Thread: Yet another landing question

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:
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.

To settle a dispute:

1) Not required exit door
2) Storm door only swings over stairway

However per IRC requires landing as three or more risers.

Correct?

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looks like three risers to me. that'd mean you need a landing.

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

Correct?

Yes sir.

Thanks.

I was told I was reading 311.4.3 wrong.

Not.

I would still call it out anyway as a common sense thing, but guess I'm still a little fuzzy on the language ... "other than the required exit door"

If this is a back door or some other door other than the required "Exit Door" (i.e. assuming there is another, legal, front door), is a landing still required?

"If this is a back door or some other door other than the required "Exit Door" (i.e. assuming there is another, legal, front door), is a landing still required?"

Yes, all doors require a landing,
From the 2006 IRC

R311.4.3 Landings at doors.

There shall be a floor or landing
on each side of each exterior door.

Unless there is an exception to having a landing.
From the 2006 IRC
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.

Notice the exception is not for the required exit door.

I look at this way, ever city has their on rules about this type of stuff. Common seen tells me I want a landing both sides of the door. When I run into condition I tell them that I recommend a landing and tell them why. Plain not safe. Try carring a bag food and a kid, hold open the outside door and unlock inside door standing on a narrow step

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

I was told I was reading 311.4.3 wrong.

Michael,

Were you reading it from right to left? Maybe that is what they meant by 'reading it wrong'?

They mean I am trying to do my job, even if it is aggravating them.

Next up:

The 9th sq. foot exception does not apply to glazing adjacent to a stairway landing, correct?

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

The 9th sq. foot exception does not apply to glazing adjacent to a stairway landing, correct?

The 9 square foot exception is not even in the stair and landing section is it?

Then how could it apply?

Thus, to answer your question: Correct again.

In addition to a landing, how about a handrail for safety?

Originally Posted by Derek Lewis

In addition to a landing, how about a handrail for safety?

Noted in the report, along with the underwidth treads.

Follow up for fun: See attached photo. Question 1; does this landing meet the 2006 IRC?
Question 2: Does this landing meet the 2007 California Building Code?
If either answer is yes, quote code section.

OK Jerry
I'll take a swing at it.
The door looks to be 32" (counting the bricks)
So it is not (could not/ should not) be the required exit door.
Looks like it may be a patio door
(natural light, window shutter)
That step is not a landing.
(Landing, 36"x width of door min, not more that 1.5" below threshold)
So, there is not a landing at that door.
Should there be a landing there? Yes (if not a garage).