tnpappas Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 What are some of the more common issues you find with spiral staircases? Is is acceptable to be the only means of internal access to the upper level of the house? Do you call out the open risers like these as a safety hazard? Click to Enlarge 40.33 KBClick to Enlarge 38.54 KBClick to Enlarge 33.76 KBClick to Enlarge 21.1 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 I don't have the IRC in front of me right now, but spiral staircases are specifically covered in there. No matter what, I would make a note of the open risers. I have to take measurements of these things on site, and then read the code book at home that night to see what is wrong. I just don't see them that often, and different rules apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 In addition to the usual trip and fall/egress hazards, there's the headbanger considerations. Those stupid treads have sharp metal corners that folks walk into. I've banged myself a few times....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleuth255 Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 I'm interested to know if open risers in and of themselves represent a safety hazard. Shouldn't tread overlap be a determining factor? Here's a pic showing this: These stairs have about a 25% overlap across the entire tread radius. Safe or not from an open riser perspective I wonder? Is 30% better? How about 50%? Interestingly, I've not seen this addressed by building code but then I'm certainly no expert either. Now I agree that spiral stairs are inherently more dangerous than standard stairs. My daughter fell down a set when she was a small child. If you start your fall towards the center of these types of stairs, its like falling straight down to the floor below.... Fortunately, she wasn't' hurt badly. Should this fact be written up whenever spiral stairs are encountered though? I dunno... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msteger Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 It's also really difficult to walk up and down these things wearing a tool belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 It's also really difficult to walk up and down these things wearing a tool belt. Or a sword. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca1 Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Any ideas on how to prevent head banging on the corners of the metal spiral staircase? It joins bottom to top deck. It has a corner for all ages & all heights as you head to the steps to the yard. It can't be moved. What can we do to make it safer for people on our deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Enclose it below the deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Foam padding. Either that, or drop vertical trim strips from the treads to the floor to enclose the "cylinder" space; if folks can't walk under the stair, they can't bang their heads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADAIR Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 some spiral info http://www.salterspiralstair.com/codes.htm low clearance hang sign and hard hat in the stairway opening after a few bumps folks will realize reading comprehending & donning would be most prudent & less harmful Click to Enlarge 39.13 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 I say let 'em bang their heads. The human species has been bonking it's head since it first stood erect, that's how we learned to duck. Posting signs, wearing helmets, and mandating that we are protected from ourselves is going to eventually devolve us into ducks. If it hurts when you do that, don't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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