About this video:
Stairway inspections play an important role in providing safe access throughout a building, from the exterior to the interior. While the level of inspection can vary, at a minimum, inspectors should focus on stairways that are part of the means of egress and their key features.
Key features to inspect include:
- Treads should be at least 11 inches wide, and risers must be uniform, with a height between 4 and 7 inches.
- Handrails must be graspable and between 34 and 38 inches high.
- Handrails need to extend at least 12 inches beyond the last tread and return to the wall at the top and bottom.
For a complete checklist of stairway inspections, visit Inspecting Stairways, Railings, and Guards at Commercial Buildings.
Additional Resources for Commercial Property Inspections: