I have a client right now who has shown me an open stair as the inspiration for her stair construction. I'm already the bearer of bad news in explaining (surprisingly high) construction costs to someone who has no prior experience with construction. Now I'm throwing cold water on her vision for a major feature in her house. Thankfully, she is not asking for a ladder to the sleeping loft.
Architects can find ways around the inspection but I don't believe there is any way to avoid the liability if an accident occurs. That the owner insisted won't matter, especially if the injured person is a visitor or later owner.
But those beautiful photos will probably bring in great clients, who will all want open stairs, or ladders instead of stairs, or something else that sidesteps the codes. This might be a lucrative sub-specialty. If only I were so brave.
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Carol De Tine AIA
Carriage House Studio architects LLC
Portland ME
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-02-2017 12:03
From: Karen Campbell
Subject: Stairs and Building Code Compliance
I've always wondered the same thing myself....
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Karen Campbell
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-31-2017 18:05
From: Joyce Flood
Subject: Stairs and Building Code Compliance
When I go through architectural magazines and see these beautifully designed homes with staircases that do not have guardrails nor handrails, I always wonder how they got away with not having to provide guardrails, when it's over 30" high, and be featured in a magazine. Any comments?