Final Inspection

jerryaldini

I built a 3 story deck in S.F., upon final inspection, the inspector noticed that
all my stairway runs where 32" rather than 36" wide. The inspector did not
sign off for the final. Everything else on the deck was perfect. There were 2 sets of plans I was working off of, the site plan and the revision. I thought they were identical, because the stamp on the both plans had the same date.
I was not involved in the permit process, so I didn't know there was a revision.
On the site plan, the stair widths were marked 32" clearly in the plans and the text below. On the revision the stair widths were marked 36" , but in the text below it still read 32" widths. I
The cost to comply and rebuild the stairwell to 36" would be around $25,000 which is completely out of the question(structure is all 4x material, with 6x6 verticals)
I did have a pre-final inspection with a different inspector and I only showed
him the site plan not by intention. He said since it passed through the city
and it was stamped, 32" would be acceptable. He said all I needed to do was
to get my hand rails up and he would sign me off. He also told me to make
sure that I ask for "him" (Keith Mathers) for the final inspection. So thats just what I did. But the building dept. sent out a different inspector.
On that day I had both sets of plans, and he nailed me on it.
What options do I have?
Should I try for a variance?

Bill

saw this post before didn't I?

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Virginia Department of Licensing
Virginia Plumbing Codes

genecarp

wtfusp

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Bill

could had sworn I saw this one because someone had said they knew the inspector.

__________________
Is it beer thirty yet
Virginia Department of Licensing
Virginia Plumbing Codes

Mike Finley

Sounds like you got the "wink" from inspector Keith.

Call him up on monday and talk to him about it.

neolitic

Jerry obviously didn't like the answers
he got here before...
http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/final-inspection-41975/
So he's back, hoping the inspection fairy
will wave her magic wand this time.

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(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

Bill

I knew it! I knew I saw that post before, thought I was in the Twilight Zone

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Is it beer thirty yet
Virginia Department of Licensing
Virginia Plumbing Codes

mickeyco

This ain't good, remember new stairs are always a minimum of 36" unless your working on (not replacing) existing non-compliant or a variance was granted prior to building. I'm with Finley, call Keith and see what he says. Were there old stairs, were they 32"? Sometimes you can get away with hanging your threads over a few inches to hit the 36" (2" each side) to pass and they let you slide on the railing, you can also add a stringer on one side, relocate the railing to achieve the 36" depending on the deck configuration. You also have a potential liability issue if there is an accident on the deck. Architects and engineers are liable for designing to code (regardless of the stamp that tries to put the liability on the builder), the problem is it sounds like you might have made the error by using the wrong plans although whoever drew them up should have never specified 32" stairs, maybe you can place a little blame on him/her. How did you end up with the 32" plans?

.

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Old Timer

I don't know which codes you are using but READ them carefully. I believe if you READ them you will find the 36" is what is required at or above the handrail (IRC). READ this carefully:

R311.5.1 Width.
Stairways shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height. Handrails shall not project more than 4.5 inches (114 mm) on either side of the stairway and the minimum clear width of the stairway at and below the handrail height, including treads and landings, shall not be less than 31.5 inches (787 mm) where a handrail is installed on one side and 27 inches (698 mm) where handrails are provided on both sides.

Hope this helps.