Did not pass code...
 

Here are some pics of the steps on our deck that was built by our dissolved contractor. The game is and it is not too hard to conclude what is wrong with these steps. I will post more pics as I rectify these steps. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1340714925.jpg

In our area the top step would need more height on that riser. Also maybe they would require a handrail.

I think you need to raise the deck

Or add a step on top of the deck.;)

Dont know the height but, Looks like you could have gotten away with two steps. Top step is a tripping hazard. Also risers cant be opened like that

3 steps or more require a handrail. Oh and steps need to land on a secure footing.

Looks like a pre manufactured stringer so run and rise are probably kosher. As noted already, handrail, tripping hazard, footing.

What are the front feet of the stringers sitting on? Looks like some cut down dowels used to level between the poured concrete and paver.

Maybe a better question is, What's right with it?

Lower it down where is attaches to the deck. So the top riser equals the rest. The steps will lean in. Use stacks of fender washers to level the steps when you bolt them on.

"Code" :rolleyes:

yeah, that is bad design, for a number of reasons. ... but so too are 'pull' handles on push to open retail doors, for example. Quick, call the design police.

As much as I loath bad design, do we really need a design police for peoples private property? ...and why do we have it for only the people with money who have hired architect? ...why not send those code enforcers into trailer parks? ..check under peoples mattresses to make certain they're not using press-board for structure... ...check the mattress for urine and bodily fluids which might have a safety risk. ...think of the children!! :cool:

what the HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?



you forgot the "ADA" wheel chair ramp! and the freeking handicrapper toilet!

and the "handicrapper" parking ZONE with ramp!

and the lighted hand rail and the lighted steps!


what were you thinking?

and.....................you FORGOT THE AUTO FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM!

the handheld uscg UL listed fire extinguishers..........(4)


and a heart defib system wall mounted 4ft above floor level...........


and ANTI SKID 3m matting to steps to avoid spinouts and slippage during rain or snow!



man im telling you this project will get you sued into the stone age in no time!

sheesh!


man i almost forgot the safety helmet rack/the safety vest rack/safety eyewear rack/the safety eye wash station/and the safety shoe rack!

Good morning iLand. You seem a little grumpy this a.m.

You would not believe the new 2009 IRC codes regarding decks. just a single railing post requires an additional $25 in hardware and specialized connectors to meet the current code. But its funny how the ony way to meet the code is by using Simpson hardware. (who just so happens to be on the IRC council.....)
Some of the codes i can agree with though , due to the fact that there have been so many deck collapses over the year due to very poor construction. But the majority of them i feel are rediclulous.

http://thestreetwhereyoulive.files.w...re-to-help.jpg

http://renaissanceronin.files.wordpr...re_to_help.jpg


:eek: :rolleyes: :confused: :mad: :(

Where I live, "your house, your deck, your problem" is the "code".

I'll take photos of my deck (built by the PO) and you'll all wonder why my whole family hasn't maimed or killed.

the rise at each step can not be more that 1/8" diff on each. you could flush it up with the deck n 1st step and put a landing at the bottom that can be lower than the rest of the step rises. landing would prolly have to be a minimum of 48" x 48"

Nah.. I think that you must be projecting your mood a bit. ...this AM I'm the usual amount of grumpy. ;)

The code police... give a guy a clip-board... it never ends well.

Again, I really do like good design, but the code police are not the solution.

Their end is always about control for the sake of control (power over people - not driving good design)

That does look like an accident waiting to happen after the first few pints out of the keg. Regardless of code, I'd even the spacing (either 2 or 3 steps) and I would also add a hand rail.

G

Drunks should have an easy path back to their car. :cool:

There are also the elderly and worse - the drunk elderly - to worry about.

G

Toured a house that had a top stair like that. Damn near fell into the hall. This was inside, carpeted etc. Not a cheap house too. Never looked back. What did they do that didn't show? Stairway math is pretty important.

There is no shortage of idiots in this world, sadly.

You could always just put a ramp too. Might be nicer and a selling point later if it's compliant (accessible entry). Just something to consider.

