R311.7.1

Section R311.7.1 is titled 'Width' and covers the requirements for the wideness of standard stairways. The section addresses 3 distinct areas in a stairway - The area above the handrails to the required headroom; the area at and below the handrails when there is only one handrail; and, the area at and below the handrails when there are two handrails. The purpose of this section is to require stairways that reduce the risk of bump hazards as well as to provide an efficient pathway between different levels. This section has an exception which says that spiral staircases do not need to conform to this section. The purpose of the exception is to clarify that these requirements are not intended for spiral stairways.

The model shows a stairway with each area highlighted and the minimum width dimension shown.