sefnfot
05-12-2011, 07:20 PM
Stairs Dimensions Help
While opening the ceiling in one of the apartment units that my family owns I found this one apartment had high ceiling and an existing attic. We were just going to replace the popcorn ceiling with drywall, but I decided to make the most use out of the extra space and convert the existing attic space to a loft. So we replaced the 2X6 rafters with 2X12 joists; to reinforce the attic flooring to use in the attic.
This is for one apartment in a 12 unit apartment building. Only this one apartment has this higher ceiling already built into the existing building. So all we did was 1) add sheer walls 2) replace the rafters into joists 3) add drywall 4) electrical 5) windows.
The current use of the apartment will be for me to use as an owner occupied unit, but I am concerned about the stairs dimensions. The stairs were created for only going from the loft to the living room of the room below; like a mausoleum.
The dimensions are as follows: there are 13 steps, the landing, and then one step from the landing to the loft floor. ( start counting from riser # 1 below)
---------------------------------Loft Floor
\14 riser 7” 7/8
---------------------------- Run 35”
\13 riser 6” 5/8
--------------------- Run 11”
\12 riser 7” 3/4
-------------- Run 10” 1/4
\11 riser 8” 3/16
------- Run 10” 1/2
\10 riser 8”
----------------------------------- Run 10” 1/2
\9 riser 8” 3/16
---------------------------- Run 10” 3/8
\8 riser 8” 1/16
--------------------- Run 10” 1/2
\7 riser 8” 1/8
-------------- Run 10” 1/4
\6 riser 8” 1/4
------------------------------------------ Run 10” 1/2
\5 riser 8” 1/8
---------------------------- Run 10” 1/2
\4 riser 7” 15/16
--------------------- Run 10” 1/2
\3 riser 8” 1/8
-------------- Run 10” 1/2
\2 riser 8” 3/8
------- Run 9” 1/2
\1 riser 8” 3/8
For now I need to point out that we tried to align the dimensions for the steps to existing walls limitations.
question is: Are the dimensions of these stairs dangerous enough for me to obligate the contractor to redo the work?
I understand that I am pushing the code requirements.
But I found that this information here Uniform Building Code for Stairs in California (http://www.ehow.com/list_6677904_uniform-building-code-stairs-california.html); www.ehow.com/list_6677904_uniform-building-code-stairs-california.html (http://www.ehow.com/list_6677904_uniform-building-code-stairs-california.html); can justify an exception for the tight space I am presented with.
Also it states About the RISERS (http://www.ehow.com/list_6619944_california-building-codes-stairways_.html); www.ehow.com/list_6619944_california-building-codes-stairways_.html (http://www.ehow.com/list_6619944_california-building-codes-stairways_.html) ;
Rise, Run and Step Surfaces
The code requires the rise, or vertical height, of stairs to fall between 4 and 7 and 1/2 inches. The run, or horizontal depth, of stairs to be 10 inches or greater. The law further specifies that the variance in tread run and rise height between the largest and smallest stairs must be no greater than 3/8 inch. Private stairways with occupant loads of fewer than 10 may have up to an 8-inch rise and a minimum of a 9-inch run.
So my questions are
Is the 1/4 inch in excess of the 8 inches mentioned above serious enough to be hazardous to cause safety and liability issues. Also note that this building was built in the 1920’s. or is it close enough for an inspector to allow an exception? For example the web pages listed above permits risers to be higher for some situations such as circular stairs.
All of the risers are less than 1/4 inch different; with exception of the top step to the landing and from the landing to the loft floor.
While opening the ceiling in one of the apartment units that my family owns I found this one apartment had high ceiling and an existing attic. We were just going to replace the popcorn ceiling with drywall, but I decided to make the most use out of the extra space and convert the existing attic space to a loft. So we replaced the 2X6 rafters with 2X12 joists; to reinforce the attic flooring to use in the attic.
This is for one apartment in a 12 unit apartment building. Only this one apartment has this higher ceiling already built into the existing building. So all we did was 1) add sheer walls 2) replace the rafters into joists 3) add drywall 4) electrical 5) windows.
The current use of the apartment will be for me to use as an owner occupied unit, but I am concerned about the stairs dimensions. The stairs were created for only going from the loft to the living room of the room below; like a mausoleum.
The dimensions are as follows: there are 13 steps, the landing, and then one step from the landing to the loft floor. ( start counting from riser # 1 below)
---------------------------------Loft Floor
\14 riser 7” 7/8
---------------------------- Run 35”
\13 riser 6” 5/8
--------------------- Run 11”
\12 riser 7” 3/4
-------------- Run 10” 1/4
\11 riser 8” 3/16
------- Run 10” 1/2
\10 riser 8”
----------------------------------- Run 10” 1/2
\9 riser 8” 3/16
---------------------------- Run 10” 3/8
\8 riser 8” 1/16
--------------------- Run 10” 1/2
\7 riser 8” 1/8
-------------- Run 10” 1/4
\6 riser 8” 1/4
------------------------------------------ Run 10” 1/2
\5 riser 8” 1/8
---------------------------- Run 10” 1/2
\4 riser 7” 15/16
--------------------- Run 10” 1/2
\3 riser 8” 1/8
-------------- Run 10” 1/2
\2 riser 8” 3/8
------- Run 9” 1/2
\1 riser 8” 3/8
For now I need to point out that we tried to align the dimensions for the steps to existing walls limitations.
question is: Are the dimensions of these stairs dangerous enough for me to obligate the contractor to redo the work?
I understand that I am pushing the code requirements.
But I found that this information here Uniform Building Code for Stairs in California (http://www.ehow.com/list_6677904_uniform-building-code-stairs-california.html); www.ehow.com/list_6677904_uniform-building-code-stairs-california.html (http://www.ehow.com/list_6677904_uniform-building-code-stairs-california.html); can justify an exception for the tight space I am presented with.
Also it states About the RISERS (http://www.ehow.com/list_6619944_california-building-codes-stairways_.html); www.ehow.com/list_6619944_california-building-codes-stairways_.html (http://www.ehow.com/list_6619944_california-building-codes-stairways_.html) ;
Rise, Run and Step Surfaces
The code requires the rise, or vertical height, of stairs to fall between 4 and 7 and 1/2 inches. The run, or horizontal depth, of stairs to be 10 inches or greater. The law further specifies that the variance in tread run and rise height between the largest and smallest stairs must be no greater than 3/8 inch. Private stairways with occupant loads of fewer than 10 may have up to an 8-inch rise and a minimum of a 9-inch run.
So my questions are
Is the 1/4 inch in excess of the 8 inches mentioned above serious enough to be hazardous to cause safety and liability issues. Also note that this building was built in the 1920’s. or is it close enough for an inspector to allow an exception? For example the web pages listed above permits risers to be higher for some situations such as circular stairs.
All of the risers are less than 1/4 inch different; with exception of the top step to the landing and from the landing to the loft floor.