Stairs

[Joshua L. Frederick]

Should these stairs have any kind of support underneath on the open side? Stairs went quite a ways up more than the pic shows and they were a tad bit wobbly. What are typical requirements? Thanks in advance.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Well hand rail is wrong and no safety rail for starters , Just asking could a 4 inch sphere go between the steps, I would say a support post would help also

[Joshua L. Frederick]

Yeah, handrail was also < 11/2" from the wall, space greater than 4" on the riser space, and the top riser to the upstairs was a good 12" - I nearly fell when going to the basement! (Luckily, I had a change of underwear in the truck). Anyway, I can't seem to find anything as to understair supporting... any more help would be great. Thanks for the reply Wayne, hope all is well down your way.

[Ricky K. Kie]

If im not mistaken its every 6' there needs to be support.

[Richard A. Hetzel]

We can't see what supports that stringer on top (probably a beam or header), but normally full-depth stringers like the ones shown are designed to span the entire distance from top support to bottom. The stair probably pre-dates curent code requirements for railings and passage of a 4-inch sphere, but they might be pointed out as safety improvements, especially if there are infants or small children in the house, or elderly folks.

[nwagner]

Originally Posted by jfrederick

they were a tad bit wobbly

Wobbly as in loosely fastened treads, the stringers lacking secure fastening to the basement floor, flimsy tread and/or stringer material? I commonly find staircases to unfinished basements have any combination of the three problems. Some handyman (I hope they weren't contractors ) have built these things with lumber that has no business supporting a coffee table, let alone a staircase ...

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by jfrederick

Should these stairs have any kind of support underneath on the open side? Stairs went quite a ways up more than the pic shows and they were a tad bit wobbly. What are typical requirements? Thanks in advance.

1. Lack of a barrier on the open side.
2. Inadequate handrail length
3. Inadequate structural support of the stringer.
4. Exceeds modern safety standards

[Richard A. Hetzel]

Exceeds modern safety standards??

You must mean "falls short of modern safety standards"!

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by Richard A. Hetzel

Exceeds modern safety standards??

You must mean "falls short of modern safety standards"!

I guess that's kind of a crucial difference, Richard . Yep, that's what I meant.