What are the requirements of a stairway?
Stairway requirements are as follows: • The tread width (called the stair run) on a stair can in no case be less than nine inches and the difference between any tread width must not be more than 3/8 of an inch from the widest to the narrowest tread (Example: If the first tread is nine inches wide and the next tread is 9-3/8-inches wide, this is okay. If the third tread is 9-1/2 inches, this is NOT okay). The height of each step (called the stair rise) can in no case be more than 8 inches and the difference between any stair riser must not be more than 3/8 of an inch between the shortest and highest riser (Example: If the first riser is eight inches, and the next riser is 7-5/8 inches, this is okay. If the third riser is 7-3/8 inches, this is NOT okay.) • Handrails are required on any stair that has three or more risers. The handrail must be placed at a height of 30 to 38 inches measured vertically from the nosing of the treads. The handrails must extend the full length of the stairs, a
