Do I need to bring this up to code??

Nappy · 01-30-2007, 11:55 PM

I have two steps leading down into the living room area from the kitchen and hallway. I want to build buffet cabinets along the step flanking each side, eliminating most of the step except for in the middle.

Do these cabinets need to be at code height? For California, IIRC, handrail height is supposed to be 36" high. I want these cabinets to be 30" high from the top of the step, from the bottom of the steps, the cabinets will be about 42" high.

TIA!!

jproffer · 01-31-2007, 01:46 AM

I'll start.....pictures...pictures....ya lost me at "I have 2 steps"

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 01-31-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jproffer

I'll start.....pictures...pictures....ya lost me at "I have 2 steps"

Same here...lost

Nappy · 02-01-2007, 12:43 AM

Should the shown dimension be to code at, I think, 34" tall.

Thanks!!

Ron

jproffer · 02-01-2007, 01:23 AM

OHHHHHHHHHHH....the d9d dimension. I'm just kidding of course, but I don't understand, I apologize...download SketchUp from google and try to give us somethin to work with. We want to help, but it's really not clear what you're asking.

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 02-01-2007, 06:58 AM

It looks like you have only one step down in your pic. Is it one step or two? Am I missing something?

Nappy · 02-01-2007, 11:06 PM

how come the picture posted can be viewed from my home pc but not my work??

Anyhow, thanks to all of you that took the time to view my thread, I found the answer I was looking for.

Answer: Code says that a handrail of a minimum height of 34" is required if the step/s or drop is greater than 18". My Drop ia 12", therefore, I don't need to follow this guideline.

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 02-02-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nappy

how come the picture posted can be viewed from my home pc but not my work??

Anyhow, thanks to all of you that took the time to view my thread, I found the answer I was looking for.

Answer: Code says that a handrail of a minimum height of 34" is required if the step/s or drop is greater than 18". My Drop ia 12", therefore, I don't need to follow this guideline.

That is exactly what I was thinking when you showed your pic...but I wanted to make sure that we had it right.

Good Luck on your project.....and watch that last step...

KUIPORNG · 02-05-2007, 10:57 AM

my basement stairs is like this: 12 steps, pine wood, right angle steps, the treads and risers form perfect right angle, treads do not exceed a bit like most of the steps does, this make walking down a bit not compfortable because the foot always touch a bit to the risers...

Here are the options I can think of to cover these rough woods:

1. just paint it

2. cover them with laminate

3. cover them with carpet

4. cover them with solid wood

Do you know which way is the best way to go... Also is there a way I can fix the treads so that it exceed a bit to the risers so that it can be felt like regular steps....

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 02-05-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUI****G

my basement stairs is like this: 12 steps, pine wood, right angle steps, the treads and risers form perfect right angle, treads do not exceed a bit like most of the steps does, this make walking down a bit not compfortable because the foot always touch a bit to the risers...

Here are the options I can think of to cover these rough woods:

1. just paint it

2. cover them with laminate

3. cover them with carpet

4. cover them with solid wood

Do you know which way is the best way to go... Also is there a way I can fix the treads so that it exceed a bit to the risers so that it can be felt like regular steps....

OK....I'm not sure I am following you, but I think what you are saying is that you would like your tread widths not lengths).... to be wider. If this is the case, the question is:

What is the width of your treads now?

Is there an overhang in front (Where the tread nose overhangs the riser below it?

KUIPORNG · 02-05-2007, 02:43 PM

sorry, I create my message in the wrong thread, I have since create a new one... don't want to hijack this thread... please go to the other thread if you are interested in knowing the story Thanks.

01-30-2007, 11:55 PM	#1
Nappy Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3	Do I need to bring this up to code?? I have two steps leading down into the living room area from the kitchen and hallway. I want to build buffet cabinets along the step flanking each side, eliminating most of the step except for in the middle. Do these cabinets need to be at code height? For California, IIRC, handrail height is supposed to be 36" high. I want these cabinets to be 30" high from the top of the step, from the bottom of the steps, the cabinets will be about 42" high. TIA!!

01-31-2007, 01:46 AM	#2
jproffer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chester, IL Posts: 1,140	Do I need to bring this up to code?? I'll start.....pictures...pictures....ya lost me at "I have 2 steps"

02-01-2007, 12:43 AM	#4
Nappy Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3	Do I need to bring this up to code?? Should the shown dimension be to code at, I think, 34" tall. Thanks!! Ron

02-01-2007, 01:23 AM	#5
jproffer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chester, IL Posts: 1,140	Do I need to bring this up to code?? OHHHHHHHHHHH....the d9d dimension. I'm just kidding of course, but I don't understand, I apologize...download SketchUp from google and try to give us somethin to work with. We want to help, but it's really not clear what you're asking.

02-01-2007, 06:58 AM	#6
AtlanticWBConst. Lic. Builder/GC/Remodeler Join Date: May 2006 Location: New England Posts: 7,554	Do I need to bring this up to code?? It looks like you have only one step down in your pic. Is it one step or two? Am I missing something? __________________ - Build Well -

Do I need to bring this up to code??