Minimum step down from threshold .. Exterior Egress

Vin Ross · 08-05-2012, 09:06 PM

Howdy, Installing sliders for egress which will be at grade. Will be pouring concrete for a patio. It looks like the maximum step down from threshold is 7 3/4". What would the minimum be? I am wondering what the code is and I obviously do not want rain water entering the dwelling. Thanks In advance.

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**John Kogel** · 08-05-2012, 09:50 PM

I don't know the answer but I know something else to be aware of.

The space between the surface of the patio and the bottom of your siding, assuming a wood-framed house, should be 8", certainly no less than 6".

Assuming a wood doorsill, you don't want less than 6" there either. But I think you will get different opinions on that, and it depends on your local rules to some extent.

**Aaron Miller** · 08-06-2012, 02:43 AM

1.5" is minimum threshold height to grade.

**Jerry Peck** · 08-06-2012, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

1.5" is minimum threshold height to grade.

Not quite correct:
- From the 2009 IRC:
- - R311.3.1 Floor elevations at the required egress doors. Landings or floors at the required egress door shall not be more than 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) lower than the top of the threshold.
- - - Exception: The exterior landing or floor shall not be more than 7 3/4 inches (196 mm) below the top of the threshold provided the door does not swing over the landing or floor.
- - - - When exterior landings or floors serving the required egress door are not at grade, they shall be provided with access to grade by means of a ramp in accordance with Section R311.8 or a stairway in accordance with Section R311.7.

The floor or landing shall not be more than 1-1/2 inches below the top of the threshold, unless ...

... unless the door does not swing out over the landing or floor, in which case the floor or landing is allowed to be up to 7-3/4 inches below the top of the threshold.

However if the door was the required egress door (the sliding glass door is not) ... but if it was, then - if the landing was not "at grade" - a ramp would be required from the landing down to grade.

**Aaron Miller** · 08-07-2012, 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Not quite correct:

However if the door was the required egress door (the sliding glass door is not) ... but if it was, then - if the landing was not "at grade" - a ramp would be required from the landing down to grade.

JP: From the OP:

Howdy, Installing sliders for egress which will be at grade. Will be pouring concrete for a patio.

My statement addressed the OP's question as it was stated. If the doors are to be egress doors, AS STATED, then the minimum height of the threshold must be 1.5".

Why do you disagree?

**Aaron Miller** · 08-07-2012, 08:56 AM

Sorry, I missed the word "dwelling" in the OP . . . So that eliminates a sliding door as an egress option . . . my apologies . . . but, if an other occupancy . . . and IBC . . .

1008.1.3.3 Horizontal sliding doors. In other than
GroupHoccupancies, horizontal sliding doors permitted
to be a component of a means of egress in accordance
with Exception 6 to Section 1008.1.2 shall comply with
all of the following criteria:
1. The doors shall be power operated and shall be
capable of being operated manually in the event of
power failure.
2. The doors shall be openable by a simple method
from both sides without special knowledge or
effort.
3. The force required to operate the door shall not
exceed 30 pounds (133 N) to set the door in motion
and 15 pounds (67 N) to close the door or open it to
the minimum required width.
4. The door shall be openable with a force not to
exceed 15 pounds (67 N) when a force of 250
pounds (1100 N) is applied perpendicular to the
door adjacent to the operating device.

**Jerry Peck** · 08-07-2012, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

Sorry, I missed the word "dwelling" in the OP . . . So that eliminates a sliding door as an egress option . . . my apologies . . . but, if an other occupancy . . . and IBC . . .

Aaron,

The other thing you missed was ... (I've added bold and underlining)

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

However if the door was the required egress door (the sliding glass door is not) ...

You did get the "(the sliding glass door is not)" part - good.

Vin Ross · 08-07-2012, 06:55 PM

Thank You gentleman for all the responses.

The sliding glass door will not be a primary means of egress out of the house but rather just a means to get out onto the patio. The threshold of the vinyl sliders will actually be mounted on the cement slab as this is a walk out basement at grade. The property is residential. The area of the house that will be adjacent to the patio and slider is all concrete foundation. The closest wood material or wood sill would be at least five feet from the surface of the patio. The house sits on a hill so half of the basement in the rear is all at grade with 8' concrete side/knee walls.

From all your responses it looks like the minimum is 1.5" step down with no more than 7 3/4" step down from threshold. I am probably going to go with 6" or 7" as I live in the northeast and don't want snow or rain getting in. Someone mentioned to go with 8" but that looks like a no no.

**Jerry Peck** · 08-07-2012, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by Vin Ross

From all your responses it looks like the minimum is 1.5" step down with no more than 7 3/4" step down from threshold.

No, the MAXIMUM is 1-1/2".

UNLESS the door does not swing out over the landing (a sliding glass door does not swing, so this part is no problem), in which case the MAXIMUM is 7-3/4".