Stoops

[ars001]

Is there anywhere in the code where is states that you must used stoops? I work in Midwest and stoops are used. From what I can see, there is no place in the building code that specifies that you need stoops. Or is there? I guess I ask the question because we are doing a project in New Mexico and I'm wondering if stoops are typically used there?

 

[JKStruct]

what's a stoop?

 

[minorchord2000]

Stoops is throwback term. I grew up in the bronx, where everybody gathered on their stoops and complained about the weather, etc.

The only function of "stoops" or stairs, is to safely get from one level to another level. The local code will dicate the maximum rise/run you can use. I would think that ramps at a max slope of 1V:12H would also meet the code.

Stoops can be concrete or wood or steel.

 

[JAE]

Stoops are any sort of entrance entity that is situated adjacent to building exits.

They serve two main purposes:
1. Provide proper surfaces to exit on, such as a landing, stairway, ramp, etc.
2. In freeze areas, provide a deep enough foundation underneath to avoid frost heave and the resulting jamming of the door as it tries to open.

 

[lkjh345]

FWIW:

I also have tried to find in the IBC a requirement for stoops in front of exterior doors and have come up dry.

Does not mean the requiremnet is not in the code, but I could not find it.

I am also in the midwest (USA), and use stoops at exterior doors as a matter of course. But have gotten into discussions with engineers from warmer parts of the country that argue they are not required by the IBC code anywere, and that the use of stoops is a local practice and is not neccesarily required. I have not found anything in the code that contradicts them.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

You only need a "stoop" when required - elevation change.

Look under "stairs", "stairway" and "exit" in the IBC

MANY references to follow(actaully too many)

 

[rday]

I always thought of the stoop as the landing at the top of the stairs in front of the entry door. Maybe I'm wrong.

Landings at exterior egress door are certainly regulated by the code.

 

[bridgebuster]

minorchord2000

When was the last time you played stoopball?

 

[DonPhillips]

Here is where it says in the code you need a stoop (from the Ohio codes, which are simialr to the 2006 IBC and 2003 IRC codes).

2007 OBC:
"1008.1.5 Landings at doors. Landings shall have a width not less than the width of the stairway or the door, whichever is greater. Doors in the fully open position shall not reduce a required dimension by more than 7 inches (178 mm). When a landing serves an occupant load of 50 or more, doors in any position shall not reduce the landing to less than one-half its required width. Landings shall have a length measured in the direction of travel of not less than 44 inches (1118 mm).

Exception: Landing length in the direction of travel in Groups R-3 and U and within individual units of Group R-2 need not exceed 36 inches (914 mm) when the units are not required to be accessible or Type A units."

2006 RCO:
"311.4.3 Landings at doors. There shall be a floor or landing on each side of each exterior door.

Exception: Where a stairway of two or fewer risers is located on the exterior side of a door, other than the required exit door, a landing is not required for the exterior side of the door.

The floor or landing at the exit door required by Section 311.4.1 shall not be more than 1.5 inches (38 mm) lower than the top of the threshold. The floor or landing at exterior doors other than the exit door required by Section 311.4.1 shall not be required to comply with this requirement but shall have a rise no greater than that permitted in Section 311.5.3 .

Exception: The landing at the exterior doorway shall not be more than 8 1/ 4 inches (210 mm) below the top of the threshold, provided the door, other than an exterior storm or screen door, does not swing over the landing.
The width of each landing shall not be less than the door served. Every landing shall have a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 mm) measured in the direction of travel."



Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[Robertmet]

Stoop is from the dutch and in Brooklyn typically was a stairway from ground level to the second floor of a brownstone.Any set of stone or brick stairs was also a stoop.

 

[DaveAtkins]

I think the intent in colder climates is to keep exit doors operational in the winter. If there is no stoop, chances are no one will shovel the snow away from the exterior door. And then the door could be blocked by snow in an emergency.

Then again, I've never heard of anyone being trapped in a building because snow is blocking the exits...

DaveAtkins

 

[DonPhillips]

In 1-, and 2-family residences, the door swings in and would not be blocked by snow.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[concretemasonry]

Dave - Ever been to Copper Mountain, Michigan? They frequently abandon some doors in the winter. They also have been known to put up canopies over the sidewalks leading from the house.

Don - The storm doors swing outward. That is one of the reasons for the 36" landing depth in the direction of travel.

I don't have the 2003 IRC in front of me, but the numbers in the Ohio code look very familiar and were probably from the earlier national model codes.

Dick

 

[DaveAtkins]

concretemasonry,

I live in northeast Wisconsin, within a couple of hours of the Michigan UP. I have heard that some places up there get so much snow that the buildings have doors on the second floor, so in winter you can walk directly outside from the second floor, but I don't know if that's true.

DaveAtkins

 

[DonPhillips]

Neither the IRC or the IBC require storm doors. For 1- and 2-family, there is no requirement for doors to swing in the direction of egress. In the IBC, the swing needs to be in the direction of egress when the occupant load exceeds 50.



Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[minorchord2000]

bridgebuster:

Used to play with the small pink air filled rubber balls. We played stickball with these balls and when we could not get enough to play stickball, we used to just play handball from the edge of the sidewalk to the face of the building which was invariably brick.

Did not play stoop ball, because the older guys (older for us was anyone over 20) would be sitting on the stoop eating, drinking beer, whatever. They would yell at us for hanging around the stoop.

What a life.