Stairs, Ramps, Handrails and Guards
Application
(1)This Section applies to the design and construction of interior and exterior stairs, steps, ramps, landings, handrails and guards.
(1)Except as provided in Sentence 9.8.6.2 (3), stairs, ramps, landings, handrails and guards in a garage that serves a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite shall conform to the requirements for stairs, ramps, landings, handrails and guards within a dwelling unit.
(1)Where a stair, ramp or landing forms part of an exit, the appropriate requirements in Sections 9.9. and 9.10. shall also apply.
(1)Escalators and moving walks shall conform to the appropriate requirements in Part 3.
Stair Dimensions
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2) and Article 9.8.4.7., required exit stairs and public stairs serving buildings of residential occupancy shall have a width of not less than 900 mm.
(2)Exit stairs serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall have a width of not less than 860 mm.
(3)Except as provided in Article 9.8.4.7., required exit stairs and public stairs serving buildings of other than residential occupancy shall have a width of not less than the greater of
- (a) 900 mm, or
- (b) 8 mm per person based on the occupant load limits specified in Table 3.1.17.1.
(4)Except as provided in Article 9.8.4.7., at least one stair between each floor level within a dwelling unit, and exterior stairs serving a single dwelling unit except required exit stairs, shall have a width of not less than 860 mm.
(1)The clear height over stairs shall be measured vertically, over the clear width of the stair, from a straight line tangent to the tread and landing nosings to the lowest point above. (See Note A-3.4.3.4.)
(2)Except as provided in Sentences (3) and (4) and Article 9.8.4.7., the clear height over stairs shall not be less than 2 050 mm.
(3)Except as provided in Article 9.8.4.7., the clear height over stairs serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall not be less than 1 950 mm.
(4)The clear height over stairs that are located under beams and ducting in secondary suites shall not be less than 1 850 mm.
Stair Configurations
(1)Except as permitted in Sentence (2), stairs shall consist of
- (a) straight flights,
- (b) curved flights, or
- (c) spiral stairs.
(2)Stairs within dwelling units and houses with a secondary suite, including their common spaces, shall consist of
- (a) straight flights,
- (b) except as provided in Sentence (4), curved flights,
- (c) except as provided in Sentence 9.8.4.7.(2), spiral stairs,
- (d) flights with rectangular treads and winders, or
- (e) flights with a mix of rectangular and tapered treads.
(3)Curved flights in exits shall comply with Sentence 3.4.6.9.(2).
(4)Spiral stairs shall comply with Article 9.8.4.7.
(1)Except for stairs within a dwelling unit, at least three risers shall be provided in interior flights.
(1)The vertical height of any flight of stairs shall not exceed 3.7 m.
Step Dimensions
(1)Except as provided in Article 9.8.4.7., the rise, which is measured as the vertical nosing-to-nosing distance, shall conform to Table 9.8.4.1.
| Stair Type | Max. Rise, mm, for All Steps | Min. Rise, mm, for All Steps | Max. Run, mm, for Rectangular Treads | Min. Run, mm, for Rectangular Treads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private stairs | 200 | 125 | 355 | 235 |
| Public stairs | 180 | 125 | 355 | 280 |
| Service stairs | no limit | no limit | no limit | no limit |
| Stairs to unoccupied attic space | no limit | no limit | no limit | no limit |
| Stairs to crawl spaces | no limit | no limit | no limit | no limit |
| Stairs that serve mezzanines not exceeding 20 m2 within live/work units | no limit | no limit | no limit | no limit |
(1)The run for rectangular treads shall conform with Table 9.8.4.1.
(2)The depth of a rectangular tread shall be not less than its run and not more than its run plus 25 mm.
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2) and Articles 9.8.4.6. and 9.8.4.7., tapered treads shall have a run that
- (a) is not less than 150 mm at the narrow end of the tread, and
- (b) complies with the dimensions for rectangular treads stated in Table 9.8.4.1. when measured at a point 300 mm from the centre line of the handrail at the narrow end of the tread.
(2)Tapered treads in required exit stairs shall conform to the requirements in Article 3.4.6.9.
(3)The depth of a tapered tread shall be not less than its run at any point and not more than its run at any point plus 25 mm.
