Stairway construction requirements

Under 1926.1052(a)(1), landings must be provided at least every 12 feet (3.7 m) of vertical rise and each landing must be at least 30 inches (76 cm) in the direction of travel and extend at least 22 inches (56 cm) in width.

• The rule is specific to stairways that will not be a permanent part of the structure and requires a landing of not less than 30 inches in the direction of travel for every 12 feet or less of vertical rise. See 1926.1052(a)(1).

Under 1926.1052(a)(2), stairways must be installed at an angle between 30° and 50° from horizontal.

• If you are installing a stairway, check its slope to ensure it falls within the 30°–50° range specified by 1926.1052(a)(2).

Under 1926.1052(a)(3), riser height and tread depth must be uniform within each flight of stairs, and any variation cannot exceed 1/4 inch (0.6 cm).

• This includes any foundation structure used as one or more treads. For consistency and to reduce trip hazards, maintain uniform riser and tread measurements within each flight as required by 1926.1052(a)(3).

Under 1926.1052(a)(4), you must provide a platform where a door or gate opens directly onto a stairway, and the door swing must not reduce the platform effective width to less than 20 inches (51 cm).

• Make sure the platform meets the minimum width after accounting for the door swing as required by 1926.1052(a)(4).

Under 1926.1052(a)(5), metal pan landings and metal pan treads must be secured in place before filling them with concrete or other material.

• This prevents displacement or collapse during the pour; comply with 1926.1052(a)(5).

Under 1926.1052(a)(6), all parts of stairways must be free of hazardous projections such as protruding nails.

• Inspect stairways and remove or correct protrusions to prevent cuts or snags as required by 1926.1052(a)(6).

Under 1926.1052(a)(7), slippery conditions on stairways must be eliminated before the stairways are used to reach other levels.

• Address spills, ice, mud, or other slip hazards prior to allowing foot traffic, per 1926.1052(a)(7).

Under 1926.1052(b)(1), except during stairway construction, workers are prohibited from using pan stairs that will be filled later unless the pans are temporarily fitted with wood or other solid material up to the top edge of each pan.

• Temporary treads and landings must be maintained and replaced when worn below the top edge of the pan, as required by 1926.1052(b)(1).

Under 1926.1052(b)(2), except during stairway construction, foot traffic is prohibited on skeleton metal stairs where permanent treads or landings will be installed later unless the stairs are fitted with secured temporary treads and landings covering the entire tread and landing area.

• Temporary treads must be secured and cover the full area as specified by 1926.1052(b)(2).

Under 1926.1052(b)(3), treads for temporary service must be made of wood or other solid material and must be installed to the full width and depth of the stair.

• Ensure temporary treads fully cover each step (full width and depth) as required by 1926.1052(b)(3).

Under 1926.1052(c)(1), stairways having four or more risers or a rise over 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, must be equipped with at least one handrail and a stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.

• Note that when the top edge of a stairrail system also serves as a handrail, 1926.1052(c)(7) applies. See 1926.1052(c)(1).

Under 1926.1052(c)(2), winding and spiral stairways must have a handrail offset far enough to prevent walking on portions of treads where tread width is less than 6 inches (15 cm).

• This offsets the walking path away from dangerously narrow portions of the tread, as required by 1926.1052(c)(2).

Under 1926.1052(c)(3)(i), stairrails installed after March 15, 1991, must be at least 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stairrail system to the surface of the tread, measured in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.

• Measure height as described to ensure compliance with 1926.1052(c)(3)(i).

Under 1926.1052(c)(6), the height of handrails must be not more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread, measured in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.

• Keep handrail heights within 30–37 inches as required by 1926.1052(c)(6).

Under 1926.1052(c)(7), when the top edge of a stairrail system also serves as a handrail, the top edge height must be not more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) above the tread surface.

• Use the tighter 36–37 inch range in this situation as specified by 1926.1052(c)(7).

Under 1926.1052(c)(4), midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members (like balusters), or equivalent structural members must be provided between the top rail of the stairrail system and the stairway steps so there are no openings greater than 19 inches (48 cm).

• Midrails must be midway between the top rail and the steps 1926.1052(c)(4)(i), and intermediate vertical members must be no more than 19 inches apart 1926.1052(c)(4)(iii). See the full provision at 1926.1052(c)(4).

Under 1926.1052(c)(5), handrails and the top rails of stairrail systems must withstand a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge in any downward or outward direction without failure.

• Design and test railings to resist this minimum load per 1926.1052(c)(5).

Under 1926.1052(c)(8)–(c)(10), stairrail systems and handrails must be surfaced to prevent punctures, lacerations, or snagging of clothing; provide an adequate handhold; and have ends constructed so they do not create projection hazards.

• These provisions mean you should round or cap sharp edges, avoid protruding ends, and shape handrails for secure grip as required by 1926.1052(c)(8), 1926.1052(c)(9), and 1926.1052(c)(10).

Under 1926.1052(c)(11), handrails that will not be permanent must have a minimum clearance of 3 inches (8 cm) between the handrail and walls, stairrail systems, and other objects.

• Keep temporary handrails at least 3 inches away from nearby surfaces as specified by 1926.1052(c)(11).

Under 1926.1052(c)(12), unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings must be provided with guardrail systems that meet the criteria in Subpart M of 29 CFR 1926.

• For the guardrail specifications referenced, see 1926.SubpartM and the stairway landing requirement at 1926.1052(c)(12).