Thread: 1976 Standard Building Code

Hi. Can anyone tell me where I could track down a copy of the 1976 edition of the Standard Building Code? I need to know the requirements for stairs and lighting at that time. So far, I've had no luck with any towns in my area having a copy on hand. Any help would be great. Thank you.

I can't help you with specifics but I offer this. Sometime just a little different wording in a search can open up new paths.
Standard Building Code (SBC) by the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI)
Here is a little info on the history of the codes.

Since the early 1900s, the system of building regulations in the United States was based on model building codes developed by three regional model code groups. The codes developed by the Building Officials Code Administrators International (BOCA) were used on the East Coast and throughout the Midwest of the United States, while the codes from the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) were used in the Southeast and the codes published by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) covered the West Coast. Although regional code development has been effective and responsive to the regulatory needs of the local jurisdictions, by early 1990s it became obvious that the country needed a single coordinated set of national model building codes. The nation’s three model code groups decided to combine their efforts and in 1994 formed the International Code Council (ICC) to develop codes that would have no regional limitations.

From The History of Building Codes - Texas Professional Real Estate Inspectors Association, TPREIA - Texas Building Inspectors - Texas property Inspectors - Texas Real Estate Inspectors - Texas home inspector training - Texas home inspector education

IF ... that big IF ... the building department which was the AHJ where the house is located had adopted that code at the time of construction, they should have a copy in their archives.

If they do not have a copy, there is a good chance that the code was not adopted, many places still do not have full and proper codes adopted.

Well, I have a copy of the town's ordinances showing that this particular edition was adopted, but that same town does not have a copy in their archives... which I found odd because I figured they probably should. I suppose I'll just keep calling places and asking around. Thanks for your help!

Hey Heather,

I don't know if this will help you, but I was able to download a PDF of the 1976 Standard Building Codes here ICC - International Code Council. They have a state section. It installs as a .exe, but then you can open the PDF after you install it.

Back then, for dwellings, the code for stairs was two risers plus one run had to equal between 24 and 25 (I don't remember the maximum rise, but 8 inches comes to mind and the minimum run on 9 inches comes to mind).

An example would be 2 8" risers + 1 9" run = 16 + 9 = 25.

Another example would be 2 7-1/2" risers + 1 9" run = 24.

A tread (the "run") of less than 10 inches required a nosing of 1" to 1-1/4".

Thus a 9" tread with a 1" nosing gave a 10" tread at the time. Today, that would be measured as a 9" tread.

The lighting was as I recall basically similar to today with one light providing light for the stairs.

Originally Posted by Heather M

Hi. Can anyone tell me where I could track down a copy of the 1976 edition of the Standard Building Code? I need to know the requirements for stairs and lighting at that time. So far, I've had no luck with any towns in my area having a copy on hand. Any help would be great. Thank you.

I'm not sure, but unless this is for a research project, you may be going through a lot of effort for nothing. 1976 was a long time ago. If you are looking for the information to determine liability, then in most states I believe its too long ago from a lawsuit standpoint.

Originally Posted by Heather M

Hi. Can anyone tell me where I could track down a copy of the 1976 edition of the Standard Building Code? I need to know the requirements for stairs and lighting at that time. So far, I've had no luck with any towns in my area having a copy on hand. Any help would be great. Thank you.

What town in TN?

What are you trying to discover?

Originally Posted by Heather M

Hi. Can anyone tell me where I could track down a copy of the 1976 edition of the Standard Building Code? I need to know the requirements for stairs and lighting at that time. So far, I've had no luck with any towns in my area having a copy on hand. Any help would be great. Thank you.

I know you need it in a rush, so this may not help you. But, if your local library belongs to interlibrary loan service, you may get a copy that way. But it may be a few weeks to get it though.

McKenzie, TN

I need to find out the requirements for stairs and lighting.

Try here: https://archive.org/details/standardbuilding00unse

Originally Posted by Heather M

Hi. Can anyone tell me where I could track down a copy of the 1976 edition of the Standard Building Code? I need to know the requirements for stairs and lighting at that time. So far, I've had no luck with any towns in my area having a copy on hand. Any help would be great. Thank you.

I have the 1976 UBC. Stair risers (sfd) 8" rise and 9" run - like Jerry said....

Lighting for the stairs I could not pin down....but should be lit for safety.