Roof Access Stair Requirements

Each step or rung of a fixed ladder must be able to.

Roof access stair requirements.

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. Fixed ladders must be able to support at least two loads of 250 pounds 114 kg each concentrated between any two. 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. Spiral stairs must meet the vertical clearance requirements in paragraph d 3 of this section.

Individual rung step ladders must extend at least 42 inches 1 1 m above an access level or landing platform either by. Interior stairs shall terminate at the under side of the roof at a hatch or scuttle of at least 8 square feet 0 74 m 2 with a minimum dimension of 20 inches 508 mm. 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. 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.

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. 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.