Pennsylvania Code
Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Part I - Department of Labor and Industry
Chapter 50 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS-BUILDINGS
MEANS OF EGRESS
Section 50.26 - Intercommunicating stairway

(a) Intercommunicating stairways are stairways which connect two or more floor levels of a building. They may be open to one floor level. They are not required to discharge directly to grade. Intercommunicating stairways shall comply with subsections (b)-(q) when used as a required means of egress.

(b) Intercommunicating stairways shall be Class A or Class B types in accordance with the following table:

(c) The minimum width of landings shall be the same width as the stairs they serve. Intermediate landings on straight run stairs shall have a minimum length of 3 feet.

(d) The narrowest width in a stairway or landing serving a stairway shall determine the units of width for the entire stairway.

(e) There shall be no variation in the width of treads or the height of risers in any flight. Variation in height of risers in adjacent flights shall not exceed 1/4 inch. All treads less than 10 inches, as measured horizontally between the face of risers, shall have an effective projection of approximately 1 inch beyond the face of the riser below.

(f) Where material of stair treads and landings is such as to present a danger of slipping, nonskid material shall be applied.

(g) No arrangement of treads known as winders shall be permitted in required exit stairways.

(h) All stairways, landings, balconies, open sided floors, and the like shall have well secured handrails. The clear distance between handrail and wall or other obstruction shall be not less than 1 1/2 inches. Longitudinal rails or balusters or both shall be provided. Balusters shall be spaced not more than 6 inches apart. Longitudinal rails shall not exceed 6 inches measured at right angles to the rails. The lowest rail shall be measured vertically from the tread nosing.

(i) Handrails on stairs shall be not less than 30 inches nor more than 34 inches above the upper surface of the tread, measured vertically to the top of the rail, from a point on the tread 1 inch back from the leading edge.

(j) Handrails shall be provided on any stair landing, balcony, ramp, aisle, and the like located along the edge of open sided floors or mezzanines to prevent falls over the open side. Railings protecting open sides of landings, balconies, mezzanines, and the like shall be at least 42 inches high.

(k) Storage or obstructions of any kind shall not be permitted in stairways.

(l) A door opening into a stairway shall at no point in its swing reduce the required units of width of the stair or landing.

(m) Every door to a stairway shall open onto a landing at least as wide as the stairs.

(n) Doors and frames used in connection with stairways shall be of approved label and be of substantial construction, installed in a workmanlike manner, fitted with reliable hardware of approved label and shall be of the side hinged, swinging type.

(o) Stairway doors shall swing with the exit travel.

(p) Stairway doors shall be provided with panic hardware or fire exit hardware. No lock or other device which prevents egress shall be permitted on such doors during any period of occupancy.

(q) Stairway doors shall be a minimum of 32 inches in width. All doors used in connection with stairways shall be a minimum of 6 feet, 8 inches in height.