Maximum step down for a french door

[TIM MASTICK]

We have an outswinging french door with a 6" step and was told this can be no more than 1 1/2" step down. I just wanted to clarify before I rip out the door and have it swing inward. This door goes out to a patio and the other door in the room goes to the garage. This door is also the only one on this floor that takes you outside of the home without going up a flight of stairs.

[wayne soper]

This should help

From the 2006 IRC.

R311.4.3 Landings at doors.

There shall be a floor or landing
on each side of each exterior door. The floor or landing
at the exterior door shall not be more than 1.5 inches (38
mm) lower than the top of the threshold. The landing shall
be permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 unit vertical
in 12 units horizontal (2-percent).


Exceptions:

1. Where a stairway of two or fewer risers is located
on the exterior side of a door, other than the
required exit door, a landing is not required for the
exterior side of the door provided the door, other
than an exterior storm or screen door does not
swing over the stairway.
2. The exterior landing at an exterior doorway shall
not be more than 7

3/4 inches (196 mm) below the
top of the threshold, provided the door, other than
an exterior storm or screen door does not swing
over the landing.
3. The height of floors at exterior doors other than the
exit door required by Section R311.4.1 shall not be
more than 73/4 inches (186 mm) lower than the top
of the threshold.
The width of each landing shall not be less than the door
served. Every landing shall have a minimum dimension of

36 inches (914 mm) measured in the direction of travel.

[Rick Cantrell]

That is correct.
The landing on an outswing door can be no greater than 1.5 inches below the threshold.
I have included the code that addresses this.


R311.4.3 Landings at doors. There shall be a floor or landing
on each side of each exterior door. The floor or landing
at the exterior door shall not be more than 1.5 inches (38
mm) lower than the top of the threshold. The landing shall
be permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 unit vertical
in 12 units horizontal (2-percent).

Exceptions:

1. Where a stairway of two or fewer risers is located
on the exterior side of a door, other than the
required exit door, a landing is not required for the
exterior side of the door provided the door, other
than an exterior storm or screen door does not
swing over the stairway.
2. The exterior landing at an exterior doorway shall
not be more than 73/4 inches (196 mm) below the
top of the threshold, provided the door, other than
an exterior storm or screen door does not swing
over the landing.
3. The height of floors at exterior doors other than the
exit door required by Section R311.4.1 shall not be
more than 73/4 inches (186 mm) lower than the top
of the threshold.
The width of each landing shall not be less than the door
served. Every landing shall have a minimum dimension of
36 inches (914 mm) measured in the direction of travel.

[Bob Spermo]

Tim,

Could you build a platform on top of the patio to reduce the drop? Of course the platform would have to be big enough to accomodate the outswing door.

[TIM MASTICK]

Thanks so much for the info...

[TIM MASTICK]

A platform was my 1st thought until I layed it out. It was so big it impeded the walkway so that is out. Just going to have to flip the door.....

[Rick Cantrell]

If you flip the door so that it opens inward, be sure that the door does not block a light switch.
:rolleyes:

[TIM MASTICK]

thanks for the heads up

[Jerry Peck]

A platform was my 1st thought until I layed it out. It was so big it impeded the walkway so that is out. Just going to have to flip the door.....

Make sure the door is suitable to be switched around like that - most exterior doors are not suitable to just turn around and use backward - the door, weather strip, and threshold are designed to be installed with the exterior side facing the exterior. Switching the door around will likely defeat all those weather resisting features, besides, doors are rated for given wind pressures and if the door is installed backward there is no rating.

[TIM MASTICK]

Didnt even think of that thanks

[Beth Wilson]

That is correct.
The landing on an outswing door can be no greater than 1.5 inches below the threshold.
I have included the code that addresses this.


R311.4.3 Landings at doors.

There shall be a floor or landing
on each side of each exterior door. The floor or landing
at the exterior door shall not be more than 1.5 inches (38
mm) lower than the top of the threshold. The landing shall
be permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 unit vertical
in 12 units horizontal (2-percent).


Exceptions:


1. Where a stairway of two or fewer risers is located
on the exterior side of a door, other than the
required exit door, a landing is not required for the
exterior side of the door provided the door, other
than an exterior storm or screen door does not
swing over the stairway.
2. The exterior landing at an exterior doorway shall
not be more than 7

3/4 inches (196 mm) below the
top of the threshold, provided the door, other than
an exterior storm or screen door does not swing
over the landing.
3. The height of floors at exterior doors other than the
exit door required by Section R311.4.1 shall not be
more than 73/4 inches (186 mm) lower than the top
of the threshold.
The width of each landing shall not be less than the door
served. Every landing shall have a minimum dimension of

36 inches (914 mm) measured in the direction of travel.

Hello, I'm planning a project that requires a step down out of a french door (swings inward) and was wondering what your opinion was on the "comfortable" distance to step down would be? I understand it can't be more than 7 3/4", it won't be, as it will only be 2 steps down to grade level, which is only 1'7" to the bottom of the threshold. As you see in the photo, I'm imagining a 4" drop to the landing. What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
Beth

[Jerry Peck]

The "comfortable" riser height varies from person to person.

Your drawing shows 3 risers, all 3 risers need to be the same, with a maximum difference of 3/8" between the tallest riser and the shortest riser.

Also, the top landing is shown radiused and needs to be, minimum, the width to the door x 3 feet ... then it can be radiused for the semi-cirular look you drew.

[Beth Wilson]

The "comfortable" riser height varies from person to person.

Your drawing shows 3 risers, all 3 risers need to be the same, with a maximum difference of 3/8" between the tallest riser and the shortest riser.

Also, the top landing is shown radiused and needs to be, minimum, the width to the door x 3 feet ... then it can be radiused for the semi-cirular look you drew.

Thanks for the quick response! I had a few questions about your answer... Are you referring to the "3rd" riser as what is actually the face of the house below the threshold? I don't believe it is high enough off the ground (soon to be patio) for 3 outside steps. Also, the width of the door is 6'4", I had the depth of the tread at its widest point as 36", is that supposed to be 38" because of the width? Our frost line is 32" so we will probably dig footers with rebar added for the steps. Is all this decision making about the riser heights technically finalized after the footings and stone are in?
Thanks Again!
Beth

[Jerry Peck]

Are you referring to the "3rd" riser as what is actually the face of the house below the threshold?

Yes.


I don't believe it is high enough off the ground (soon to be patio) for 3 outside steps.

The maximum for each riser is 7-3/4".

If the height is greater than 7-3/4", a minimum of two risers is required.

If over 15-1/2", then a minimum of three risers is required.

Every increment over a multiple of 7-3/4" means another riser is required.

Divide the total height in inches by 7.75, ANY amount over a whole number means you go to the next higher whole number. Divide the total height by that number (the number of risers) and you get the riser height of each riser.


Also, the width of the door is 6'4", I had the depth of the tread at its widest point as 36", is that supposed to be 38" because of the width?

Go a minimum of 36" out perpendicular from each side of the door width - that is the required minimum landing size.