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), risers shall be of uniform height in any one flight with a maximum tolerance of
- (a) 5 mm between adjacent treads or landings, and
- (b) 10 mm between the tallest and shortest risers in a flight.
(2)Except for required exit stairs, where the top or bottom riser in a stair adjoins a sloping finished walking surface such as a garage floor, driveway or sidewalk, the height of the riser across the stair shall vary by not more than 1 in 12.
(3)Rectangular treads shall have a uniform run with a maximum tolerance of
- (a) 5 mm between adjacent treads, and
- (b) 10 mm between the deepest and shallowest treads in a flight.
(4)Tapered treads in a flight shall have a uniform run in accordance with the construction tolerances stipulated in Sentence (3) when measured at a point 300 mm from the centre line of the handrail as described in Sentence 9.8.7.1.(5).
(5)The slope of treads shall not exceed 1 in 50.
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2) and Article 9.8.4.6., where a flight of stairs consists of both tapered treads and rectangular treads, all the treads shall have a uniform run when measured at a point 300 mm from the centre line of the inside handrail.
(2)Where tapered treads are located at the bottom of a mixed-tread flight, the run of the tapered treads when measured at a point 300 mm from the centre line of the inside handrail is permitted to exceed the run of the rectangular treads.
(1)Stairs within dwelling units are permitted to contain winders that converge to a centre point provided
- (a) the winders turn through an angle of not more than 90°,
- (b) individual treads turn through an angle of not less than 30° or not more than 45°, and
- (c) adjacent winders turn through the same angle.
(2)Where more than one set of winders described in Sentence (1) is provided in a single stairway between adjacent floor levels, such winders shall be separated in plan by at least 1 200 mm.
(1)Spiral stairs shall have
- (a) handrails on both sides, the outer handrail being not less than 1 070 mm high,
- (b) a clear width not less than 660 mm between handrails,
- (c) risers that are not more than 240 mm high,
- (d) treads that (i) are a minimum of 190 mm deep at a point 300 mm from the centre line of the handrails at the narrower edge, (ii) have a consistent angle and uniform dimension, and (iii) turn in the same direction, and
- (e) not less than 1 980 mm clear height.
(2)Spiral stairs conforming to Sentence (1) are permitted to be used as the only means of egress where they serve not more than 3 persons.
(3)Except as permitted by Sentence (2), spiral stairs shall not serve as an exit.
(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (2), the top of the nosings of stair treads shall have a rounded or beveled edge extending not less than 6 mm and not more than 14 mm measured horizontally from the front of the nosing.
(2)If resilient material is used to cover the nosing of a stair tread, the minimum extension of the rounded or beveled edge required by Sentence (1) is permitted to be reduced to 3 mm.
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), stairs shall have no open risers.
(2)Open risers are permitted in
- (a) interior and exterior stairs that serve a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite,
- (b) fire escape stairs,
- (c) stairs that are principally used for maintenance,
- (d) stairs that serve service rooms, and
- (e) stairs that serve industrial occupancies other than storage garages.
(1)Interior stairways extending through the roof of a building shall be protected from ice and snow.
Ramps
(1)This Subsection applies to pedestrian ramps except ramps in a barrier-free path of travel.
(2)Ramps in a barrier-free path of travel shall conform to the requirements in Article 3.8.3.4.
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), ramps shall not be less than 1 100 mm wide.
(2)Ramps serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall be not less than 860 mm wide
(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (2), the clear height over ramps shall be not less than 2 050 mm.
(2)The clear height over ramps serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall be not less than 1 950 mm.
(1)The slope of ramps shall be not more than
- (a) 1 in 10 for exterior ramps,
- (b) 1 in 10 for interior ramps serving residential occupancies,
- (c) 1 in 6 for industrial occupancies, and
- (d) 1 in 8 for all other occupancies.
(1)Where the slope of the ramp is greater than 1 in 12, the maximum rise between floors or landings shall be 1 500 mm.
Landings
(1)This Subsection applies to landings, except landings for ramps in a barrier-free path of travel.
(2)Landings for ramps in a barrier-free path of travel shall conform to the requirements in Article 3.8.3.4.
(3)Finished floors, and ground surfaces with a slope not exceeding 1 in 50, at the top and bottom of stairs or ramps shall be considered as landings.
