Permanent Attic Stairs Code Requirements

25 x 54 most common small width pull down attic stair.

Permanent attic stairs code requirements.

To convert your attic to living space you cannot provide access via a ladder. Attic stairs are generally steeper than other stairs in the home and your local building codes may make exceptions or they may not if this is the case it may give the customer a chance to get the stairs in where he wants them. 22 1 2 x 54 for the smallest pull down stairway. This article series explains how to inspect the condition and safety of attic stairs folding or pull down attic stairs and ladders and attic stairway railings landings treads and related conditions for safety and proper construction.

Standard rough openings for typical attic pull down stairs. Don t know of any codes that would apply in. The vertical height shall be measured from the top of the ceiling framing members to the underside of the roof framing members. Minimum 10 inch stair tread depth with nosing or minimum 11 inches with no nosing.

Maximum 7 3 4 inch stair riser height. Maximum 12 3 vertical height rise for a flight of stairs. Most homes have a 1 2 drywall panel installed in the attic access opening which is fine. The 2009 edition of the international building code ibc and the 2006 edition of the international residential code irc offer guidelines regarding attic access although not specifically pull down ladders.

2009 ibc commercial construction. Attic stair pull down or folding stairway construction installation inspection hazards repair questions answers. Minimum 6 8 headroom height clearance for stairway. Here s the full text of the code.

Buildings with combustible ceiling or roof construction shall have an attic access opening to attic areas that exceed 30 square feet 2 8 m2 and have a vertical height of 30 inches 762 mm or greater. Provide a minimum of 6 8 of headroom the entire walking length of the stairs. 30 x 54 for the. But when you put something else in the opening it must be equivalent to 1 2 drywall which has roughly a 20 minute fire resistance.

Still the information might be of some interest to inspectors. The attic has a ceiling height less than 6 at the peak of the roof. My reading of code seems to be that simple over current protection is sufficient for an attic. If a permanent stairway leads only to an attic is it acceptable for a receptacle to be installed at the bottom of the stairs for use as a vacuum cleaner receptacle.