513 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 23-29

Sections

24-8. General Requirements.

Stairway Construction and Safety

For structures 20 feet or taller, stairways must be provided during construction, and alternatives must be addressed in an AHA as per paragraph 24-6.
Stairways should be installed at an angle between 30 and 50 degrees, with uniform riser heights and tread depths. Variances in dimensions should not exceed one-quarter inch.
Handrails and standard stair railings must be installed as specified, with appropriate heights, dimensions, and clearances to ensure safety.

Ramps, Runways, and Trestles

Ramps, runways, and platforms must be as level as possible. Traverse cleats are required where the slope exceeds 1 foot in 5.
Vehicle ramps, trestles, and bridges must have a walkway, guardrail, and wheel guards or curbs at least 8 inches high.
Ramps replacing steps must have cleats to ensure safe access.

Personnel Hoists and Elevators

The design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of personnel hoists and elevators must comply with manufacturer's instructions and relevant ANSI/ASSP, ANSI, ASME, and OSHA standards.
A copy of the manufacturer's manual and applicable ANSI/ASME standards must be kept onsite.

24-9. Figures and Tables.

Not Applicable.

24-10. Checklists and Forms.

Not Applicable.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

24-8. Stairways should be installed at an angle _____.

ranging from 40 degrees to 60 degrees

above 36 degrees

between 30 and 50 degrees

of 45 degrees

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 24-8 (h.–j.).

24-8. General Requirements. (h.–j.).

h.  Stairways.  (24-8.h)

(1)  On all structures 20 feet (6.1 m) or more in height, provide stairways during construction. Address alternatives to the use of stairways in an AHA according to paragraph 24-6.

(2)  Use temporary stairways to provide access to the work level when permanent stairways are not installed concurrently with the construction of each floor.  Temporary stairways must have landings not less than 30 inches (76.2 cm) in the direction of travel and extend at least 22 inches (55.8 cm) in width at every 12 feet (3.7 m) or less of vertical rise.

(3)  Install stairs between 30 degrees and 50 degrees from horizontal.

(4)  Risers must be of uniform height and treads of uniform depth within each flight of stairs. Stairway systems must not have any variations of more than
    one-quarter (1/4) inch (0.6 cm) in any riser height or tread depth.

(5)  When metal pan landings or metal pan treads are used, secure them in place and fill them with concrete, wood, or other material to at least the top of each pan.

(6)  Nail wooden treads in place.

(7)  Handrails.

(a)  Handrails must provide adequately shaped and dimensioned handhold that allows for anyone grasping it to avoid falling.

(b)  The height of handrails may not be more than 38 inches (96.5 cm) nor less than 30 inches (76.2 cm) from the upper surface of the handrail to surface of tread, in line with face of riser or to surface of the ramp.  Existing installations do not need to be modified if they met the building code that was in effect at the time the facility was built.

(c)  Provide all handrails and railings with a minimum clearance of 2¼ inches (5.7 cm) between the handrail or railing and any other object.

(8)  Standard Stair Railings.  Install standard stair railings around all stair wells.

(a)  The height of stair rails must be 42 inches +/- 3 inches (106.7 cm +/- 7.6 cm) from the upper surface of the toprail to surface of the tread in line with face of the riser at forward edge of tread.  Existing installations need not be modified.

(b)  Provide midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate structural members between the toprail and the stairway steps.

(d)  Screens or mesh, when used, must extend from the toprail to the stairway steps and along the entire opening between rail supports.

(e)  Intermediate vertical members in between posts (for example, balusters), when used, may not be more than 19 inches (48.3 cm) apart.

(f)  Install other structural members, when used, in such a manner so that there are no openings in the stair rail system that are more than 19 inches (48.3 cm).

(g)  The toprails of stair rail systems must be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (0.9 kN) applied in any downward or outward direction within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of any point along the top edge of the rail.

(9)  Every flight of stairs with four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76.2 cm) must have standard stair railings or standard handrails.

(a)  On stairways less than 44 inches (111.8 cm) wide with both sides enclosed, install at least one standard handrail, preferably on the right descending side.

(b)  On stairways less than 44 inches (111.8 cm) wide with one side open, install at least one standard stair railing on the open side.

(c)  On stairways less than 44 inches (111.8 cm) wide with both sides open, install one standard stair railing on each side.

(d)  On stairways more than 44 inches (111.8 cm) wide, but less than 88 inches (223.5 cm) wide, install one standard handrail on each enclosed side and one standard stair railing installed on each open side.

(e)  On stairways more than 88 inches (223.5 cm) wide, install one standard handrail on each enclosed side, one standard stair railing on each exposed side, and a standard handrail in the middle of the stairway.

(10) Turn the ends of handrails and stair rails into the supporting wall or partition or otherwise arrange them so they do not constitute a projection hazard.

(11)  Stair rail systems and handrails must be smooth surfaced to prevent injury, such as punctures and lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing and equipment.

(12) Doors or gates opening onto a stairway must have a platform and the swinging of the door may not reduce the width of the platform to less than 22 inches (55.9 cm) if installed after January 17, 2017, or 20 inches (50.8 cm) if installed prior.

(13) Do not install spiral stairways, except for special limited usage and secondary access where it is not practical to provide a conventional stairway. Provide, use, and maintain spiral stairways according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

(14) Maintain three points of contact at all times when ascending or descending spiral stairs, ship stairs, or alternating tread stairs.

i.  Ramps, Runways, and Trestles.  (24-8.i)

(1)  Ramps, runways, and platforms must be as flat as conditions will permit. Apply traverse cleats to the working surface where the slope exceeds 1 foot:5 feet (0.3 m:1.5 m).

(2)  Provide vehicle ramps, trestles, and bridges on which foot traffic is permitted with a walkway and guardrail located outside the roadway.  Provide the roadway structures with wheel guards, fender logs, or curbs not less than 8 inches (20.3 cm) high and place them parallel with and secured to the sides of the runway.

(3)  When used in lieu of steps, provide ramps with cleats to ensure safe access.

j.  Personnel Hoists and Elevators.  (24-8.j)

(1)  Design, construction, installation or erection, operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of personnel hoists and elevators must be according to the manufacturer’s instructions, ANSI/ASSP A10.4, ANSI A10.22, ASME A17 and the applicable OSHA standards (for example, 29 CFR 1926.552).

(2)  Keep a copy of the manufacturer’s manual covering construction, installation or erection, operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance, and a copy of the applicable ANSI and/or ASME standards available onsite.