Question about open stairway.....

[Gerald C. Wilcox]

Is there a safety standard ( besides common sense ) about placing the handrail on the closed wall side of a stairway, and leaving the stairway open on the other side for someone to potentially fall? This doesn't make sense......

[Frank P. Newman]

Common sense aside, I believe that arrangement is in compliance. I might mention it anyway as a safety concern.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

You need a stair rail from the top step to the bottom. The open side would not need any railing unless it is > 30 inches off the floor.

[Gerald C. Wilcox]

Well said Joe, I believe that this would be approximately 40" at a minimum.

[Bob Elliott]

Personally in my home I would prefer a nice turning radius like that.
Just place the Safety concern blinker to "on" in the report.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I see nothing wrong with leaving the bottom 2 or 3 steps open. That way you can swing around at the bottom.

[Nick Gromicko]

From 2009 IRC:

R312.1 Where required. Guards shall be located along open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, ramps and landings, that are more then 30 inches measured vertically to the floor or grade below at any point within 36 inches horizontally to the edge of the open side.

http://www.nachi.tv/egress/

[Nick Gromicko]

Also, the handrail is too low. I calculated the height by looking at the number of stair risers between the floor and the chair rail.

[Bob Elliott]

It is 4 steps high.