Pennsylvania Code › Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Part I - Department of Labor and Industry › Chapter 50 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS-BUILDINGS › MEANS OF EGRESS › Section 50.26 - Intercommunicating stairway

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
				  Intercommunicating stairways are stairways which connect two or more floor
				  levels of a building. They may be open to one floor level. They are not
				  required to discharge directly to grade. Intercommunicating stairways shall
				  comply with subsections (b)-(q) when used as a required means of
				  egress.
(b) Intercommunicating
				  stairways shall be Class A or Class B types in accordance with the following
				  table:
Class A
								Stair
Class B Stair
Minimum clear width in inches
40"
36"
Maximum height of riser
7 1/2"
8"
Minimum width of tread
10"
9"
Maximum angle of stairs in degrees
33°
40°
Required handrails (Each handrail is allowed to
								project 3" without decreasing theminimum clear width)
Both sides
One side under 40" in width, both sides 40" or more in width
Maximum vertical distances between
								landings
9'
12'
(c)
				  The minimum width of landings shall be the same width as the stairs they serve.
				  Intermediate landings on straight run stairs shall have a minimum length of 3
				  feet.
(d) The narrowest width in a
				  stairway or landing serving a stairway shall determine the units of width for
				  the entire stairway.
(e) There
				  shall be no variation in the width of treads or the height of risers in any
				  flight. Variation in height of risers in adjacent flights shall not exceed 1/4
				  inch. All treads less than 10 inches, as measured horizontally between the face
				  of risers, shall have an effective projection of approximately 1 inch beyond
				  the face of the riser below.
(f)
				  Where material of stair treads and landings is such as to present a danger of
				  slipping, nonskid material shall be applied.
(g) No arrangement of treads known as winders
				  shall be permitted in required exit stairways.
(h) All stairways, landings, balconies, open
				  sided floors, and the like shall have well secured handrails. The clear
				  distance between handrail and wall or other obstruction shall be not less than
				  1 1/2 inches. Longitudinal rails or balusters or both shall be provided.
				  Balusters shall be spaced not more than 6 inches apart. Longitudinal rails
				  shall not exceed 6 inches measured at right angles to the rails. The lowest
				  rail shall be measured vertically from the tread nosing.
(i) Handrails on stairs shall be not less
				  than 30 inches nor more than 34 inches above the upper surface of the tread,
				  measured vertically to the top of the rail, from a point on the tread 1 inch
				  back from the leading edge.
(j)
				  Handrails shall be provided on any stair landing, balcony, ramp, aisle, and the
				  like located along the edge of open sided floors or mezzanines to prevent falls
				  over the open side. Railings protecting open sides of landings, balconies,
				  mezzanines, and the like shall be at least 42 inches high.
(k) Storage or obstructions of any kind shall
				  not be permitted in stairways.
(l)
				  A door opening into a stairway shall at no point in its swing reduce the
				  required units of width of the stair or landing.
(m) Every door to a stairway shall open onto
				  a landing at least as wide as the stairs.
(n) Doors and frames used in connection with
				  stairways shall be of approved label and be of substantial construction,
				  installed in a workmanlike manner, fitted with reliable hardware of approved
				  label and shall be of the side hinged, swinging type.
(o) Stairway doors shall swing with the exit
				  travel.
(p) Stairway doors shall be
				  provided with panic hardware or fire exit hardware. No lock or other device
				  which prevents egress shall be permitted on such doors during any period of
				  occupancy.
(q) Stairway doors shall
				  be a minimum of 32 inches in width. All doors used in connection with stairways
				  shall be a minimum of 6 feet, 8 inches in height.
This section cited in 34 Pa. Code §
												50.23 (relating to means of egress
						capacity); 34 Pa. Code §
												50.24 (relating to exit doors and
						exit access doors); 34 Pa. Code §
												50.94 (relating to fixed seating);
						34 Pa. Code §
												53.26 (relating to
						intercommunicating stairways); 34 Pa. Code §
												55.26 (relating to
						intercommunicating stairways); 34 Pa. Code §
												56.26 (relating to
						intercommunicating stairways); and 34 Pa. Code §
												58.26 (relating to
						intercommunicatng stairways).