SPS 321.042(5)(b)
(b) Handrails shall be located so the top of the handrail is at least 30 inches, but not more than 38 inches, above the nosing of the treads.
SPS 321.042(5)(c)
(c) Open handrails shall be provided with intermediate rails or an ornamental pattern such that a sphere with a diameter of 6 inches or larger cannot pass through.
SPS 321.042(5)(d)
(d) The clearance between the handrail and the wall surface shall be at least 1½ inches.
SPS 321.042(5)(e)
(e) Handrails shall be designed and constructed to withstand a 200 pound load applied in any direction.
SPS 321.042(6)(a)(a) The ladder shall have a minimum clearance of at least 15 inches on either side of the center of the tread.
SPS 321.042(6)(b)
(b) The edge of the tread nearest to the wall behind the ladder shall be separated from the wall by at least 7 inches.
SPS 321.042(6)(c)
(c) A passage way clearance of at least 30 inches parallel to the slope of a 90° ladder shall be provided. A passage way clearance of at least 36 inches parallel to the slope of a 75° ladder shall be provided. Clearances for intermediate pitches shall vary between these 2 limits in proportion to the slope.
SPS 321.042(6)(d)
(d) For ladders with less than a 75° pitch the vertical clearance above any tread or rung to an overhead obstruction shall be at least 6 feet 4 inches measured from the leading edge of the tread or rung.
SPS 321.042 History
History: Renum. from Comm 21.04 (3) (f), cr. (intro.),
Register, January, 1989, No. 397, eff. 2-1-89; am. (6) (b),
Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; am. (5) (b) and (c),
Register, January, 1999, No. 517, eff. 2-1-99;
correction in (2) (a), (3) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register December 2011 No. 672.
SPS 321.045(1)(1)
General. Every exterior or interior ramp which leads to or from an exit shall comply with the requirements of this section.
SPS 321.045 Note
Note: See ICC/ANSI A117.1 chapter 5 for more guidelines relating to the design and construction of an accessible ramp. Under that standard, ramps along an accessible route for people with disabilities should have a slope of not more than 1-foot of rise in 12-feet of run and should have handrails on both sides of the ramp.
SPS 321.045(2)
(2) Slope. Ramps shall not have a gradient greater than 1 in 8 or one foot of rise in 8 feet of run. Walkways with gradients less than 1 in 20 or one foot of rise in 20 feet of run are not considered to be ramps.
SPS 321.045(3)
(3) Surface and width. Ramps shall have a slip resistant surface and shall have a minimum width of 36 inches measured between handrails.
SPS 321.045(4)
(4) Handrails. Handrails shall be provided on all open sides of ramps. Every ramp that overcomes a change in elevation of more than 8 inches shall be provided with at least one handrail.
SPS 321.045(4)(a)
(a) Ramps which have a gradient greater than 8.33% or 1:12 or one foot rise in 12 feet of run and which overcome a change in elevation of more than 24 inches, shall be provided with handrails on both sides.
SPS 321.045(4)(b)
(b) Handrails shall be located so the top of the handrail is at least 30 inches, but not more than 38 inches above the ramp surface.
SPS 321.045(4)(c)
(c) Open-sided ramps shall have the area below the handrail protected by intermediate rails or an ornamental pattern to prevent the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 4 inches or larger.
SPS 321.045(4)(d)
(d) The clear space between the handrail and any adjoining wall shall be at least 1½ inches.
SPS 321.045(5)
(5) Landings. A level landing shall be provided at the top, at the foot and at any change in direction of the ramp. The landing shall be at least as wide as the ramp and shall measure at least 3 feet in the direction of travel.
SPS 321.045 History
History: Cr.
Register, January, 1989, No. 397, eff. 2-1-89; am. (3) (intro.),
Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; am. (3) (c),
Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; am. (3) (b),
Register, January, 1999, No. 517, eff. 2-1-99;
CR 03-097: am. (3) (c)
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 1-1-05;
CR 08-043: renum. (intro.) and (1) to (4) to be (1) to (5) and am. (1)
Register March 2009 No. 639, eff. 4-1-09.
SPS 321.05
SPS 321.05
Natural light and natural ventilation. SPS 321.05(1)(1)
Natural light. All habitable rooms shall be provided with natural light by means of glazed openings. The area of the glazed openings shall be at least 8% of the net floor area, except under the following circumstances:
SPS 321.05(1)(a)
(a) Exception. Habitable rooms, other than bedrooms, located in basements or ground floors do not require natural light.
