How To Look At A House
McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of
site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes
What is code for stair risers?
Sunday, March 15, 2020
The maximum riser (vertical part) of a stair is 7-3/4” according to the International Residential Code (IRC R311.7.5.1). Combine that 7-3/4” riser with a 10” minimum tread (horizontal part) and you have the steepest stair allowed by code. However, when a tread is less than 11” you must make up the difference with a nosing (extension over the face of the riser below). In this case it would be 1”. See our blog post When is a nosing required on a stair tread? for more on this.
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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about STAIRS:
• What do home inspectors check when inspecting 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)?
• 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 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?
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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