Thread: Minimum window height / guard at stairwell landing

Need it fast, and cannot find it in my notes:

What are the height / guard requirements for windows at residential stairway landings?

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Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

Need it fast, and cannot find it in my notes:

What are the height / guard requirements for windows at residential stairway landings?

2009 IRC
Chapter 3
Section R308 Glazing
R308.4 Hazardous locations
See Numbered list with exceptions. See especially Number 3, and for your pictured see also especially Numbers 7 and 8. I don't see a door, but if in proximity see Number 1, if the door contains glazing see Number 2.

Clickable link to 2009 IRC page at R308.4: Chapter 3 - Building Planning

See also R312 Guards and R311.

Might be more applicable to refer to property maintenance code depending on situation and jurisdiction.

R308.4 Hazardous locations. The following shall be considered specific hazardous locations for the purposes of glazing:

1. Glazing in all fixed and operable panels of swinging, sliding and bifold doors.

Exceptions:

1. Glazed openings of a size through which a 3-inch diameter (76 mm) sphere is unable to pass.
2. Decorative glazing.

2. Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel adjacent to a door where the nearest vertical edge is within a 24-inch (610 mm) arc of the door in a closed position and whose bottom edge is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the floor or walking surface.

Exceptions:

1. Decorative glazing.
2. When there is an intervening wall or other permanent barrier between the door and the glazing.
3. Glazing in walls on the latch side of and perpendicular to the plane of the door in a closed position.
4. Glazing adjacent to a door where access through the door is to a closet or storage area 3 feet (914 mm) or less in depth.
5. Glazing that is adjacent to the fixed panel of patio doors.

3. Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel that meets all of the following conditions:

• 3.1. The exposed area of an individual pane is larger than 9 square feet (0.836 square meters); and
• 3.2. The bottom edge of the glazing is less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor; and
• 3.3. The top edge of the glazing is more than 36 inches (914 mm) above the floor; and
• 3.4. One or more walking surfaces are within 36 inches (914 mm), measured horizontally and in a straight line, of the glazing.

Exceptions:

1. Decorative glazing.
2. When a horizontal rail is installed on the accessible side(s) of the glazing 34 to 38 inches (864 to 965) above the walking surface. The rail shall be capable of withstanding a horizontal load of 50 pounds per linear foot (730 N/m) without contacting the glass and be a minimum of 11/2 inches (38 mm) in cross sectional height.
3. Outboard panes in insulating glass units and other multiple glazed panels when the bottom edge of the glass is 25 feet (7620 mm) or more above grade, a roof, walking surfaces or other horizontal [within 45 degrees (0.79 rad) of horizontal] surface adjacent to the glass exterior.

7. Glazing adjacent to stairways, landings and ramps within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally of a walking surface when the exposed surface of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the plane of the adjacent walking surface.

Exceptions:

1. When a rail is installed on the accessible side(s) of the glazing 34 to 38 inches (864 to 965 mm) above the walking surface. The rail shall be capable of withstanding a horizontal load of 50 pounds per linear foot (730 N/m) without contacting the glass and be a minimum of 11/2 inches (38 mm) in cross sectional height.
2. The side of the stairway has a guardrail or handrail, including balusters or in-fill panels, complying with Sections R311.7.7 and R312 and the plane of the glazing is more than 18 inches (457 mm) from the railing; or
3. When a solid wall or panel extends from the plane of the adjacent walking surface to 34 inches (863 mm) to 36 inches (914 mm) above the walking surface and the construction at the top of that wall or panel is capable of withstanding the same horizontal load as a guard.

8. Glazing adjacent to stairways within 60 inches (1524 mm) horizontally of the bottom tread of a stairway in any direction when the exposed surface of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the nose of the tread.

Exceptions:

1. The side of the stairway has a guardrail or handrail, including balusters or in-fill panels, complying with R311.7.7 and R312 and the plane of the glass is more than 18 inches (457 mm) from the railing; or
2. When a solid wall or panel extends from the plane of the adjacent walking surface to 34 inches (864 mm) to 36 inches (914 mm) above the walking surface and the construction at the top of that wall or panel is capable of withstanding the same horizontal load as a guard.

Michael,

The view out the window suggests this is perhaps a multi-floor multi-family building. IRC references wouldn't apply to same, access areas, limited common areas, or necessarily inside of the dwelling unit either, for that you'd want IBC references, or if within the City of Chicago...their references. Maintaining guards would be property maintenance codes.

If its safety glass it doesn't necessarily require a guard. However, the distance from floor looks less than 18" to the opening, and unknown what that opening's elevation above outside grade is, it may need a guard as well, regardless of the status of the safety glass (if present) to prevent children/etc. from falling (i.e. screen guard, etc.)

Forgot the preliminary portion regarding glazing and safety glazing for the hazardous areas referenced in earlier post from the 2009 IRC, here goes:

SECTION R308 GLAZING

R308.1 Identification. Except as indicated in Section R308.1.1 each pane of glazing installed in hazardous locations as defined in Section R308.4 shall be provided with a manufacturer's designation specifying who applied the designation, designating the type of glass and the safety glazing standard with which it complies, which is visible in the final installation. The designation shall be acid etched, sandblasted, ceramic-fired, laser etched, embossed, or be of a type which once applied cannot be removed without being destroyed. A label shall be permitted in lieu of the manufacturer's designation.

Exceptions:

1. For other than tempered glass, manufacturer's designations are not required provided the building official approves the use of a certificate, affidavit or other evidence confirming compliance with this code.
2. Tempered spandrel glass is permitted to be identified by the manufacturer with a removable paper designation.

R308.1.1 Identification of multiple assemblies. Multipane assemblies having individual panes not exceeding 1 square foot (0.09 m2) in exposed area shall have at least one pane in the assembly identified in accordance with R308.1. All other panes in the assembly shall be labeled "CPSC 16 CFR 1201" or "ANSI Z97.1" as appropriate.

HTH.

R308.4 - #7 & #8

Thanks to you both.