SPS 321.04(3)(a)1.1. A flight of stairs with more than 3 risers shall be provided with at least one handrail for the full length of the flight.
SPS 321.04(3)(a)2.
2. Guards shall be provided on all open sides of stairs consisting of more than 3 risers and on all open sides of areas that are elevated more than 24 inches above the floor or exterior grade.
SPS 321.04 Note
Note: A handrail provided at 30 to 38 inches above the tread nosing meets the height requirement for a guard on a stairway.
SPS 321.04(3)(a)3.a.a. Except as provided in subd.
3. b., guards shall be constructed to prevent the through-passage of a sphere with a diameter of 4 3/8 inches, when applying a force of 4 pounds.
SPS 321.04(3)(a)3.b.
b. The triangular area formed by the tread, riser and bottom rail shall have an opening size that prevents the through-passage of a sphere with a diameter of 6 inches, when applying a force of 4 pounds.
SPS 321.04(3)(a)3.c.
c. Rope, cable, or similar materials used in guard infill shall be strung with maximum openings of 3 1/2 inches with vertical supports a maximum of 4 feet apart.
SPS 321.04 Note
Note: In some cases, the vertical supports could be simple cable stays that offer vertical support to the rope or cable span. Structural posts must be supplied to provide the rail with the minimum 200 pound load resistance, as well as to resist the tensile loads exerted by the tightened rope or cable.
SPS 321.04(3)(a)4.a.a. Handrails and guards shall be designed and constructed to withstand a 200 pound load applied in any direction.
SPS 321.04(3)(a)4.b.
b. Handrail or guard infill components, balusters and panel fillers shall withstand a horizontally applied perpendicular load of 50 pounds on any one-foot-square area.
SPS 321.04(3)(a)5.
5. Exterior handrails and guards shall be constructed of metal, decay resistant or pressure-treated wood, or shall be protected from the weather.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)1.a.a. Handrails shall be located at least 30 inches, but no more than 38 inches above the nosing of the treads, except as provided in subds.
1. b. to
d. Measurement shall be taken from the hard structural surface beneath any finish material to the top of the rail. Variations in uniformity are allowed only when a rail contacts a wall or newel post or where a turnout or volute is provided at the bottom tread.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)1.b.
b. A volute, turnout, or starting easing that does not comply with subd.
1. a. may extend over the lowest tread.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)1.d.
d. Where handrail fittings or bendings are used to provide a continuous transition between flights, or at winder treads, or from a handrail to a guard, or at the start of a flight, the height at the fittings or bendings may exceed 38 inches.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)2.
2. `Clearance.' The clearance between a handrail and the wall surface shall be at least 1 1/2 inches.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)3.a.a. Except as provided under subd.
3. b., the required handrail on winder stairs shall be placed on the side where the treads are wider.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)3.b.
b. Where all winder treads in a flight have a depth of at least 9 inches from nosing to nosing measured at a point 12 inches from the narrow end of the tread, the required handrail may be located on either side of the stairway.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)4.
4. `Projection.' Handrails and associated trim may project into the required width of stairs and landings a maximum of 4 1/2 inches on each side.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)5.
5. `Size and configuration.' Handrails shall be symmetrical about the vertical centerline to allow for equal wraparound of the thumb and fingers.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)5.a.
a. Handrails with a round or truncated round cross sectional gripping surface shall have a maximum whole diameter of 2 inches.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)5.b.
b. Handrails with a rectangular cross sectional gripping surface shall have a maximum perimeter of 6 1/4 inches with a maximum cross sectional dimension of 2 7/8 inches.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)5.c.
c. Handrails with other cross sections shall have a maximum cross sectional dimension of the gripping surface of 2 7/8 inches with a maximum linear gripping surface measurement of 6 1/4 inches and a minimum linear gripping surface of 4 inches.
SPS 321.04 Note
Note: See ch.
SPS 325 Appendix A for further information on handrail measurement.
SPS 321.04(3)(b)6.
6. `Continuity.' Handrails shall be continuous for the entire length of the stairs except in any one of the following cases:
SPS 321.04(3)(b)6.c.
c. A handrail may terminate at an intermediate wall provided the lower end of the upper rail is returned to the wall or provided with a flared end, the horizontal offset between the 2 rails is no more than 12 inches measured from the center of the rails, and both the upper and lower rails can be reached from the same tread without taking a step.
SPS 321.04(3)(c)1.a.a. All openings between floors, and open sides of landings, platforms, balconies or porches that are more than 24 inches above grade or a floor shall be protected with guards.
SPS 321.04(3)(c)1.b.
b. The requirements under subd.