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (4) and Sentence 9.9.6.6.(2), a landing shall be provided
- (a) at the top and bottom of each flight of interior and exterior stairs, including stairs in garages,
- (b) at the top and bottom of every ramp with a slope greater than 1 in 50, and
- (c) where a doorway opens onto a stair or ramp.
(2)Where a door at the top of a stair within a dwelling unit swings away from the stair, no landing is required between the doorway and the stair. (See Note A-9.8.6.2.(2))
(3)A landing may be omitted at the top of an exterior flight serving a secondary entrance to a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite, provided
- (a) the stair does not contain more than three risers,
- (b) the principal door is a sliding door or swings away from the stair, and
- (c) only a storm or screen door, if any, swings over the stair and is equipped with hardware to hold it open.
(3.1)Sentence (3) does not apply to an exterior stair serving a secondary entrance to a house with a secondary suite that is also a main entrance to a dwelling unit in the house.
(4)A landing may be omitted at the bottom of an exterior stair or ramp provided there is no obstruction, such as a gate or door, within the lesser of the width of the stair or ramp or
- (a) 900 mm for stairs or ramps serving a single dwelling unit, and
- (b) 1 100 mm for stairs or ramps not serving a single dwelling unit.
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (7), landings shall be at least as wide and as long as the width of the stair or ramp in which they occur.
(2)Where the landing in a stairway or ramp does not turn or turns less than 90°, the length of the landing need not be more than the lesser of
- (a) the required width of the stair or ramp, or
- (b) 1 100 mm.
(3)The length of a landing shall be measured perpendicular to the nosings of adjacent steps or to the end of the ramp, at a distance equal to half the length required in Sentence (2) from the narrow edge of the landing.
(4)Where stair flights or ramps of different widths adjoin a single landing, the minimum width of the landing shall be
- (a) where one or more of the stair or ramp widths do not exceed their respective required widths, not less than the greater required stair or ramp width, or
- (b) where all of the widths of the stairs or ramps exceed their respective required widths, not less than the lesser actual stair or ramp width.
(5)Where a door swings toward a stair, the full arc of the swing shall be over the landing.
(6)The slope of landings shall not exceed 1 in 50.
(7)Where a doorway or stairway opens onto the side of a ramp, the landing shall extend for a distance of not less than 300 mm on either side of the doorway or stairway, except on a side abutting an end wall.
(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (2), the clear height over landings shall be not less than 2 050 mm.
(2)The clear height over landings serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall be not less than 1 950 mm.
Handrails
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (4), handrails shall be installed on stairs and ramps in conformance with Table 9.8.7.1.
(2)Where a stair or ramp is required to be at least 2 200 mm wide due to the occupant load, a handrail shall be installed such that no position on the stair or ramp is more than 825 mm from a handrail. (See Note A-9.8.7.1.(2))
(3)Handrails are not required for stairs and ramps serving a single dwelling unit, where
- (a) interior stairs have not more than 2 risers,
- (b) exterior stairs have not more than 3 risers, or
- (c) ramps rise not more than 400 mm.
(4)Only one handrail is required on exterior stairs having more than 3 risers provided such stairs serve not more than one dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite.
(5)Except for stairs with winders, where a flight of stairs within a dwelling unit consists of tapered treads, or a mix of tapered treads and rectangular treads, one handrail shall be installed along the narrow end of the treads.
| Location of Stair or Ramp | Handrails Serving Stairs (Stairs < 1 100 mm Wide) | Handrails Serving Stairs (Stairs ≥ 1 100 mm Wide - Straight) | Handrails Serving Stairs (Stairs ≥ 1 100 mm Wide - Curved) | Handrails Serving Ramps (Ramps < 1 100 mm Wide) | Handrails Serving Ramps (Ramps ≥ 1 100 mm Wide - All) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within a dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| All other locations | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (3), required handrails shall be continuously graspable throughout the length of
- (a) ramps, and
- (b) flights of stairs, from the bottom riser to the top riser.
(2)Except for stairs or ramps serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, at least one required handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of the stair or ramp, including at the landing except where interrupted by doorways. (See Note A-3.4.6.5.(11))
(3)For stairs or ramps serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, a handrail is permitted to start from a newel post or volute installed on the bottom tread.
