Building codes for outside stairs

Last Edited By Krjb Donovan
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2014 03:06 PM GMT

Question

What are the codes for stairs leading up to your front door? My stairs are dangerous! They are uneven in both height and width.

Answer

Jessica,

  Max riser height 7 3/4" - max 3/8" difference between risers
  Min tread width 10" - max 3/8" difference between treads.
  The following is from the 2006 International Residential Code;
  R311.5 Stairways.

R311.5.1Width. Stairways shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height.

R311.5.3 Stair treads and risers. R311.5.3.1 Riser height. The maximum riser height shall be 7 3/4 inches (196 mm). The riser shall be measured vertically between leading edges of the adjacent treads. The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). R311.5.3.2 Tread depth. The minimum tread depth shall be 10 inches (254 mm). The tread depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a right

within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch

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