Research & Writing Assignment:
I read the article on Stairway inspection. The number of stairway deaths and accidents that occur every year put into perspective how important safety and proper construction are. Some of the more important items to look for are a handrail that is loose or risers that are too steep.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The main egress door of this dwelling is compliant with safety standards. The distance between the threshold to the inside landing is 1. The distance between the threshold and the exterior landing is 3 1/2 inches. The door is sturdy and outside is accessible with a turn knob.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The attached picture shows the main egress doorway and the landing area outside of it. The landing area exceeds the 36" x 36" landing area and uses the allowed exception of having a step that is 7 3/8" high. The door swings inward and not over the landing which is correct. The spindles of the railing were 4.5" wide at different points which does not meet the proper safety standard of 4" or less. This could pose a safety hazard to a young child who could get there head caught so the inspection report should note this and recommend correction.
Research & Writing Assignment:
My essay is based upon the article,“Stairway Inspection”, by Nick Gromicko. In the article Nick relates the hazards of unsafe stairways, potential defects, and also states the numbers of people injured every year in stair related falls. The elderly are particularly at risk for falls on stairs. Some of the noted safety hazards related to stairways were loose or nonexistent handrails, household items left on stairs which could cause a person to trip, waxed stair treads, uneven or slanted treads, and also no safety gate at top of stairs when small children are present. Another common hazard is that spindles are spaced more than 4" apart which could allow a small child to either fall or become stuck.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
During the inspection of the stairway leading to the basement I noticed one obvious defect, but over all everything else looked great. To the right of the stairway the protruding area is not supposed to go beyond 4 inches. I measured the protrusion to be right at 6 1/2 inches, which is beyond the allowable width. The measurement of the vertical distance from stair tread to the bottom ceiling above the stairs measured out to the exact minimum height of 6 foot 8 inches. I measured the landing at the bottom of the stairs to be 36in. wide by 36in. deep, which is the recommended landing area. The handrail was sturdy, continuous, and met the required measurements. Besides the over-protruding area to the right side of stairs, the stairway inspection was great.
Research & Writing Assignment:
An inspection of an emergency egress at a window in a basement is very important in case of an unlikely event of fire or emergency escape. The egress opening should be operational from inside the room without the use of a tool or key. The area of the window well should allow the egress window to open all the way. Egress openings into the well should be at least 9 square feet with a horizontal depth and width of 36 inches. Window wells more than 44inches in depth should have a permanently placed ladder or steps.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Overview of front entry door; at time of inspection door found to be in satisfactory condition. Weatherstripping in satisfactory condition. Door meet egress requirements. Door measures 36 inches wide. 6 foot eight tall. Door is readily operable from inside without the use of a tool or a key or any special knowledge or effort
Research & Writing Assignment:
Inspecting stairways; in the US stairway should be at least 36 inches wide this is measured at all point above the handrail height and below the required headroom height. For a spiral stairways, there should be a width of at least 26 inches measured at and below the handrail. The handrail height should be at least 34 inches, and not more than 38 inches. Guards should be constructed as so to prevent adults from falling over them and children from crawling through them. The design strength of a guard should resist 200 pounds horizontal guards at raised floor areas, balconies and porches should have intermediate rails or ornamental enclosures that do not allow passage of a sphere that is 4 inches in diameter The triangular area formed by a tread riser and garden show not allow the passage of a sphere that is 6 inches in diameter.The opening act guards on the side of the stair treads should not allow the passage atmosphere that is 4 3/8 in diameter.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This egress threshold is above the maximum standard of 7.75". It measures 9.75" from the threshold. Since this is an egress into the garage and the thirty six inch plus “landing” is the garage floor, I would call it out as not meeting building standards in terms of the threshold egress height. It is a long step down with no handrail. If this home were to be sold to an older couple or a couple with small children, it could pose a hazard.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When looking at the illustration gallery photo “Means of Egress Exception 1,” I noted the long step into my garage as perhaps being out of standard. I grabbed my measuring tape and confirmed it. I know from experience that this can be a difficult drop to negotiate at times. I can certainly see why the standard exists.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The window in this basement is tape because the glass is cracked and the frame around the window is rusted. This window will not slide open either. This window is I need of replacement it can be an emergency hazard.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Is very essential to check egress windows for obstruction of a deck. And the size of of the windows and to also make sure the function properly In case of an emergency. It is very important in the safety of the occupants of the home to be able to escape.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Stairways must be a minimum of 36 inches wide. Any landing on stairs should be as wide as the stairs and have a total area of at least 3 square feet. The treads should be a minimum of 10 inches wide with a maximum rise of 7 3/4 inches high
Research & Writing Assignment:
During an inspection window bars may be encountered. While they are likely to prevent Intruders from entering through the window, they can also prevent a quick exit in the event of a fire. Window bars should be easily opened from the inside, without the use of a key or any special knowledge.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a photo of a blueprint with the egress route and path of travel clearly marked. In this building due to the occupancy the paths must not exceed 75 for the common path of travel and 250 total travel distance to the ground.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The picture I chose was a set of egress stairs with the screen door swinging out over a 36" landing which is the exception. The 36" entry doo should swing out of room the room as to not interfere with the direction of travel.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Hand rail is not compliant with current requirements, hand rail must meet a Newel, or end into the wall. instead here we have the hand rail ending without either a newel or into the wall as required for safety reasons.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Railing spacing.
The spacing between balusters on a deck or stair landing greater then 30" must not exceed 4". the reason for this is we don’t want a child to get his or her head stuck in the railing for safety reasons
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The picture attached is that of me measuring the width of the hallway that connects my dining room to the bedroom area which is required to be of thirty six inches. As you may see in the picture, my hallway’s width is only thirty three inches.
Research & Writing Assignment:
After observing the Rise, Run and Tread Width illustration in the Illustration Gallery, it refreshed my mind on the maximum run of a tread which is ten inches and maximum rise is seven and three fourths inches while nosing is usually about an inch.