SPS 321.05(1)(b)
(b) Exception. Natural light may be obtained from adjoining areas through glazed openings, louvers or other approved methods. Door openings into adjoining areas may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
SPS 321.05(2)(a)(a) Natural ventilation. Natural ventilation shall be provided to all habitable rooms by means of openable doors, skylights or windows. The net area of the openable doors, skylights or windows shall be at least 3.5% of the net floor area of the room. Balanced mechanical ventilation may be provided in lieu of openable exterior doors, skylights or windows provided the system is capable of providing at least one air change per hour of fresh outside air while the room is occupied. Infiltration may not be considered as make-up air for balancing purposes.
SPS 321.05(2)(b)
(b) Exhaust ventilation. All exhaust ventilation shall terminate outside the building.
SPS 321.05(3)
(3) Safety glass. Except as provided in
par. (e), glazing shall consist of safety glass meeting the requirements of CPSC 16 CFR, Part
1201 when installed in any of the following locations:
SPS 321.05(3)(a)
(a) In any sidelight or glazing adjacent to a door that meets all of the following:
SPS 321.05(3)(a)3.
3. The plane of the glazing is within 30 degrees of the plane of the door when the door is in the closed position.
SPS 321.05(3)(b)
(b) In any wall where the glazing is within 5 feet vertically of the lowest drain inlet and within 3 feet horizontally of the nearest part of the inner rim of a bathtub, hot tub, shower, spa or whirlpool appliance.
SPS 321.05(3)(c)
(c) Within 4 feet vertically of a tread or landing in a stairway and within one foot horizontally of the near edge of the tread or landing.
SPS 321.05(3)(d)
(d) Within 4 feet vertically of the floor and 3 feet horizontally of the nosing of the top or bottom tread of a stair.
SPS 321.05(3)(e)
(e) Safety glass is not required where the size of an individual pane of glass is 8 inches or less in the least dimension.
SPS 321.05 Note
Note: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires safety glass for glazing in internal and external doors, including storm doors and patio doors, as well as for the tub or shower enclosures themselves. These federal rules, contained in 16 CFR, subchapter B, part 1201, apply in addition to any state rules or statutes.
SPS 321.05 Note
Note: Glass blocks are considered to be masonry products and are regulated under the ACI 530 standard adopted under s.
SPS 320.24. They are not required to be safety glazing.
SPS 321.05 History
History: Cr.
Register, November, 1979, No. 287, eff. 6-1-80; r. and recr. (1) and (2),
Register, February, 1985, No. 350, eff. 3-1-85; r. and recr. (3) and (4),
Register, July, 1986, No. 367, eff. 1-1-87; am. (4),
Register, January, 1989, No. 397, eff. 2-1-89; am. (2) (a), (4) and (5),
Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; am. (2) (a),
Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; am. (3), r. and recr. (4) and (5),
Register, January, 1999, No. 517, eff. 2-1-99;
CR 02-077: am. (1) (a) and (5) (b)
Register May 2003 No. 569, eff. 8-1-03;
CR 08-043: am. (title), r. (3) and (4), renum. (5) to be (3) and am. (3) (intro.), r. and recr. (3) (a) and (b)
Register March 2009 No. 639, eff. 4-1-09.
SPS 321.06
SPS 321.06
Ceiling height. All habitable rooms, kitchens, hallways, bathrooms and corridors shall have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet. Habitable rooms may have ceiling heights of less than 7 feet provided at least 50% of the room's floor area has a ceiling height of at least 7 feet. Beams and girders or other projections shall not project more than 8 inches below the required ceiling height.
SPS 321.06 History
History: Cr.
Register, November, 1979, No. 287, eff. 6-1-80; r. and recr.
Register, February, 1985, No. 350, eff. 3-1-85.
SPS 321.07
SPS 321.07
Attic and crawl space access. SPS 321.07(1)
(1)
Attic. Attics with 150 or more square feet of area and 30 or more inches of clear height between the top of the ceiling framing and the bottom of the rafter or top truss chord framing shall be provided with an access opening of at least 14 by 24 inches, accessible from inside the structure.
SPS 321.07(2)
(2) Crawl spaces. Crawl spaces with 18 inches of clearance or more between the crawl space floor and the underside of the house floor joist framing shall be provided with an access opening of at least 14 by 24 inches.
SPS 321.07 Note
Note: Access to plumbing or electrical systems may be required under chs.
SPS 382 to
387, Plumbing Code or ch.
SPS 316, Electrical Code, Volume 2.
SPS 321.07 History
History: Cr.
Register, November, 1979, No. 287, eff. 6-1-80; am.
Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; am. (1),
Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95.
SPS 321.08
SPS 321.08
Fire separation and dwelling unit separation. SPS 321.08(1)(1)
Fire separation. Dwelling units shall be separated from garage spaces, accessory buildings, property lines and other dwelling units in accordance with Table 321.08 and the following requirements:
-
See PDF for table 
1Distance shall be measured perpendicular from wall to wall or property line, ignoring overhangs.
