Are required handrails a national law or local building code?
In addition to the State Code below, always check with the local governing municipality (county, town, city, village) which often have Local ordinances with additional requirements.
2004 OHIO RESIDENTIAL CODE
ONE, TWO AND THREE FAMILY DWELLINGS
CODE REQUIREMENTS
01-Footings R403 All footings shall be sized to 403.1.1 Minimum depth shall be 32in. below grade.
02-Foundation anchorage R403.1 Foundation imbedded wall framing anchors, ½" anchor bolts @ 6' oc 7" into concrete, not more than 12" from every corner. Or approved straps installed to manufacturer’s instructions.
03-Foundation Drainage R401.3 The grade away from foundation walls shall fall a minimum of 6in. within the first 10ft.
04-Exterior Deck Footing R403.4 All deck footings shall comply with 403.4
05-Under Floor Space R408 Access 18in. x 24in. Ventilation min.1sqft per150 sqft. Reduced 1/1500 with approved vapor barrier.
06-Concrete Slab R505 Fill 24”maximum for sand/gravel, 8” for earth. 4”compacted base, vapor barrier where required.
07-Masonry Veneer R703 Ties spaced not more than 24”vapor barrier,1”air space, weepholes spaced not more than 33”
08-Wood Floor Framing R502
09-Wood Wall Framing R602
10-FireBlocking Required R602.8
11-Wall Bracing R602.10
12-Moisture Vapor Retarders R318 Installed on warm in winter side.
13-Wood Roof Framing R802
14-Roof Ventilation R806 net free area shall not be less than 1/150 of the area to be ventilated.
15-Attic Access R807 not less than 22”x 30”
16-Light and Ventilation R303.3 Vent directly to exterior. All ducts through unconditioned space shall be insulated.
17-Stairway illumination-R303.6 All interior and exterior stairways shall be provided with illumination.
18-Ceiling Height-R305 Habitable rooms shall have minimum ceiling height of not less than 7 ft
19-Smoke Detectors R313 Required on every level, inside and outside of every sleeping area. Shall be hardwired, interconnected with battery back-up.
20-Glazing R308 Tempered glass required for hazardous locations
21-Emergency Egress Openings R310 Shall have a min. net clear opening of 5.7sqft Grade floor windows can be 5sqft min. Min.width 20in. height 24in. Sill height not more than 44in. above floor.
22-Means of Egress R311 Hallways min. width 3 ft. Required exit door 3ft. wide
23-Landings at Door R311.4.3 A 3ft. x 3ft. landing required on each side of a door
24-Ramps R311.6 Maximum slope of 1 vertical in 8 horizontal
25-Stairways R311.5 Min. headroom 6ft 8in, min.width 36in., Max rise 8 ¼, min. tread 9in.3/8in.variance allowed between.handrails required on 4 or more risers.
26-Handrails R311.5.6 Min. ht.34in.max.ht.38in.ends shall return or terminate into posts. Shall provide for graspability.
27-Guardrails R312 Required for floor/stair surfaces over 30”from floor. Not less than 36”in height, no opening shall pass object 4”or more in diameter.
28-Attached Garage to Habitable area doors R309.1 Solid wood 1 3/8 thick, 20-minute fire rated, or metal insulated exterior door.
29-Attached Garage Separation R309.2 The garage and its attic shall be separated by ½ inch gypsum minimum. Habitable rooms above garage shall be protected with 5/8 type X gypsum board.
30-Attached Garage Floor Requirements R309.3 Sloped to facilitate the movement of liquids to a drain or toward the main vehicle entry doorway.
31-Chimneys & Fireplaces R1001
32-Exterior Air Supply R1006 Located within 24” of the firebox opening, or in the back or sides of the firebox chamber.
33-Mechanical Requirements Chapter 13 & 14
34-Combustion Air Chapter 17
35-Fuel-Gas Supply Systems Chapter 24
36-Insulation Provide documentation showing Ohio Building Code Energy Compliance for Zone 12.
THIS LIST DOES NOT REFLECT ALL CODE RELATED ITEMS
Housing Codes for Columbus, Ohio
On July 25, 2008
See
www.healthyhomestraining.org 1
I. Introduction
The Housing Code of the City of Columbus, Ohio (Title 45) contains provisions for safety and sanitary conditions, lead-based paint, smoke detectors, unfit buildings, and the responsibilities of owners and occupants. Section II summarizes the healthy housing provisions of the Code. Section III provides relevant excerpts from the Code.
II. Summary
Safety and Sanitary Requirements (§§ 4525.01 – 4525.14)
In brief:
•Structures must be “rodentproof,” watertight, and “weathertight.” § 4525.01. The code provides specific rat-proofing requirements. § 4525.10.
•
Stairways must have handrails that meet code specifications. § 4525.03.