Hey all I used to visit here often a few years ago, but alas my Military Duties took me away for a bit.
Any who I am rebuilding a set of winder stairs and want to havethem meet code.
My local code says to reference IBC. OK, I ordered the IBC Book, and Code Check here but in the mean time if anyone has either handy can you look up three things so I can start laying them out on paper?
1. Minimum Tread Width at the inside of the stair cace.
2. Tread Width at 12″ in or Center Line of the walk path.
3. Minimum Tread Width with a 3/4″ riser board and 3/4″ overhang.
It is a very tight stair well opening and in order to meet 6’8″ head height I have to split two landings into a two step winder, or go back to an 8-1/2″ Rise.
Thanks, Dave
Replies
There seems to be a lot of confusion about winders. Some talk about the size of the point but I think the important issue is where the feet will fall in relation to the railing. With any stair, you are looking for consistency. When you figure stairs, the riser and the overhang are not included in determining the area for your foot to land on. We typically figure the feet to land about 12" from the inside edge of the railing. If your stairs are 7 5/8" rise by 10 1/4" tread, then the winders should correspond at 12" from the rail. Don't change the rise or the tread width or people will trip. The posts and the rail mounting will vary from stair to stair. As long as you keep the walking rhythm in the zone, I think you will be fine.
Dave,
Here is a link to a pdf from the Stairway Mfg Assoc that shows the 2003 IRC code related to stairs. The winder section is pretty clear.
http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2003%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf
Regards,
Dennis
dennis.. that was a great link... i printed it out and stuck it in my stair design 3-ring
i've got all of that in my copy of the IRC.. but the visuals and explanations are outstanding... thanksMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Dennis,
You the man,
Thanks, Dave.