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Hardwood Stairs-
Residential Building Codes
(NOTE: Hardwood Stairs: Residential
Building Codes are NOT the same city to city and country
to country - CHECK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES!)
Residential building codes in Canada are a
municipal responsibility. Although most cities follow a
provincial guideline municipalities can and do attach their
own amendments... thus your safest bet is to ask for very
specific advice and approval from your local office.
Why would you care? In a new home you may
be refused an occupancy permitt or have an insurance company
refuse to underwrite a policy where current building codes
are not met... and more importantly it rarely costs more
to build to code so why not make it safe for all involved.
.. Check locally for your Hardwood
Stairs: Residential Building Codes -Do It Now!! MAKE
IT SAFE!
The following is only meant to give you an
idea about what kinds of issue may exist and the types of
answers you can expect.
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| Hardwood Stair Tread: The Rise |
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This is the distance from the top of one step to the top
of the one above.
Typical maximum rise for hardwood stairs is between 7 1/2"
& 8", some provinces may even legislate a minimum
of 6"
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| Hardwood Stair: Run |
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Typically the minimum run allowed is 9" but the code
is moving in the direction of changing this to 10", NOT
counting the overhang from above!
Some jurisdictions also specify a maximum.
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| Hardwood Nosing Extension: |
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Minimum:
- can be set as nothing less than 3/4"
Maximum:
- typically between 1 1/4" & 1 1/2"
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| Stairway Treads: Width &
Height |
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Minimum Width:
Typically around 36" so make sure to check.
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Head Room Requirements:
Minimum height usually set at between 6'6" & 6'8"
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| Open Risers: |
| Some Inspectors allow open risers and some do not... I've
not found any consistency.... Usually can get away with this
is, if opening is reduced down to <4" |
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| Winders Stairs & Circular Stairs |
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This always requires specific approval for each installation
so check with your local office.
In many districts, circular stairs are no longer approved,
based on treads that are very narrow and unsafe on the inside
radius.... so before you buy ask questions!
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| General Comments: |
| Where you know your home is going to require a
final inspection from the Building Controls Department, a wise
step, would be to get all your products and installation methods
preapproved by this department. Due to a recent lawsuit involving
the office of the Ontario Building Code, inspectors today, are
particularly cautious when it comes to stairs & railings.
It costs less if you only have to do it once!
We ALWAYS recommend that you build to current code. MAKE
it STRONG! MAKE it SAFE!
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| In Ontario: Hardwood Stair- Residential Building
Code is found on Table 3.1.2 Supplementary Guidelines to the
Ontario Building Code 1997 SG-7.... published June 24, 1999
(update) |
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