Roof Access Stair Requirements

Vertical clearance above any stair tread to any overhead obstruction is at least 6 feet 8 inches 203 cm as measured from the leading edge of the tread.

Roof access stair requirements.

A minimum perpendicular distance of 30 inches 76 cm from the centerline of the steps or rungs to the nearest object on the climbing side. Spiral stairs must meet the vertical clearance requirements in paragraph d 3 of this section. Access to setback roof areas may be through a door or window opening to the roof. In buildings four or more stories or more than 40 feet 12 192 mm in height above grade one stairway shall extend to the roof surface through a stairway bulkhead complying with section 1509 2 unless the roof has a slope steeper than 20 degrees 0 35 rad.

Free egress from the roof to the stairwell is required for occupied roofs but is not mandated by the ibc or nfpa 101 for unoccupied roofs. Each step or rung of a fixed ladder must be able to. When unavoidable obstructions are encountered the minimum clearance at the obstruction may be reduced to 24 inches 61 cm provided deflector plates are installed see figure d 5 of this section. When a roof access hatch or scuttle is located within 10 feet 3 0 m of a roof edge a guard shall be installed in accordance with imc section 304 11.

1910 25 b 3 stairs have uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings. In summary free access to the roof from the stairwell is not required by the ibc or nfpa 101 but may be required or preferred by the local code official.