Permanent Attic Stairs Code Requirements

2009 ibc commercial construction.

Permanent attic stairs code requirements.

Minimum 6 8 headroom height clearance for stairway. The 2009 edition of the international building code ibc and the 2006 edition of the international residential code irc offer guidelines regarding attic access although not specifically pull down ladders. Don t know of any codes that would apply in. This article series explains how to inspect the condition and safety of attic stairs folding or pull down attic stairs and ladders and attic stairway railings landings treads and related conditions for safety and proper construction.

25 x 54 most common small width pull down attic stair. Buildings with combustible ceiling or roof construction shall have an attic access opening to attic areas that exceed 30 square feet 2 8 m2 and have a vertical height of 30 inches 762 mm or greater. If a permanent stairway leads only to an attic is it acceptable for a receptacle to be installed at the bottom of the stairs for use as a vacuum cleaner receptacle. 30 x 54 for the.

The international residential code irc is similar. Still the information might be of some interest to inspectors. 25 1 2 x 64 often used for a longer pull down ladder attic access from a higher than standard ceiling. Standard rough openings for typical attic pull down stairs.

Attic stair pull down or folding stairway construction installation inspection hazards repair questions answers. Most homes have a 1 2 drywall panel installed in the attic access opening which is fine. Maximum 7 3 4 inch stair riser height. If the only access is by a pull down stairs or by ladder through a scuttle then it is absolutely not a finished living space.

Attic stairs are generally steeper than other stairs in the home and your local building codes may make exceptions or they may not if this is the case it may give the customer a chance to get the stairs in where he wants them. The attic has a ceiling height less than 6 at the peak of the roof. But when you put something else in the opening it must be equivalent to 1 2 drywall which has roughly a 20 minute fire resistance. The vertical height shall be measured from the top of the ceiling framing members to the underside of the roof framing members.

Here s the full text of the code. Maximum 12 3 vertical height rise for a flight of stairs. 22 1 2 x 54 for the smallest pull down stairway. Provide a minimum of 6 8 of headroom the entire walking length of the stairs.