ibc or osha stairs?

[zennis]

For an industrial building in U.S., IBC states 7 and 11 for rise and run (maximum and minimum, respectively). However OSHA allows different maximum and minimums, however the rise to run must be between 30 and 50 degrees. What code must one follow?

Thanks

 

[SperlingPE]

Depends.
Who has jurisdiction? City inspectors or ???
What are the stairs used for? Exit or utility?
Does the owner have a preference?

 

[zennis]

Thank you for your reply. These stairs would be the exit/accessibility/egress, which leads me to believe the IBC is the code to be followed.

 

[JStephen]

You'll also notice a difference on railings- 2-rail (OSHA) versus 3-rail or more (UBC/IBC).

Note that IBC is not automatically applicable anywhere in the US- building code varies by area; may be current IBC or various outdated codes.

Which OSHA spec are you referring to? I see that 1910.24 refers to "Fixed Industrial Stairs", which is "interior and exterior stars around machinery, tanks, and other equipment, and stairs leading to or from floors, platforms, or pits. This section does not apply to stairs used for fire exit purposes..."

 

[JJF]

zennis,

You may have already visited:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9716

to look at OSHA's staircase guidelines.

I agree with JStephen, above, however my experience in heavy industry is you can make a good case to the local building department when you are meeting OSHA, when/if the more strigent IBC cannot be met.

A call to the local building inspector is usually all it takes.

jjf

 

[zennis]

I think all the replies have stated what is necessary to consider...is this a fire exit? I believe it is since it is to a platform on a roof top and is the only up/down access to the platform for the mechanical equipment. Thanks for the replies.