Code Sections:

IBC 1009.3.3 Profile

Submitted by:

David W. Cooper, Stairway Manufacturers’ Association

657 Quarry St.
Fall River, MA 02726
T- 508-674-3440
F- 508-674-4646
coderep@stairways.org

Proposal:
Revise as follows:

1009.3 Stair treads and risers. Stair riser heights shall be 7 inches (178 mm) maximum and 4
inches (102 mm) minimum. Stair tread depths shall be 11 inches (279 mm) minimum. The riser
height shall be measured vertically between the leading edges of adjacent treads. The tread
depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of
adjacent treads and at a right angle to the tread’s leading edge. Winder treads shall have a
minimum tread depth of 11 inches (279 mm) measured at a right angle to the tread’s leading
edge at a point 12 inches (305 mm) from the side where the treads are narrower and a minimum
tread depth of 10 inches (254 mm).

Exceptions:
1. Alternating tread devices in accordance with Section 1009.9.

2. Spiral stairways in accordance with Section 1009.8.

3. Aisle stairs in assembly seating areas where the stair pitch or slope is set, for sightline
reasons, by the slope of the adjacent seating area in accordance with Section 1025.11.2.

4. In Group R-3 occupancies; within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; and in Group U
occupancies that are accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy or accessory to individual dwelling
units in Group R-2 occupancies; the maximum riser height shall be 7.75 inches (197 mm); the
minimum tread depth shall be 10 inches (254 mm); the minimum winder tread depth at the walk
line shall be 10 inches (254 mm); and the minimum winder tread depth shall be 6 inches (152
mm). A nosing not less than 0.75 inch (19.1 mm) but not more than 1.25 inches (32 mm) shall be
provided on stairways with solid risers where the tread depth is less than 11 inches (279 mm).

5. See the Section 3403.4 for the replacement of existing stairways.

Revise as follows:

1009.3.3 Profile. The radius of curvature at the nosing leading edge shall be not greater than 0.5
9/16 inch (14.312.7 mm). Beveling of nosings shall not exceed 0.5 inch (12.7 mm). Risers shall be
solid and vertical or sloped from the underside of the nosing leading edge under of the tread
above at an angle not more than 30 degrees (0.52 rad) from the vertical. The leading edge
(nosings) of treads shall project not less than ¾ inch (19 mm) but not more than 1.25 inches (32
mm) beyond the tread below and all projections of the nosings in the stairway leading edges shall
be of uniform size, including the leading edge of the floor at the top of a flight.

Exceptions:
1. Solid risers are not required for stairways that are not required to comply with Section
1007.3, provided that the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a
sphere with a diameter of 4 inches (102 mm).
 2. Solid risers are not required for occupancies in Group I-3.

Supporting Information:

Purpose:
Clarification of the code and minor revision of a dimension.

Reasons:
The code language can be simplified by using the definition in the code. The change of
dimension requested will not affect stair safety and will allow the adoption of the industry standard
for all wooden stair treads.

Substantiation:
This change is all about profile, requiring projection, and using defined terms. Because of a
reference to nosing projection in one of the exceptions in 1009.3 that section has been included.
Suffice it to say that the requirement hidden in the exception is not necessary if our proposed
changes to 1009.3.3 are accepted because the requirement will appear where it belongs in the
charging paragraph of 1009.3.3.

The change in the radius from .5 inch to 9/16 inch permits the currently allowed radius of the half
round profile that is used to nose treads that are manufactured to an industry standard thickness
of 1-1/16 inch. This minimal change will not affect stair safety as the 9/16 inch radius is currently
accepted in field inspections as a nominal variation and would match the dimension used in the
IRC as well as the standard to which all wood treads are made.

The text of this section could be less confusing if the code’s defined term “nosing” is substituted
for “leading edge”. The word nosing is used throughout the industry in the daily; manufacture,
distribution, sale and installation of treads, landing tread and return nosing mouldings, and stairs.
In addition the IBC definition in “1002.1 NOSING. The leading edge of treads of stairs and of
landings at the top of stairway flights.” very simply includes the answer to the questions: “Leading
edge of what?”, “Does the code mean Nosing?”, Is a Nosing different than a leading edge of a
tread or leading edge of a stair or leading edge of a landing? This substitution eliminates the need
for parentheses and includes in the definition reference to the nosing of landings as well. In this
particular code use of the defined term can simplify and eliminate confusing and redundant
language that causes people to think that there is a difference between nosing and leading edge.

When descending a stair the user places the ball and toes of the foot onto the tread below. From
this pivot point the heel then drops in an arc until the foot is balanced on the tread and the weight
shift can be completed to swing the other foot to the next tread below. As the heel drops in the
arc a nosing projection allows additional clearance for the heel. The same relief can be obtained
by sloping the riser under the upper tread. The word “under” is being added to clarify the intent
that the riser may be sloped back into the stair as an alternative to the use of a nosing projection
that allows heel relief for the descending user. Currently the code is misinterpreted to allow the
riser to be sloped out onto the tread below which causes an effective shortening of the tread
depth expected by the user. Please see attached graphic illustrating the maximum space
available for the heel to arc onto the tread.

In the profile study (graphic) below it is clear to see the advantage of having a nosing projection
even on treads as large as 11 inches. If a projection is not used or required the usable tread
space in descent is greatly reduced. If you compare the illustration of the 11 inch tread with no
projection it has less available foot space than is attained with a 10 inch tread with the required
projection. I am sure you have walked on stairs with no nosing projection and wondered why it
felt strange. It is because the user experiences a foreshortening of the tread and is not given the
heel clearance that he or she is accustomed to related to where they normally place the ball and
toes of the feet near the edge of the tread when descending. This is usually noticeable and the
user must make the adjustment when no nosing projection is used. Without further study we
could not recommend a minimum width that could be used without a nosing projection however
requiring nosing projections makes sense. For this reason we have included 1009.3

Finally the use of the defined term Stairway further clarifies the codes intent to include nosings at
the edges of floors and landings as they are part of a stairway by definition.

Bibliography: none

Cost Impact:
The proposal will not increase the cost of construction.

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