OK, who is IRC code saaavvvvyyyy??

[Jeff Remas]

Let me know what you think about this. Figure this one out, more than one problem. IRC 2003 applies.

[kurt]

One needs a code book to know that's a pile of crap?

[Richard Moore]

Well...without actually delving into my IRC...

No way you can add a step on top of those CMUs and maintain an even rise. The step down from the front door would be OK only if the landing was 3ft deep and it doesn't look like it. The plain concrete upper step is different enough (no lip) that it probably breaks the rules for uniformity. Handrail. Oh...and that's some ugly brickwork either side of the entrance...(buried weepholes?).

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by Jeff Remas

Let me know what you think about this. Figure this one out, more than one problem. IRC 2003 applies.

All those blue letters on the step form a tripping hazard.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Jeff Remas]

Rich Moore you are certainly on the ball. They had to jack hammer out the bottom block in order to pour the sidewalk to the correct elevation.

[jon_ran]

Originally posted by Jim Katen

All those blue letters on the step form a tripping hazard.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

No.....

It has actually been added for extra traction.

[Darren]

Jeff,

Is the landing 3 feet deep?

And yes, that's some awful brickwork.

[Jeff Remas]

No, the landing is less than 3'. There are multiple problems with this situation starting from the design to installation.

[John Dirks Jr]

Since that is an exterior door it swings inward, correct? If so, and there is no screen door that swings outward, is there still a requirement for a landing with a minimum of 36" depth?

I mention this because I thought the 36" landing rule applied when a door swings out over it.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Darren]

John,

NJ IRC R311.4.3 Landing at doors.- There shall be a floor or landing on each side of each exterior door.

Note: There are several exceptions EXCEPT at the 'required exit door' (front door).

[John Dirks Jr]

Thanks Darren, I must have had the rule confused with "interior" doors and stairways/landing requirements.

Here's the full code language on the subject.

R311.4.3 Landings at doors.

There shall be a floor or landing on each side of each exterior door. The floor or landing at the exterior door shall not be more than 1.5 inches (38 mm) lower than the top of the threshold. The landing shall be permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2-percent).

Exceptions:

1. Where a stairway of two or fewer risers is located on the exterior side of a door, other than the required exit door, a landing is not required for the exterior side of the door provided the door, other than an exterior storm or screen door does not swing over the stairway.

2. The exterior landing at an exterior doorway shall not be more than 7¾ inches (196 mm) below the top of the threshold, provided the door, other than an exterior storm or screen door does not swing over the landing.

3. The height of floors at exterior doors other than the exit door required by Section R311.4.1 shall not be more than 7¾ inches (186 mm) lower than the top of the threshold.

The width of each landing shall not be less than the door served. Every landing shall have a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 mm) measured in the direction of travel.

[aaronm]

4 risers needs a handrail.

R311.5.6 Handrails.

Handrails shall be provided on at least one side of each continuous run of treads or flight with four or more risers.

Aaron[:-party]

[Steven Hockstein]

Originally posted by Jeff Remas

Rich Moore you are certainly on the ball. They had to jack hammer out the bottom block in order to pour the sidewalk to the correct elevation.

If I was the owner, I would have left the foundation and made them rebuild the whole thing further away from the house so the landing could be extended to create a safer entry door condition.