2 Fire rated construction shall protect the dwelling from an exterior fire source.
3 Fire rated construction may be in either facing wall.
4 Fire rated construction shall be in both facing walls.
5 The methods for garage separation in par. (a) 1. are examples of ¾ hour wall construction.
SPS 321.08(1)(a)1.1. The walls and ceiling between an attached garage and any portion of the dwelling, including attic or soffit areas, shall be ¾-hour fire-resistive construction or shall be constructed as specified in any of the following:
SPS 321.08(1)(a)1.a.
a. One layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum drywall shall be used on the garage side of the separation wall or ceiling.
SPS 321.08(1)(a)1.b.
b. One layer of ½-inch gypsum drywall shall be used on each side of the separation wall or ceiling.
SPS 321.08(1)(a)1.c.
c. Two layers of ½-inch gypsum drywall shall be used on the garage side of the separation wall or ceiling.
SPS 321.08(1)(a)2.
2. For all methods listed under
subd. 1., drywall joints shall comply with one of the following:
SPS 321.08(1)(a)2.b.
b. Joints shall be fitted so that the gap is no more than 1/20-inch with joints backed by either solid wood or another layer of drywall such that the joints are staggered.
SPS 321.08 Note
Note: 1/20-inch is approximately the thickness of a U.S. dime.
SPS 321.08(1)(a)3.
3. Vertical separations between an attached garage and a dwelling shall extend from the top of a concrete or masonry foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing or fire-resistive ceiling construction.
SPS 321.08(1)(b)
(b)
Structural elements exposed in an attached garage. Beams, columns and bearing walls which are exposed to the garage and which provide support for habitable portions of the dwelling shall be protected by one of the methods specified in
par. (a) 1. a. or
c. or other ¾
hour fire-resistive protection.
SPS 321.08(1)(c)1.1. The door and frame assembly between the dwelling unit and an attached garage shall be labeled by an independent testing agency as having a minimum fire-resistive rating of 20 minutes. The test to determine the 20-minute rating is not required to include the hose stream portion of the test.
SPS 321.08 Note
Note: Acceptable tests for fire rating of door assemblies include ASTM E-152, UL 10B, and NFPA 252.
SPS 321.08(1)(c)2.
2. Only glazing allowed by the door's listing may be installed in any door required under this section.
SPS 321.08(1)(d)1.1. Access openings in fire separation walls or ceilings shall be protected in one of the following ways:
SPS 321.08(1)(d)1.a.
a. The opening is protected with a material that has a finish rating of at least 20 minutes.
SPS 321.08(1)(d)1.b.
b. The opening is protected in the same way as the wall or ceiling where the opening is located.
SPS 321.08(1)(d)2.
2. The cover or door of the access opening shall be permanently installed with hardware that will maintain it in the closed position when not in use.
SPS 321.08(2)(a)(a) General. In 2-family dwellings, dwelling units shall be separated from each other and from shared tenant spaces including attics, basements, garages, vestibules and corridors.
SPS 321.08(2)(b)
(b)
Attic separation. Dwelling units with attic space that extends over both units shall be separated in accordance with one of the following:
SPS 321.08(2)(b)1.
1. `Complete separation.' The units shall be provided with wall construction under
par. (d) that extends all the way to the underside of the roof deck.
SPS 321.08(2)(b)2.a.a. The units shall be provided with wall construction under
par. (d) that extends to the dwelling unit ceiling and ceiling construction under
par. (e).
SPS 321.08(2)(b)2.b.
b. Dwelling units using this method of separation shall provide attic draft stopping under
par. (f) that extends all the way to the underside of the roof deck above and in line with the separation wall.
SPS 321.08(2)(c)
(c) Doors. Any door installed in the dwelling unit separation shall have the door and frame assembly labeled by an independent testing agency as having a minimum fire-resistive rating of 20 minutes. The test to determine the 20-minute rating is not required to include the hose stream portion of the test.
SPS 321.08(2)(d)
(d) Walls. Walls in the dwelling unit separation shall be protected by not less than one layer of 5/
8-inch Type X gypsum wallboard or 2 layers of ½-inch gypsum wallboard or equivalent on each side of the wall with joints in compliance with
sub. (1) (a) 2.
SPS 321.08(2)(e)
(e) Floors and ceilings. A fire protective membrane of one layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum wallboard with joints in compliance with
sub. (1) (a) 2., shall be provided on the ceiling beneath the floor construction that provides the separation.
SPS 321.08(2)(f)1.1. Attic areas, mansards, overhangs and other concealed roof spaces shall be draft stopped above and in line with the separation wall.