(1)Handrails shall be terminated in a manner that will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard. (See Note A-9.8.7.3.(1))
(2)Except for stairs and ramps serving only one dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, at least one handrail at the sides of a stair or ramp shall extend horizontally not less than 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of each flight or ramp. (See Note A-9.8.7.3.(2))
(1)The height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be measured vertically from the top of the handrail to
- (a) a straight line drawn tangent to the tread nosings of the stair served by the handrail, or
- (b) the surface of the ramp, floor or landing served by the handrail.
(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), Clause 3.8.3.4.(1)(e) and Sentence 9.8.4.7.(1), required handrails shall be 865 mm to 1 070 mm high.
(3)Handrails installed in addition to required handrails need not comply with Sentence (2).
(1)The clearance between a handrail and any surface behind it shall be not less than
- (a) 60 mm, if the surface behind the handrail is rough or abrasive, or
- (b) 50 mm, in all other cases.
(2)All handrails shall be constructed so as to be continually graspable along their entire length with no obstruction on or above them to break a handhold. (See Note A-9.8.7.5.(2))
(1)Handrails and projections below handrails, including handrail supports and stair stringers, shall not project more than 100 mm into the required width of a stair or ramp. (See also Articles 9.8.2.1. and 9.8.5.2.)
(1)Handrails and their supports shall be designed and constructed to withstand the following loads, which need not be considered to act simultaneously:
- (a) a concentrated load of not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and
- (b) for handrails other than those serving a single dwelling unit, a uniform load of not less than 0.7 kN/m.
(2)Where exterior or interior handrails serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces are attached to wood studs or blocking, the attachment shall be deemed to comply with Sentence (1), where
- (a) the attachment points are spaced not more than 1.2 m apart measured on the horizontal plane,
- (b) the first attachment point at either end is located not more than 300 mm from the end of the handrail, and
- (c) the fasteners consist of no fewer than 2 No. 8 wood screws at each point, penetrating not less than 32 mm into solid wood.
Guards
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2) and except at the leading edge at the top of a flight, every surface to which access is provided, including but not limited to flights of steps and ramps, exterior landings, porches, balconies, mezzanines, galleries and raised walkways, shall be protected by a guard on each side that is not protected by a wall for the length where the difference in elevation is more than 600 mm between the walking surface and the adjacent surface within 1.2 m.
(2)Guards are not required
- (a) at loading docks,
- (b) at floor pits in repair garages, or
- (c) where access is provided for maintenance purposes only.
(3)Doors in buildings of residential occupancy, where the finished floor on one side of the door is more than 600 mm above the floor or other constructed surface or ground level on the other side of the door, shall be protected by
- (a) a guard, or
- (b) a mechanism capable of controlling the free swinging or sliding of the door so as to limit any clear unobstructed opening to not more than 100 mm.
(4)Except as provided in Sentence (5), openable windows in buildings of residential occupancy shall be protected by
- (a) a guard, or
- (b) a mechanism that can only be released with the use of tools or special knowledge to control the free swinging or sliding operation of the openable part of the window so as to limit any clear unobstructed opening to not more than 100 mm measured either vertically or horizontally.
(5)Windows need not be protected in accordance with Sentence (4), where the bottom edge of the openable portion of the window is located
- (a) more than 900 mm above the finished floor, or
- (b) less than 1 800 mm above the floor or ground on the other side of the window.
(6)Except as provided in Sentence (7), glazing installed over stairs, ramps and landings that extends to less than 1 070 mm above the surface of the treads, ramp or landing shall be
- (a) protected by guards in accordance with this Subsection, or
- (b) non-openable and designed to withstand the specified lateral loads for guards as provided in Article 4.1.5.14.
(7)In dwelling units, glazing installed over stairs, ramps and landings that extends to less than 900 mm above the surface of the treads, ramp or landing shall be
- (a) protected by guards in accordance with this Subsection, or
- (b) non-openable and designed to withstand the specified lateral loads for guards as provided in Article 4.1.5.14.
