Building codes for deck steps

[The Bad Guy]

I'm in the process of finishing building my deck. I had a few friends help me along the way but one thing that seems to get a lot of different answers is the code for the maximum of the rise of the steps. I was looking online at building codes and found that some say the max rise for each step is just over 7 inches.

Does anyone know what the standard deck steps code is for the rise and the run? I just want to make sure this thing passes inspection after I've slaved over it for the last 2 weeks.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Shaid]

I just built mine and I don't remember the exact minimum and maximum but 7" is pretty standard, it's what I used.

[epitome1170]

I would assume that this is a means of egress so things to keep in mind (according to the 2006 International Residential Building Code, which is most likely the one adopted by your municipality).

Minimum Clear Width of 36" above the handrail

Minimum Clear Width of 31.5" below the handrail with handrail on one side

Minimum Clear Width of 27" below the handrail with handrail on two sides

Maximum Riser height is 7 3/4", additionally, there shall not be more than 3/8" difference between the largest riser height and the smallest one.

Minimum tread depth is 10" (measured from the furthest vertical plane of the projection of the tread, which is not necessarily the back of the riser)


That is just a few of the big ones. There are quite a few others standards as well though.

[warrior]

Originally Posted by epitome1170

I would assume that this is a means of egress so things to keep in mind (according to the 2006 International Residential Building Code, which is most likely the one adopted by your municipality).

Minimum Clear Width of 36" above the handrail

Minimum Clear Width of 31.5" below the handrail with handrail on one side

Minimum Clear Width of 27" below the handrail with handrail on two sides

Maximum Riser height is 7 3/4", additionally, there shall not be more than 3/8" difference between the largest riser height and the smallest one.

Minimum tread depth is 10" (measured from the furthest vertical plane of the projection of the tread, which is not necessarily the back of the riser)


That is just a few of the big ones. There are quite a few others standards as well though.

This is code from 2006 and 2009 IRC

[epitome1170]

Originally Posted by warrior

This is code from 2006 and 2009 IRC

Probably 2012 as well, but I didn't really feel like digging thru it to check. I hate the IRC and it is junk so I spend as little time in it as possible.

[warrior]

Originally Posted by epitome1170

Probably 2012 as well, but I didn't really feel like digging thru it to check. I hate the IRC and it is junk so I spend as little time in it as possible.

Ageed but I have to use it for a living as well as several other code books.

[epitome1170]

Originally Posted by warrior

Ageed but I have to use it for a living as well as several other code books.

What do you do?

Thank God I stay in the commercial arena 99% of the time, so I get to use the IBC.

7 3/4" is max.

[Old Dog]

You should get with pr_capone....if anyone could help with building something to code it might be him

[CaliforniaChief]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

You should get with pr_capone....if anyone could help with building something to code it might be him

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

You should get with pr_capone....if anyone could help with building something to code it might be him

great thread.

[The Bad Guy]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Going with 7 3/4ths for the risers and 10 inches for the treads.

[Hoover]

I'd say screw it and just build a ramp.

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Does anyone know what the standard deck steps code is?

[warrior]

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

In the past I've built probably close to a thosand decks or so, stay as close to 7-11 is usually the builders rule you will be safe at those measurements.