Are Landings Necessary For Outside Doors?

A landing is required outside each exterior door of a home, and it is often misinterpreted as meaning at the required egress (emergency exit) door. The 2015 International Residential Code outlines the requirements for landings and floors at exterior doors, including threshold height, slope, and exception rules for different types of doors and balconies.

Landings must be constructed on both the exterior and interior side of the door, with the width of each landing not less than the door served. The IRC requires that the landings do not slope more than 1 unit per 48″ (2 slope). Landings or finished floors at the required egress door should be no more than 11/2 inches (38 mm) lower than the top of the threshold.

A landing or floor is required on both the exterior and interior sides of exterior doors other than the required exterior egress door. A landing should be at the same height as the floor inside, and a “step down” is required to reach the landing. Regardless of the occupant load, there must be a floor or landing on each side of a door, with the floor or landing being no more than 1 inch lower than the door.

In summary, a landing is required at all exterior doors, regardless of the type of door or balcony. The 2015 International Residential Code provides guidelines for designing egress systems in buildings, including threshold dimensions, slope, and exception rules.

What size is the landing on an exterior door?

The text states that exterior doors must have a landing or floor on each side, with a width no less than the door served and dimensions no less than 36 inches in the direction of travel. The slope at these landings should not exceed 1/4 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2 percent). However, exterior balconies less than 60 square feet and only accessed from a door can have a landing smaller than 36 inches.

What is the code for front door steps?

The code stipulates that the height of the front entry step (risers) should not exceed 7 3/4 inches, and that the part of the step you step on (treads) should not exceed 10 inches. It is imperative that all risers and treads be uniform and consistent in design.

How many steps can I have without a landing?

In accordance with the USA Code, a flight of stairs is prohibited from having a vertical rise exceeding 12 feet between floor levels or landings. This stipulation results in approximately 20 legal risers or steps.

Do exterior steps require a landing?

In accordance with the regulations pertaining to outdoor stairwells, a floor or landing is mandatory at both the summit and nadir of each stairway. Furthermore, the width of the landing must be no less than that of the stairway itself, measured perpendicular to the direction of travel. In order to comply with the relevant regulations, exterior composite decking used for stair landings must adhere to the specifications set forth in section R507. 2. 2 Furthermore, outdoor stair guardrails are required to comply with the general requirements set forth in IRC Section R312. 1. Guardrails.

Does an exterior door have to have a landing?

The code mandates that every exterior door, egress or non-egress, must have a landing on each side, providing a stable place to stand while operating the door. The landing must be at least the width of the door and 36 inches deep, with the option to slope for drainage or construction tolerance. This change allows design flexibility for non-egress exterior doors, such as balcony decks with cantilevered floor joists, which would place the threshold at the level of the exposed decking if a step was not permitted.

Raising the door a step up the wall allows for a well-flashed sill below and additional detailing space between the door and the deck. The code also allows for no raised landing on either side, as the door is considered an “extra” in private homes with greater occupant awareness and minimal expectation of use. The probable hazard is assumed to be less than the front entry door, which is typically the required egress door.

Is it against code to have an exterior door swing out?

The direction of swing for exterior doors in residential homes is not a statewide mandate, but individual municipalities may have their own guidelines. It is crucial to check with your local building department to determine if there are specific rules governing this in your area. Safety is a top priority, and the New Jersey building code requires bedrooms and other primary sleeping areas to have at least one operable window or door for emergency egress. The landing area outside the door has specific requirements concerning its size and level difference relative to the door’s threshold.

Housing owners should consult their local building department for a seamless renovation or installation process, as compliance with local building codes not only guarantees safety but also facilitates a smoother approval process for renovation permits. Practical considerations in New Jersey include the diverse climate, community norms, and unique challenges, which all play a role in making an informed decision when choosing the direction of exterior doors.

How do you plane an exterior door?

To plane a door, ensure the plane is adjusted to remove thin layers of wood. Test the plane by running it across scrap wood and adjust the blade if necessary. Use gentle pressure and glide the plane smoothly across the wood, working in the direction of the grain from the outside edges in. Keep the plane level to avoid taking off too much surface.

After planeing the surface, rehang the door and check the fit by opening and closing it several times. Sanding and painting or staining are easier with the door off the hinges, so remove the door again after confirming a proper fit.

Lightly sand the exposed wood with coarse sandpaper to remove grooves from the plane and fine sandpaper to smooth the finish. Avoid removing more than a small amount from the top surface while sanding to maintain the perfect fit. Brush away any sawdust.

What is the maximum height of stairs without landing?

The code stipulates that a flight of stairs cannot have a vertical rise greater than 12 feet 7 inches between floor levels or landings, with exceptions for heights exceeding this limit.

What is the gap between door and frame exterior?

Older doors can sag due to wear and tear, causing the door to fall out of alignment with the frame. To fix this, tighten the hinges and adjust the alignment if necessary. Replace old screws with larger ones to reinforce the hardware. Incorrectly installed weatherstripping can cause gaps in exterior doors, exposing the home to drafts, leaks, and bugs. Install new weatherstripping to keep the outdoors on the right side of the door. Sealing gaps in your front door can be done using various methods.

Can exterior doors swing out?

The latest developments in design have seen the incorporation of residential front doors that open outward, extending beyond the conventional inward-opening doors.

What is the code for door landing size?

It is a requirement that a floor or landing be present on each side of a door, situated no more than 1 inch below the threshold. Furthermore, in the event that a door opens over a landing, it must be of a width at least equal to that of the door itself and a length of 5 feet.