail on both sides?"I replied: "Umm around here its not up to the inspector - its the bcbc.On two sides if greater than 1100 mm, on both sides of curved stairs (except within dwelling units)."You asked what did the nbc state and that's the answer you got. How was I to know you were curious about the many other facets of stairwell openings.In MY experience the stairwell opening is measured the same way as a baluster spacing- between the two closest dimensions. Be that wallpaper drywall wainscott or a skirt.As far as who it's up to - my experience has been the following:
   If there is a disagreement between parties (local building inspector and a home owner); the municipal bylaws take precedence, followed by the provincial building code, followed by the NBC. The inspector is a servant of the building code. His/her whims are governed by the previous mentioned documents.I make sawdust everyday, all day. You?M

1. 
   JeffyT | Mar 05, 2009 08:59pm | #6

   <The inspector is a servant of the building code. His/her whims are governed by the previous mentioned documents.>No, the inspector in each jurisdiction INTERPRETS AND APPLIES the previously mentioned documents. I did finally call on this one and my local inspector's read is 1100mm between finished walls at handrail height. Inspector where the house is now located is measuring at tread nosing, which means that with skirt boards and wainscoting there are more than 3" of difference depending on who's applying. Would be nice if it weren't so, but it is. <I make sawdust everyday, all day. You?>I make less unnecessary dust by doing a bit of homework before I break out the saws. j