NOSING OR LEADING EDGE and GUARDS

Question 1

Inspecting the Nose or Leading Edge
Nosing should be at least 3/4-inch and not more than 1-1/4 inches.
The radius of a nosing curve should be no greater than 9/16-inch.
Nosing is not required when the tread depth is 11 inches or more.
Q: What are the nosing requirements for stairs with solid risers in the US?

Answer 1

A: Nosing should be at least 3/4-inch and not more than 1-1/4 inches.
The radius of a nosing curve should be no greater than 9/16-inch.
Nosing is not required when the tread depth is 11 inches or more.

Question 2

Inspecting Guards
Q: What is the purpose of guards?

Answer 2

A: Guards are designed to prevent adults from falling over them and children from crawling through them.

Question 3

Inspecting Guards
Q: How is the height of a guard measured?

Answer 3

A: It is measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing or leading edge.

Question 4

Checking Guard Strength
Q: What are the guard strength requirements in the US?

Answer 4

A:
- The guard must resist a 200-pound concentrated load applied at any point in any direction along the handrail or the top of the guard.
- Intermediate rails or balusters should withstand a horizontal load of 50 pounds on a 1 square foot area.

Question 5

Measuring Elevated Floor Levels for Guard Requirements
Q: When is a guard required for an elevated floor level in the US?

Answer 5

A: If the surface is more than 30 inches above the floor or ground.

Question 6

Measuring Guard Height
Q: What is the minimum height requirement for guards in the US?

Answer 6

A:
- Horizontal guards: At least 36 inches high.
- Open sides of stairways: If the total rise is more than 30 inches, guards should be at least 34 inches high.

Question 7

Checking for Damage
Q: What damages should be inspected on guards?

Answer 7

A: Inspect for cracked, loose, or missing intermediate rails.

Question 8

Checking for Ladder Effect
Q: What is the “ladder effect” and why should it be avoided?

Answer 8

A: Guards should not have horizontal or ornamental patterns, members, attachments, or openings that facilitate climbing, as this poses a safety hazard.

Question 9

Inspecting Glass in Guards
Q: What are the glass requirements for guards in the US?

Answer 9

A:
- Glass used in handrails or guard sections should be fully tempered glass, laminated fully tempered glass, or laminated heat-strengthened glass.
- The minimum nominal thickness is 1/4-inch.
- Each pane of safety glazing should be identified with a manufacturer’s designation, which should be acid-etched, sandblasted, ceramic-fired, laser-etched, embossed, or permanently applied.