Stairs, Guards, and Handrails
Changes and updates in this section come into effect on January 1, 2022, except for changes made to Article 4.1.5.16., which came into effect on January 1, 2020..
Definitions, Division A, Article 1.4.1.2.
New
Three new defined terms relating to stairs and ramps have been added to provide clarity. These new terms are “flight”, “tapered tread”, and “run”, and can be found in Part 1 in Division A.
Article 3.3.1.15. - Tapered Treads in a Curved Flight
New
This Article was revised to introduce consistent terminology and states the appropriate way of constructing tapered treads in curved flights of stairs.
Article 3.3.2.8A. - Handrails in Aisles with Steps
New
A new Article has been added for the installation of handrails in aisles with steps in assembly occupancies.
Article 3.3.5.4. - Repair and Storage Garages
New
This Article was amended to clarify requirements for vehicle guardrails in storage garages.
Article 3.3.5.9. - Guards
New
This new Article has been added to address the size of openings through guards in industrial occupancies.
Article 3.4.6.4. - Dimensions of Landings
New
A new requirement has been added to harmonize the dimensions of landings with similar requirements in Part 9.
Article 3.4.6.5. - Handrails
New
Changes have been made to handrail requirements to clarify where handrails are required and where they need to be continuous.
There are additional changes to address the clearance and height of handrails.
The loading requirements for handrails have been moved from Part 3 to Part 4.
Article 3.4.6.6. – Guards
New
A new requirement has been added to harmonize the height of guards serving exit stairs with similar requirements in Part 9.
Article 3.4.6.8. - Treads and Risers
New
This Article was amended to increase the minimum run for stairs from 255 mm to 280 mm.
The amendment also reduces the maximum rise for stairs from 200 mm to 180 mm.
A new provision has been added to the tread and riser requirements to restrict open stair risers.
Article 3.4.6.9. - Curved Flights in Exits
New
This Article was revised to clarify the permitted stair configurations for Part 3 building exit stairs.
Article 4.1.5.14. - Loads on Guards and Handrails
New
Changes have been made to the load requirements on guards and handrails.
Load requirements for handrails have been moved from Part 3 to Part 4.
Article 4.1.5.15. - Loads on Vehicular Guardrails
Clarification
The requirements for vehicle guardrail design have clarified that guard loads for vehicles and persons do not need to be considered at the same time.
Article 4.1.5.16. - Loads on Walls Acting as Guards
Clarification
Load requirements for walls acting as guards have been modified to clarify that lateral loads act in the outward direction.
Article 9.8.3.1. - Straight and Curved Runs
New
This Article has been amended to introduce new stair configurations.
Article 9.8.4.2. - Dimensions for Runs and Rectangular Treads
New
This Article has been amended to increase the minimum stair run for stairs inside dwelling units.
Article 9.8.4.3. - Dimensions for Tapered Treads
New
This Article has been amended to clarify the dimensions and method of measurement for tapered treads.
Article 9.8.4.4A. - Uniformity of Runs in Flights with Mixed Treads within a House or Dwelling Unit
New
A new Article has been added to clarify the requirements for a uniform run where flights include both tapered and rectangular treads.
Article 9.8.4.5A. - Spiral Stairs
New
A new Article has been added to allow the use of spiral stairs in dwelling units in Part 9 buildings under certain conditions.
Article 9.8.5.2. - Ramp Width
Clarification
This Article has been amended to eliminate the references to “exit ramps and public ramps”.
Article 9.8.6.3. - Dimensions of Landings
New
This Article has been amended to modify the required length of stair landings.
Article 9.8.7.1. - Required Handrails
New
A new Sentence has been added to require that handrails be installed on the narrow end of the treads in a house or an individual dwelling unit where the flights of stairs consist of tapered treads or a mix of tapered treads and rectangular treads.
Article 9.8.7.2. - Continuity of Handrails
New
This Article has been amended to clarify continuous handrail requirements.
Article 9.8.7.4. - Height of Handrails
New
This Article has been amended to increase the maximum handrail height from 965 mm to 1070 mm.
Article 9.8.7.5. - Ergonomic Design
New
This Article has been amended to add a clearance distance between the handrail and a rough or abrasive surface of 60 mm.
Article 9.8.8.1. - Required Guards
New
This Article has been amended to remove the specific guard requirements for certain small interior stairs and ramps.
Article 9.8.8.2. - Load on Guards
New
Table 9.8.8.2. was changed to provide consistency for the minimum surface area on which the concentrated load on guard elements serving public stairs would apply, and resolves the difference between Part 4 and Part 9.
Article 9.8.8.3. - Height of Guards
New
This Article was amended to exclude spiral stairs from the guard height requirements.
Additionally, the specific requirements for guard heights for exit stairs and landings have been removed.
Article 9.8.8.4. - Guards for Floors and Ramps in Garages
New
This Article was amended to reduce the minimum curb height from 150 mm to 140 mm.
Article 9.8.8.5. - Openings in Guards
New
This Article was amended to relax the opening requirements for guards located in industrial occupancies other than storage garages.
This Article was also amended to clarify requirements for the size of openings.