(8)Glazing installed in public areas that extends to less than 1 m from the floor and is located above the second storey in buildings of residential occupancy shall be
- (a) protected by guards in accordance with this Subsection, or
- (b) non-openable and designed to withstand the specified lateral loads for guards as provided in Article 4.1.5.14.
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2), (3), (5) and (6), guards shall be designed to resist the specified loads prescribed in Table 9.8.8.2.
(2)The size of the opening between any two adjacent vertical elements within a guard shall not exceed the limits required by Sentence 9.8.8.5.(1) when each of these elements is subjected to a specified live load of 0.1 kN applied in opposite directions in the in-plane direction of the guard so as to produce the most critical effect.
(3)For guards within dwelling units and within houses with a secondary suite including their common spaces and for exterior guards serving not more than two dwelling units, where the width and spacing of balusters are such that three balusters can be engaged by a load imposed over a 300 mm width, the load shall be imposed so as to engage three balusters.
(4)None of the specified loads specified in Table 9.8.8.2. need be considered to act simultaneously.
(5)For guards within dwelling units and within houses with a secondary suite including their common spaces and for exterior guards serving not more than two dwelling units, Table 9.8.8.2. need not apply where the guard construction used has been demonstrated to provide effective performance.
(6)Guards constructed in accordance with the requirements in MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-7, "Guards for Housing and Small Buildings" shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Sentence (1).
| Location of Guard | Minimum Specified Loads - Horizontal Load Applied Inward or Outward at any Point at the Minimum Required Height of the Guard | Minimum Specified Loads - Horizontal Load Applied Outward on Elements Within the Guard, Including Solid Panels and Balusters | Minimum Specified Loads - Evenly Distributed Vertical Load Applied at the Top of the Guard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guards within dwelling units and exterior guards serving not more than 2 dwelling units | 0.5 kN/m or concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point | 0.5 kN applied over a maximum width of 300 mm and a height of 300 mm | 1.5 kN/m |
| Guards serving access ways to equipment platforms and similar areas where the gathering of many people is improbable | Concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point | Concentrated load of 0.5 kN applied over an area of 100 mm by 100 mm located at any point on the element or elements so as to produce the most critical effect | 1.5 kN/m |
| All other guards | 0.75 kN/m or concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point | Concentrated load of 0.5 kN applied over an area of 100 mm by 100 mm located at any point on the element or elements so as to produce the most critical effect | 1.5 kN/m |
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (3.1), all guards shall be not less than 1 070 mm high.
(2)All guards within dwelling units or within houses with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall be not less than 900 mm high.
(3)Exterior guards serving not more than one dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall be not less than 900 mm high where the walking surface served by the guard is not more than 1 800 mm above the finished ground level.
(3.1)The height of guards for exterior stairs and landings more than 10 m above adjacent ground level shall be not less than 1 500 mm.
(4)The height of guards for flights of steps shall be measured vertically from the top of the guard to a line drawn through the tread nosing served by the guard.
(1)Except for floors of garages referred to in Section 9.35., where garage floors or ramps are 600 mm or more above the adjacent ground or floor level, every opening through a garage floor and the perimeter of floors and ramps that have no exterior walls shall be provided with
- (a) a continuous curb not less than 140 mm in height, and
- (b) a guard not less than 1 070 mm above the floor level.
(2)Vehicle guardrails shall be designed and constructed to withstand the loading values stipulated in Sentence 4.1.5.15.(1). (See Note A-4.1.5.14. and 4.1.5.15.(1))
(1)Except as permitted in Sentences (3) and (4), openings through guards shall be of a size that prevents the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 100 mm. (See Note A-9.8.8.5.(1) and (3))
(2)Except for guards that serve industrial occupancies, the triangular openings formed by stair risers, stair treads and the bottom element of a required guard shall be of a size that prevents the passage of a 150 mm diam sphere.
(3)Except where they serve storage garages, guards in industrial occupancies are permitted to consist of
- (a) a top railing, and
- (b) one or more horizontal intermediate rails spaced such that the size of the openings through the guard prevents the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 535 mm.
(4)Openings through any guard that is not required by Article 9.8.8.1. and that serves an occupancy other than industrial occupancy, shall be of a size that
- (a) prevents the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 100 mm, or
- (b) permits the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 200 mm.
