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Staircase-Open stringer stairs

14 years ago

These stairs are beautiful. I want to mimic this design but my architect tells me that building codes will not allow this because of the 4" maximum ball rule for open stringer stairs. Do you have any idea what he is talking about? How did you overcome this? Thanks Charlie. Really appreciate your answers on HOUZZ.

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Comments (3)

PRO
Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd
14 years ago
That's a universal code in the US, these are 3.75 ".
Good luck!
PRO
Artistic Stairs Ltd.
14 years ago
You could make the stringers what we call "Western" style instead of "Eastern". This would remove the 4" ball rule and you would be good.
PRO
Stair Design / Iron Design
14 years ago
The 4" rule only is applied to the guardrail spacing, or between balusters, the space at the bottom of the guardrail where the riser and tread make the "Triangle area" has a code of 6" , who ever builds the rail system just needs to make the pitched bottom rail as close to the nosing as you can, i usally leave about a 1/2" space between nosing and bottom rail and never have code issues. Any questions feel free to look me up www.stairdesignonline.com

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