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Component Manufacturing dverti$ dverti $ er
By MiTek Staff
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
Adverti$$er
August 2024 #16301 Page #110
New to the IRC 2024 Sec. R502.11
he 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) is available. One addition to the new residential code deals with the wood framing around stair openings. This addition was submitted as part of a code change proposal by the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association (SMA) based on the work and consensus of an industry committee. MiTek and Simpson Strong-Tie participated in these meetings, along with representatives from the I-Joist industry and others. The SMA position is that the current building code contains a life-safety issue with no language or requirements to ensure adequate guard (stair railing posts) connection points.
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Current IRC 2021 Definitions and Sections Dealing with Guards Definitions: •
Guard: A building component or a system of building components located near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to the lower level.
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Handrail: A horizontal or sloping rail intended for grasping by the hand for guidance or support.
Sec. R312.1.2 Height. Required guards at open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, porches, balconies, or landings, shall not be less than 36 inches in height as measured vertically above the adjacent walking surface or the line connecting the nosing. From Table R301.5 Minimum Loads, a guard shall be designed to resist a 200-pound load away from the walking surface. This load and connection have a torsional effect on the framing member, which must be passed through into the floor diaphragm. This code addition is because stair installers require specific elements within the wood floor system to connect the guards. Currently, stair installers are on the project site after most, if not all, of the finish materials have been installed. Consequently, the stair installers have no information about the wood floor framing at the required guard locations. The stair installers attempt to install the guards, and if it feels as though the fasteners hit solid wood material, they continue with the installation. If the installer feels that the fasteners did not form a solid connection, they will remove the finish materials and install additional wood framing that they believe will be sufficient. The stair installers then repair the finish material and continue the guard installations. None of this work is designed or inspected. It is also highly subjective and dependent on the experience of the stair installers. Continued next page
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