(1)Guards required by Article 9.8.8.1., except those in industrial occupancies and where it can be shown that the location and size of openings do not represent a hazard, shall be designed so that no member, attachment or opening located between 140 mm and 900 mm above the floor or walking surface protected by the guard will facilitate climbing.
(1)Glass in guards shall be
- (a) safety glass of the laminated or tempered type conforming to CAN/CGSB-12.1, "Safety Glazing," or
- (b) wired glass conforming to CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, "Wired Safety Glass."
Construction
(1)Except as specified in Articles 9.8.9.4. and 9.8.9.5., stairs and ramps shall be designed for strength and rigidity under uniform loading criteria to support specified loads of
- (a) 1.9 kPa for stairs and ramps serving not more than one dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, and
- (b) 4.8 kPa for other stairs and ramps.
(1)Exterior concrete stairs with more than 2 risers and 2 treads shall be
- (a) supported on unit masonry or concrete walls or piers not less than 150 mm in cross-section, or
- (b) cantilevered from the main foundation wall.
(2)Stairs described in Sentence (1), when cantilevered from the foundation wall, shall be constructed and installed in conformance with Subsection 9.8.10.
(3)The depth below ground level for foundations for exterior steps shall conform to the requirements in Section 9.12.
(1)Exterior wood steps shall not be in direct contact with the ground unless suitably treated with a wood preservative.
(1)Wooden stair stringers shall
- (a) have a minimum effective depth of 90 mm, measured perpendicularly to the bottom of the stringer at the point of minimum cross-section, and an overall depth of not less than 235 mm,
- (b) be supported and secured top and bottom,
- (c) be not less than 25 mm actual thickness if supported along their length and 38 mm actual thickness if unsupported along their length, and
- (d) except as permitted in Sentence (2), be spaced not more than 900 mm o.c. in stairs serving not more than one dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, and 600 mm o.c. in other stairs.
(2)For stairs serving not more than one dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, where risers support the front portion of the tread, the space between stringers shall be not more than 1 200 mm.
(1)Stair treads of lumber, plywood or O-2 grade OSB within dwelling units shall be not less than 25 mm actual thickness, except that, if open risers are used and the distance between stringers exceeds 750 mm, the treads shall be not less than 38 mm actual thickness.
(2)Stair treads of plywood or OSB, that are not continuously supported by the riser shall have their face grain or direction of face orientation at right angles to the stringers.
(0.1)Except as required by Sentence (2), the finish for treads, landings and ramps shall be
- (a) wear-resistant,
- (b) slip-resistant, and
- (c) smooth, even and free from open defects.
(1)The finish for treads and landings of interior stairs in dwelling units, other than stairs to unfinished basements, shall consist of hardwood, vertical grain softwood, resilient flooring or other material providing equivalent performance.
(2)Treads and landings of interior and exterior stairs and ramps, other than those within dwelling units or within houses with a secondary suite including their common spaces, shall have a slip-resistant finish or be provided with slip-resistant strips that extend not more than 1 mm above the surface.
(3)Stairs and ramps, except those serving a house with a secondary suite, an individual dwelling unit, service rooms or service spaces, shall have a colour contrast or a distinctive visual pattern to demarcate
- (a) the leading edge of the treads,
- (b) the leading edge of the landing, and
- (c) the beginning and end of a ramp.
(4)Except for stairs serving a house with a secondary suite, an individual dwelling unit, service rooms or service spaces, a tactile attention indicator conforming to Article 3.8.3.18. shall be installed
- (a) at the top of the stairs, starting one tread depth back from the edge of the top stair, and
- (b) at the leading edge of landings where a doorway opens onto stairs, starting one tread depth back from the edge of the landing.
Cantilevered Precast Concrete Steps
(1)Exterior concrete steps and their anchorage system that are cantilevered from a foundation wall shall be designed and installed to support the loads to which they may be subjected.
(1)Cantilevered concrete steps referred to in Article 9.8.10.1. shall be anchored to concrete foundation walls not less than 200 mm thick.
(1)Suitable precautions shall be taken during backfilling and grading operations to ensure that subsequent freezing of the soil will not cause uplift forces on the underside of cantilevered concrete steps to the extent that the steps or the walls to which they are attached will be damaged.