How To Look At A House
McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of
site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes
Can a door swing out over the top of interior stairs without a landing?
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Both the International Residential Code (IRC) and the Residential Edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC R311.7.6) require a landing at the top and bottom of stairs. The landing should be equal to the width of the stairs and also extend in the direction of travel at least equal to the width of the stairs. But it allows one exception for the top of interior stairs, as shown above.
So you can install a door at the top of interior stairs like in the photo below, without a landing in front of it, as long as the door opens away from the stairs. But no doors opening over the stairs.
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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about STAIRS:
• What is the minimum headroom clearance for stairs?
• Is a landing always required at the top and bottom of stairs?
• When is a railing required at stairs?
• What is the building code for the minimum height of stair steps (risers)?
• When is a nosing required on a stair tread?
• What is the building code requirement for receptacle outlets at stairs and stair landings?
• Are open stair risers acceptable?
• What is the steepest residential stair allowed?
• Why is a single step dangerous in a house?
• Do I need stairs at all exit doors from a mobile home?
• The stairs feel too steep. What's the building code?
• What do home inspectors check when inspecting stairs?
• What is the longest stair run allowed?
• What is the lighting requirement for stairs?
• A light is required over a stair after how many steps/risers?
• When is safety glass required for windows at stairs and stair landings?
• What is the difference between a handrail and a guardrail?
Visit our STAIRS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.
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