Replies

1. 
   user-14544 | Apr 19, 2008 05:28am | #1

   Code is:

   7 3/4" max rise

   10" min run (measured nosing to nosing)

   it's ok to think you're as old as you once were...just so long as you don't try to prove it...

   http://www.cobrajem.com

1. 
   robdog | Apr 19, 2008 06:48am | #3

   wow, the code here is 8 1/4 max rise.........

   that's filed in the ol brain, but i hadn't run into 'run' problems before, so never paid it much attention

    

   thanks again!

1. 
   ptp | Apr 19, 2008 07:16am | #4

   I was wondering about his numbers, too. Here it's 8" max rise and 9" minimum run.

1. 
   basswood | Apr 19, 2008 03:15pm | #6

   Charlie gave the IRC code numbers. IRC has been adopted in most places.

1. 
   mmoogie | Apr 19, 2008 05:44pm | #7

   I've gotta say the codes for stairs have gotten pretty harsh. Makes it rough to deal with some of the old-house scenarios that I come across. (sarcasm on now) How on earth did we all get to be grown adults without killing ourselves on all the treacherous stairs that exist in the world? (sarcasm off now)Steve

2. 
   basswood | Apr 19, 2008 06:13pm | #8

   The stairs I rebuilt a rail for a couple of weeks ago were built 100 years prior, with 7" rises and 9" treads. Flooring added years ago, to both floors, had changed the first rise to 6" and the last rise to 8."Old guardrail, 29" tall with baluster on 6" centers.Since the homeowners removed the rail, during remodeling, the new rail had to meet code, but the stairs were an "existing condition"--grandfathered in.I think that the original stairs were fine (some of the old ones are almost ladders), but the flooring change introduced a trip hazard. Adding new treads would be an easy way to fix that though.Did you see my "Budget Balustrade" thread?103311.1

3. 
   mmoogie | Apr 19, 2008 06:27pm | #9

   Went and had a quick look...not a bad solution. Still it steams me to have to replace something that is well proportioned with something that is not, just to meet code, when it has served its purpose fine the way it was.One fix I've seen for the low balustrade problem is to add a second top rail above. Then at some later date, this top rail can conveniently disappear. I've yet to have the nerve to do it myself.Steve

   Edited 4/19/2008 11:28 am by mmoogie

4. 
   Bing187 | Apr 19, 2008 08:22pm | #11

   MA state code , IIRC, 8-1/4" max rise, 9-1/4" min, nose to nose. Back in "the day" did more than a couple shorter than that, tho, due to 24' deep houses with entry door, 36" entry and then stairs. Started clipping the hall ceilings when the code changed. Of course, that was also with7-6 ceilings, and 2x8 floor joists ,too, so total rise shorter than most (all) now. It sure was easier strapping 7-6 ceilings, thats fo sho.

   Bing

5. 
   Piffin | Apr 20, 2008 12:42am | #13

   "How on earth did we all get to be grown adults without killing ourselves on all the treacherous stairs that exist in the world? "Many of us didn't. Stairs used to be the most common source of injury accidents in the home, including many fatalities 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

6. 
   Henley | Apr 20, 2008 12:49am | #14

   Now it has been usurped by violent Nintendo "WII" accidents.

2. 
   Framer | Apr 20, 2008 01:00am | #15

   That's what it say's inthis link below.

   http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf

    

   In NJ, the IRC 2006 NJ Edition says:

   R311.5.3.1 Rise Height - 8-1/4"

   R311.5.3.2 Tread Depth - 9"

    Joe Carola

1. 
   user-14544 | Apr 21, 2008 05:09am | #19

   guess it depends where you live...

   I'm just re-spewing the 30 minute lecture we got at my cont. ed course 2 months ago when I renewed my builders license...Minnesota adopted the IIRC Code in July of last year.  Old code was 8"max rise and 9"min run.

   They also allow for a 4 3/8" max sphere on stair railings only...not landings or regular runs, just angle railings. 

   So who is safer??  Ours or yours???  Maybe we just have bigger feet here....

   ....and you know what they say about big feet!

    it's ok to think you're as old as you once were...just so long as you don't try to prove it...

   http://www.cobrajem.com

2. 
   rasconc | Apr 19, 2008 05:32am | #2

   Better check what your local code is.  Generally IIRC if you have 11" tread you do not need "lip" or nosing.  Seems to me a nosing is a toe catcher.  Does allow for shorter stair run over all though.

   http://www.stairways.org/codes_standards.htm

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Apr 20, 2008 08:48am | #16

   I don't agree. Nosings are a critical element and I thought they were always required but I'll stand corrected if someone can post some code language from somewhere other than a Yanomami camp. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

1. 
   rasconc | Apr 20, 2008 03:10pm | #17

   From the download of the link I posted:

   Download the 2006 Visual Interpretation of the Internation Residential Code Here .pdf format

    

   R311.5.3.3 Profile.

   The radius of curvature at the leading edge of the

   tread shall be no greater than 9/16 inch (14.3 mm).

   PHOTO 12. A nosing not less than 3⁄4 inch (19

   mm) but not more than 11⁄4 inches (32 mm) shall be

   provided on stairways with solid risers. PHOTO 13.

   The greatest nosing projection shall not exceed the

   smallest nosing projection by more than 3⁄8 inch (9.5

   mm) between two stories, including the nosing at the

   level of floors and landings. PHOTO 14. Beveling

   of nosing shall not exceed 1⁄2 inch (12.7 mm).

   PHOTO 15. Risers shall be vertical or sloped from

   the underside of the leading edge of the tread above

   at an angle not more than 30 (0.51 rad) degrees from

   the vertical. PHOTO 16. Open risers are permitted,

   provided that the opening between treads does not

   permit the passage of a 4-inch diameter (102 mm)

   sphere. PHOTO 17.

   Exceptions: 1. A nosing is not required where the

   tread depth is a minimum of 11 inches

   (279 mm).

   I believe you may consider yourself corrected (;-).  I am pretty sure it has been in there for some time, when I put my stairs to the basement in 98 it was NC code at least for solid risers.

    

   Edited 4/20/2008 8:12 am ET by rasconc

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Apr 20, 2008 03:45pm | #18

   I stand corrected. Thank you. It's always good to learn something technical about the trade I specialized in. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

3. 
   dovetail97128 | Apr 19, 2008 09:28am | #5

   Look at rasconcs link and on the right is a downloadable visual version of the code.

   Your answers are there if your area uses the IRC.

   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
1. 
   robdog | Apr 19, 2008 08:20pm | #10

   hey thanks!

4. 
   Piffin | Apr 20, 2008 12:31am | #12

   Depends where you live and what code is enforced there.

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!