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The Confluence of Quality and Integrity

Proper Landings-Are your stairs safe?

September 16, 2012 by danmcconnon

 Proper Landings-Are your stairs safe? Wenatchee and Quincy Home Inspections


One of the most common defects on home is stairs. Stairs often are not properly constructed to meet the requirements for safety. This can include width requirements, rail strength, proper handrails, or variation in height from one tread to another.

                                          Stair Requirements

Another very important part is that the stairs land on a proper landing. If the ground is not flat and fairly smooth for 3 feet at the bottom of the stairs a proper landing is required.

The width of a stair landing must not be less than the width of the stairway served. Each landing needs to have a minimum of 36 inches measured in the direction of travel that is fairly flat and smooth. Landings should not be pitched, sloped, or damaged that can cause a trip hazard.

 

                                                     stair landing trip hazard

                                                                    (There are other issues here)

                                                      close up of stair landing trip hazard 

                                                      

Here we have an example of a stair landing that is a hazard. I actually almost twisted my ankle here.

Most people get used to their own odd variations of their stairs but if you are carrying groceries or items, these variations can cause you to fall. I think almost all of us have done this in our lives.
 

“They say any landing you can walk away from is a good one.”

Alan Shepard

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com


 Proper Landings-Are your stairs safe? Wenatchee and Quincy Home Inspections


One of the most common defects on home is stairs. Stairs often are not properly constructed to meet the requirements for safety. This can include width requirements, rail strength, proper handrails, or variation in height from one tread to another.

                                          Stair Requirements

Another very important part is that the stairs land on a proper landing. If the ground is not flat and fairly smooth for 3 feet at the bottom of the stairs a proper landing is required.

The width of a stair landing must not be less than the width of the stairway served. Each landing needs to have a minimum of 36 inches measured in the direction of travel that is fairly flat and smooth. Landings should not be pitched, sloped, or damaged that can cause a trip hazard.

 

                                                     stair landing trip hazard

                                                                    (There are other issues here)

                                                      close up of stair landing trip hazard 

                                                      

Here we have an example of a stair landing that is a hazard. I actually almost twisted my ankle here.

Most people get used to their own odd variations of their stairs but if you are carrying groceries or items, these variations can cause you to fall. I think almost all of us have done this in our lives.
 

“They say any landing you can walk away from is a good one.”

Alan Shepard

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com

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