Landings and Illumination and Attachments

Question 1

Inspecting the Landings
🔹 Requirement: A floor or landing is required at the top and bottom of a stairway.
🔹 Exception: A landing is not required at the top of an interior flight of stairs (including enclosed garages) if a door does not swing out over the stairs.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: When is a landing required at stairways?

Answer 1

A: At the top and bottom of a stairway, unless it’s an interior stair without an outward-swinging door.

Question 2

Inspecting the Total Rise of a Stairway
🔹 Maximum Allowable Rise: 12 feet between landings.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What is the maximum total rise allowed for a stairway before requiring a landing?

Answer 2

A: 12 feet.

Question 3

Inspecting the Width of the Landing
🔹 Minimum Width: 36 inches in the direction of travel.
🔹 Width Rule: The landing must not be narrower than the stairway width.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What is the minimum required width for a landing?

Answer 3

A: 36 inches in the direction of travel, and at least as wide as the stairway.

Question 4

General Illumination Requirements
🔹 All stairways (interior & exterior) must have lighting to illuminate treads and landings.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: Are stairways required to have lighting?

Answer 4

A: Yes, all interior and exterior stairways must be illuminated, including landings and tread

Question 5

Interior Stairway Lighting
🔹 Lighting Location: A light must be at each landing, unless a light is installed directly over each stairway section.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: Where should lighting be placed for interior stairways?

Answer 5

A: At each landing, unless a light is directly above the stairway.

Question 6

Exterior Stairway Lighting
🔹 Light Placement:

Top of exterior stairs requires a light.
Basement exterior stairs should have a light at the bottom of the stairway.
💡 Flashcard:
Q: Where should lights be placed for exterior stairways?

Answer 6

A: At the top of the stairway, and at the bottom if leading to a basement.

Question 7

Light Controls
🔹 Exterior Stairs: Lights must be controlled from inside the property.
🔹 Interior Stairs (6+ Risers): Wall switches required at each floor level, unless the lights are always on or automatically controlled.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: How should lights for exterior stairs be controlled?
A: From inside the property.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What is the lighting control rule for interior stairways with 6 or risers?

Answer 7

A: They must have wall switches at each floor level, unless the lights are always on or auto-controlled.

Question 8

General Attachment Requirements
🔹 Stairways, decks, balconies, and similar egress structures must be securely anchored to the primary structure to resist vertical and lateral forces.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: What must stairways, decks, and balconies be anchored to?

Answer 8

A: The primary structure, to resist vertical and lateral forces.

Question 9

Prohibited Fasteners
🔹 Toenails or nails subject to withdrawal CANNOT be used as the primary means of attachment.

💡 Flashcard:
Q: Can toenails or nails subject to withdrawal be used for stairway attachment?

Answer 9

A: No, they are not permitted as a primary attachment method.