BCAB #1673 - Stair Tread Depth and Stair Tread Finish, 9.8.4.3.(2), 9.8.9.6.(1) and 9.30.1.4.(1)

July 27, 2010

BCAB #1673

Re: Stair Tread Depth and Stair Tread Finish, 9.8.4.3.(2), 9.8.9.6.(1) and 9.30.1.4.(1)

Project Description
The project is a single family home containing an interior stair with wood finish treads.

Reason for Appeal
The nosings of the stair overlap the finish tread of the stairs, creating a raised nosing that is 7/32” higher than the finish tread. 9.8.4.3.(2) requires the depth of a rectangular stair tread to be not less than its run. 9.30.1.4.(1) requires finished flooring to have a surface that is smooth, even and free from roughness or open defects.

Appellant’s Position
The appellant considers that the flooring installed has a surface that is smooth and free from roughness or defects. Laminate stair treads with overlaid nosings are generally accepted as “even”. The nosings installed protrude only 1/16” more than these typical nosings, a variation which is commonly found in other flooring types such as tile. The tread depth of the stair is 11 1/8”, which is not less than its run.

Building Official's Position
The building official maintains that the surface of the flooring is neither smooth nor even due to the raised nosing. The building official also contends that due to the unevenness of the flooring on the tread, the sensory effect to the user is effectively a tread depth that is less than the run of the stair.

Appeal Board Decision #1673
It is the determination of the Board that Sentence 9.8.9.6.(1) applies and the nosing and laminate tread finish do not provide the intended equivalent performance to hardwood, vertical grain softwood or resilient flooring. The Board relied on functional statement F30 attached to Sentence 9.8.9.6.(1) which indicates the provision is intended “to minimize the risk of injury to persons as a result of tripping, slipping, falling, contact, drowning or collision.” The Board considers the uneven tread surface created by the raised nosing could lead to tripping, slipping or falling.

George Humphrey, Chair