BCAB #1600 - Required Landings, Article 9.8.4.2.

April 21, 2004

BCAB #1600

Re: Required Landings, Article 9.8.4.2.

Project Description

The subject building is a house with an attached garage. Access from the dwelling unit to the garage is through a door with its swing into the garage. The door swings over a stair, which has two risers.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 9.8.4.2. (1) states where a door swings toward a stair, the full arc of its swing shall be over a landing. Sentence 9.8.4.2.(4) states a landing shall be provided at the top of all exterior stairs, except that a landing may be omitted at a secondary entrance to a building containing a single dwelling unit provided the stair does not contain more than 3 risers.

Appellant’s Position

The appellant considers the door between the garage and the dwelling unit to be a secondary entrance to the building and that the exemption stated in Sentence 9.8.4.2.(4) is applicable.

Building Official's Position

The Building Official considers that Sentence 9.8.4.2.(1) is applicable. This requires the full arc of the door swing to be over a landing.

Appeal Board Decision #1600

It is the determination of the Board that Sentence 9.8.4.2.(1) applies and a landing is required or the door must swing into the adjacent hallway. Sentence 9.8.4.2.(4) is not applicable because the door in question is not an exterior door.

George Humphrey, Chair