Replies

1. 
   mike_maines | Apr 14, 2008 01:16am | #1

   Is this just a one-riser step up?  Then just run the platform level and don't worry about the difference.  The phrase "split the difference" is your friend when working on old houses.

   If it's more than one riser, keep the heights the same at the path of travel (probably the center of the tread in this case).

2. 
   Schelling | Apr 14, 2008 04:20am | #2

   I would make the stair level as is the platform. The fact that the last riser is different will make no difference in this case.

   In a full set of stairs the change in height might be a problem( though probably not 5/8") but that is because the walker accustoms themselves to a consistent rise after a couple of steps. There is no chance to do this with just two steps.  Unless the riser height was vastly different no one will know.

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Apr 14, 2008 04:25am | #3

   The entire question and scene makes my head hurt LOL. Thats why I couldn't answer.

   Tear the house down! Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

2. 
   KFC | Apr 14, 2008 07:02am | #4

   isn't the max. variance 3/8" by code?  or does it not matter with one step?...

   i don't know about canada (where the op's profile says he's from).

   k

    

1. 
   Schelling | Apr 15, 2008 12:31am | #6

   There is no saying what interpretation a BI will make though I have never actually had one measure all the risers in a set of stairs. This would probably only come up in the case of an accidental fall and then a variance outside of the code might result in a serious liability problem.

   My point is that it takes more than one step for walker to feel the difference in heights to the point where they would stumble if the risers were not perfectly uniform. Since it won't be perfectly uniform no matter what you do in this case, choose whatever solution you think is best and nobody will ever know the difference.

1. 
   KFC | Apr 15, 2008 01:57am | #7

   The last commercial job I worked on, the inspector checked everything.  (Although, the owners had previously tried to install a 2nd sewer lateral with no permit and got red-tagged, so he was probably being extra persnickety) 

   I believe if the op wanted to, he could do it so he'd have no more than 5/16th variance from riser to riser. 

   In this case, I don't actually know if the 3/8" rule even applies, I'll have to look up what the min. # of rises is for that to come into play. 

   plus, he's in canada.

   plus the whole shebang sounds odd to begin with, so it's all probably moot.

   k

1. 
   GOLDENBOY | Apr 15, 2008 02:49am | #8

   I'm in western Canada, and I'm pretty sure there is no 3/8 rule.  ( Guess it would be a 1 cm. rule?)  There is a concept of normal construction tolerances. 

   Persanally I would split the diff and build the riser 5/16 higher at one end.

    

3. 
   MFournier | Apr 14, 2008 08:20am | #5

   As for a run of steps no more then 1/4" between steps is code in my area.

   But if this is just two risers and the difference is from one side to the next not between two riser heights you would only notice if you stepped down at the end with the most extreme difference.

   If the max is 5/8 over 5 feet then the difference in the center would be 5/16 which is just a little over a 1/4 so you should be OK. you could split the difference but don't think it will matter since most people walk up the center of a step. and the difference is only half of the 5/8 total at that point.