1917.120(a) Definition. "Fixed stairway" means interior and exterior stairs serving machinery, tanks and equipment,
and stairs to or from floors, platforms or pits. The term does not apply to stairs intended only for fire exit purposes, to articulated stairs (the
angle of which changes with the rise and fall of the base support) or to stairs forming an integral part of machinery.
1917.120(b) New installations.
1917.120(b)(1) Fixed stairs installed after October 3,
1983 shall be positioned within the range of 30 degrees to 50 degrees
to the horizontal with uniform riser height and tread width throughout
each run and be capable of a minimum loading of 100 pounds per square
foot (445 N) and a minimum concentrated load of 300 pounds (1,334 N) at
the center of any treadspan. Riser height shall be from 6 to 7.5 inches
(15.24 to 19.05 cm), stair width a minimum of 22 inches (55.88 cm)
between vertical barriers, tread depth a minimum of 12±2
inches (30.48±5.08 cm), and tread nosing shall be straight
leading edges.
..1917.120(b)(2)
1917.120(b)(2) Stair landings shall be at least 20 inches (50.8 cm) in depth.
Where doors or gates open on a stairway, a landing platform shall be
provided. Door swing shall not reduce effective standing area on the
landing to less than 18 inches (45.72 cm) in depth.
1917.120(b)(3) Fixed stairs having four or more risers shall have stair railings or handrails complying with
1917.112(c)(1).
1917.120(b)(4) Railing height from tread surface at the riser face shall be
33±3 inches (83.82 cm ±7.62 cm).
1917.120(b)(5) Restricted areas. When physical features require stairs steeper than those provided for by paragraph
(b)(1) of this section, stairs at angles of 50 degree to 75 degrees from the horizontal may be used if they:
1917.120(b)(5)(i) Are capable of a single concentrated load of 200 pounds (890 N) at the tread centers;
1917.120(b)(5)(ii) Have open treads at least 4 inches (10.16 cm) in depth and 18
inches (45.72 cm) in width with a uniformly spaced vertical rise between treads of 6 to 9.5 inches (15.24 to 24.13 cm); and
1917.120(b)(5)(iii) Have handrails that meet the requirements of 1917.112(c)(1) on both sides and that are not less
than 30 inches (76.2 cm) in height from the tread surface at the riser face.
1917.120(b)(6) Maintenance. Fixed stairways shall be maintained in safe condition and shall not be
obstructed.
[65 FR 40942, June 30, 2000] |