Yes, looks like they just tacked on a pre-fab stair...

And it looks like it could be done with just two stairs, not sure of the best way to modify the existing stair to do that.

Just curious,What is the height of the deck at that point?

I tripped just looking at it.

Elevator....or an escalator as a minimum.

best answer!

What's with the overlaping 2 X 6 to the left side of the step? They couldn't hide the fill piece under the stairs?

If I tripped and fell because of that, I would blame no one but myself. If my mother or grandmother tripped and fell because of it, I would blame them for not paying attention. I hate what society has become..... Way too many laws on the books infringing on our freedom to do what we want on property we own.

You'd still blame yourself if your grandma broke her hip stepping off your sloppy step install. I also take issue with codes and do not think this should be anyone's business but the owner's. That said, I like to build things right and safe - out of my own motivation.

G

We now have a Green Inspection here. No kidding, not in green font.

When I worked at the Grand Canyon, we had a set of steps leading to the kitchen of the El Tovar hotel that was fourteen steps high. The top step was four inchs higher than the rest of the steps, and the steps were painted black, with safety treads over them. People who used those steps every day were known to trip on that top step, and several people went down the steps face first. Guess who fixed that ?

As a carpenter for more than 35 years, I would NEVER build a set of stairs that were not perfect, and I happen to know that you would not either.

Rules are for the rest of the jerks who would not GAF if someone else's Grandmother took a header and broke her neck. Cops and ER people hate drunks because why ? Could it be for the same reason building inspectors hate hack carpenters ?

Nobody intends to trip on bad stairs, but sooner or later someone does.

You would never build it that way nor would you accept it had you paid someone to do it.

I've had my issues with code enforcement but I understand it's there to protect those who simply don't know from those who should but are too lazy to do the right thing.

I don't believe OP told the contracter, "you know it's my property and I WANT you to build me ****ty stairs."

maybe I should post a pic of my stairs... they don't meet code either

I do not have an issue with the OP being upset with the quality of work he PAID for, but I truly despise that govt has anything to say about how someone chooses to build something on their own property. As far as getting hurt by tripping over something..... well I still place blame on the person who tripped and not the homeowner. I hate the fact that homeowners can be held accountable for having ice on their sidewalks in the middle of winter or for kids drowning in their pools or getting hurt jumping on a trampoline in the back yard. When I was growing up if I hurt myself at a friends house, I simply went to the ER and our health insurance covered it.... Now, typically the homeowner would get sued due to my error.

Everything now gets blamed on someone else. Spill hot coffee, sue the restaurant. Wreck your car, sue the automaker. Dive into water that is too deep, sue the homeowner. Ski out of bounds and get hurt, sue the ski resort.

The concept of taking personal responsibilty for ones actions is lost in todays society.

Rant over:D

Stairs are an automatic function just like many things you do from writing cursive while thinking your thoughts or steering the car while noticing the other things around you that you should be aware of.

A short step in a series of stairs is not something you have have to think about. Remember, the human eye cannot see shape or distance. What it can see is color and size. Shape is determined by the variations in color due to light reflection off the shape. Distance is a function of size and how you focus your two eyes; the parallax. Ask someone with only one eye like my dad. From the top, all those stairs would have looked the same to him.

Tim, you can be unreasonable at times. At least my dad would have thought so.

yes yes. . U should never have to think...

What if you call it 'art' ? ...I mean, that Guggenheim . ..someone might feel unbalanced.

unh... no

in fact, the eye has shape detector circuits built right into it (i.e. before the brain)

going up or down stairs does become routinized with practice tho

I agree completely! And I hope everyone with dangerous stairs on their property will step up and take responsibility for them.

Rant over:D

Don't cling too hard to your hope (and change), about the time you do Tabs will shove you down the stairs. :D

Funny, but... Don't cling too hard to your hope for better sentence structure (and change the one you posted).

Those stairs aren't even close to IRC. They wouldn't even make code around here in the 70's.

Even height risers, less than 8-1/8". Need a guard on both sides if more than 3 risers. Graspable rail on 1 side. No open risers.