See Minimum Requirements Summary Sheets I and J for special requirements and exceptions which may be allowed in alterations and historic preservation. See also ADAAG 4.1.6 and 4.1.7.
| Section | Item | Technical Requirements | Comments | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1.3(4) 4.9.1 |
Stairs: | Do interior and exterior stairs connecting levels that are not connected by an elevator, ramp, or other accessible means of vertical access comply with 4.9 (See below)? (In new construction, this condition may occur in facilities subject to the elevator exemption (see 4.1.3(5) Exception 1) or where mezzanines are exempt in restaurants (See 5.4).) | |||
| 4.9.2 | Risers/Treads: | In any one flight of stairs, do all the steps have uniform riser heights and tread widths? | |||
| Are the risers closed? | |||||
| Are the treads at least 11 inches measured from riser to riser? | |||||
| 4.9.3 | Nosings: | Do the nosings project no more than 1-1/2 inches? | |||
| If nosings do project, do the risers slope toward the nosings or are nosings angled not less than 60 degrees from horizontal to prevent tripping in an ascending direction? | |||||
| Is the radius of the curvature at the leading edge of the tread no more than 1/2 inch? | |||||
| 4.9.4 4.26 |
Handrails: | Do stairways have continuous handrails along both sides? | |||
| 4.9.4(1) | On dogleg or switchback stairs, is the inside handrail continuous at landings? | ||||
| 4.9.4(2) | At ends of handrails, is there at least 12 inches of handrail parallel to the floor beyond the top riser? | ||||
| 4.9.4(2) | At ends of handrails, is there at least one tread width of sloping handrail plus at least 12 inches of horizontal handrail beyond the bottom riser? | ||||
| 4.9.4(2) | If the handrail extension protrudes into an accessible route, is the handrail extension rounded to be 27 inches or less from the floor in compliance with 4.4? | ||||
| 4.9.4(3) | Is the clearance between walls and handrails exactly 1-1/2 inches? | ||||
| 4.9.4(4) | Is the gripping surface uninterrupted by newel posts or other obstructions? | ||||
| 4.9.4(5) | Are the tops of handrails between 34 and 38 inches above the stair nosings? | ||||
| 4.9.4(6) | Are the ends of handrails rounded or returned smoothly to the floor, wall or post? | ||||
| 4.9.4(7) | Are handrails fixed so that they do not rotate within their fittings? | ||||
| 4.9.4 4.26.2 |
Is the outside diameter of the handrail between 1-1/4
inches and 1-1/2 inches? OR Does the shape provide an equivalent gripping surface? Note: Standard pipe sizes designated by the industry 1-1/4 to as 1-1/2 inches are acceptable for purposes of this section. |
||||
| 4.9.4 4.26.2 |
Clearance in Recess: | If a handrail is located in a recess, is the recess no more than 3 inches deep extending at least 18 inches above the top of the rail? | |||
| 4.9.4; 4.26.3 | Structural Strength: | Do the handrails meet the structural strength requirements for bending stress and shear stress? (See 4.26.3) | |||
| 4.9.4 4.26.3 |
Do the fasteners meet the structural strength requirements for shear force and tensile force? (See 4.26.3) | ||||
| 4.9.4 4.26.4 |
Hazards: | Are handrail edges free of sharp or abrasive elements and do they have edges with a minimum radius of 1/8 inch? | |||
| 4.9.6 | Drainage: | Are outdoor stairs and their approaches designed so that water does not accumulate on walking surfaces? |
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