Erby Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 So, I've got a back door to a new construction house with just steps on the outside of the door. The local AHJ has already blessed it. There are only two exterior doors: the front door and this door in the pictures. Click to Enlarge 51.18 KB Click to Enlarge 49.7 KB Click to Enlarge 34.7 KB Click to Enlarge 57.61 KB There is no landing. The distance from the door opening to the first step is 5 7/8". The steps are both 7 1/4". Does it need a landing? I think so but the local code guys obviously disagree having already approved it. R311.3.1 says it does as it is a "required egress door". Your thoughts on the landing issue and the height differential? Click to Enlarge 67.08 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 Regardless of code, what problems are posed by no landing? And, I always measure to top of threshold for step height. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 I'd point it out, describe the trip and fall hazard, cite the code, deliver the report, and go find a refreshing beverage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 I'd point it out, describe the trip and fall hazard, cite the code, deliver the report, and go find a refreshing beverage. I'm having trouble seeing a trip/fall hazard. By the by, that set up is a very common thing around here (right or wrong). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 Uneven risers, no handrail, no landing. That brick riser is a....riser. What's to wonder? No one's going to change it, I wouldn't beat it to death, and I'd put it in the report because we're supposed to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 Uneven risers, no handrail, no landing. That brick riser is a....riser. What's to wonder? No one's going to change it, I wouldn't beat it to death, and I'd put it in the report because we're supposed to. Since I ain't busy, I'm gonna beat it a bit more. How does the lack of a landing in this example pose a trip/stumble/fall hazard? One would step down onto the first step, just as one would do when descending a basement stairway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 Less than 4 risers? I don't call lack of handrail. Door swings in? I don't call lack of landing. If the door or storm door swings out and there's not a landing at least 36" in depth, I call it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 Someone told me I was supposed to report on safety concerns. If someone else says it's not a safety concern, i'm fine with that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 At least there's no mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted November 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 Well, actually: Click to Enlarge 45.34 KB Just enough for my CYA statement that there is some. But the sweet tea and ribs took it all away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inspector57 Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 Newer code Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Hockstein Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 How about the fact that it is butt ugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 Yes, that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 If the page you pasted is from your code it is clearly a violation as well as butt ugly. Our state amends every code it adopts, and it grants lots of exceptions like those posted. The two riser thing is usually about garage/house entries. I think this "flight" is dangerous. Wonder if you noted what looks like a complete lack of slope on those brick sill rowlocks under the windows. In my county the building crash caused, in time, a cleanout of the local AHJ inspection staff that left one guy, the most senior, who has trouble reading a newspaper. I don't think he knows how to look anything up in a code book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 A side thought outside the butt ugly one.... Does anyone note the lack of drainage plane outlet when concrete stoops are slammed up against a brick veneer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 Why would we mention that when the rest of the drainage details are missing? Every. Single. Time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 We've advanced beyond that one around here. Most of the time I see a wick...or two..., a piece of flashing, etc. So, I bring up the concrete stoop thing sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 I'd call out the downspout. That setup would carve a hole in the dirt here, not to mention the splashing. A landing there would allow the missus to stop and reach back to close the door behind her while carrying a platter of beer and burgers to the back deck. [] Worth mentioning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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