1. a. apply where insect screens are the only means of enclosure or protection for a surface that is more than 24 inches above grade or a floor.
SPS 321.04(3)(c)1.c.
c. For exterior applications, the 24 inch vertical measurement shall be taken from the lowest point within 3 feet horizontally from the edge of the deck, landing, porch or similar structure.
SPS 321.04(3)(c)1.d.
d. This paragraph does not apply to window wells, egress wells, and retaining walls.
SPS 321.04(3)(c)2.
2. `Height.' Guards shall extend to at least 36 inches above the floor or to the underside of a stair handrail complying with s.
SPS 321.04 (3) (b). Measurement shall be taken from the hard structural surface beneath any finish material to the top of the guard.
SPS 321.04(3)(c)3.
3. `Opening size.' Guards shall be constructed to prevent the through-passage of a sphere with a diameter of 4 3/8 inches, when applying a force of 4 pounds.
SPS 321.04(4)(a)1.1. A level intermediate landing shall be provided in any stairway with a height of 12 feet or more.
SPS 321.04(4)(a)2.
2. Intermediate landings that connect 2 or more straight flights of stairs, or 2 flights of stairs at a right angle, shall be at least as wide as the treads and shall measure at least 36 inches in the direction of travel.
SPS 321.04(4)(a)3.
3. Curved or irregular landing shall have a radius of at least 36 inches.
SPS 321.04(4)(a)4.
4. Curved or irregular landings shall have a minimum straight line measurement of 26 inches between the nosing of the 2 connecting treads measured at a point 18 inches from the narrow end of the landing measured along the nosing of the 2 treads.
SPS 321.04(4)(b)
(b) Landings at the top and base of stairs. A level landing shall be provided at the top and base of every stairs except as provided in par.
(d). The landing shall be at least as wide as the treads and shall measure at least 3 feet in the direction of travel.
SPS 321.04(4)(c)
(c) Doors at landings. Except as provided in subds.
1. to
3. and par.
(d), level landings shall be provided on each side of any door located at the top or base of a stair, regardless of the direction of swing. In the following exceptions, a stairway between a dwelling and an attached garage, carport or porch is considered to be an interior stair:
SPS 321.04(4)(c)1.
1. A landing is not required between the door and the top of interior stairs if the door does not swing over the stairs.
SPS 321.04(4)(c)2.
2. A landing is not required between the door and the top of an interior stairs of 1 or 2 risers regardless of the direction of swing.
SPS 321.04(4)(c)3.
3. A landing is not required between a sliding glass door or an in-swinging glass door and the top of an exterior stairway of 3 or fewer risers.
SPS 321.04(4)(d)1.1. The exterior landing, platform, or sidewalk at an exterior doorway shall be located a maximum of 8 inches below the interior floor elevation, be sloped away from the doorway at a minimal rate that ensures drainage, and have a length of at least 36 inches in the direction of travel out of the dwelling.
SPS 321.04(4)(d)2.
2. The landing at the base of an exterior stair shall be sloped away from the stair at a minimal rate that ensures drainage.
SPS 321.04 History
History: Cr.
Register, November, 1979, No. 287, eff. 6-1-80; r. and recr.
Register, February, 1985, No. 350, eff. 3-1-85; am. (intro.), r. and recr. (1) (c), renum. (3) (f) to Comm 21.042,
Register, January, 1989, No. 397, eff. 2-1-89; r. and recr. (intro.) and (3) (c), am. (1) (a), (2) (a) and (c) 2. and (3) (a), cr. (2) (c) 6., March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; r. and recr.,
Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; am. (1) (c) 1. and (d), renum. (2) (intro.) to (b) to be (2) (a) to (c) and am. (a), r. (2) (b) (intro.),
Register, February, 1997, No. 494, eff. 3-1-97; reprinted to restore dropped copy,
Register, March, 1997, No. 495; r. (1), renum. (intro.) to be (1) and am., renum. (2) and (3) to be (3) and (4), cr. (2) and r. and recr. (4) (a),
Register, March, 2001, No. 543, eff. 4-1-01;
CR 02-077: am. (2) (b) 1., (e) 1. and (3) (a), cr. (2) (f) and (3) (c) 3., r. and recr. (3) (b) 3., renum. (4) (c) to be (4) (c) 1. (intro.), a. to c. and 2. and am. (4) (c) 1. (intro.) and 2.
Register May 2003, No. 569, eff. 8-1-03;
CR 03-097: am. (2) (f), (3) (a) 3., and (c) 3.
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 1-1-05;
CR 08-043: r. and recr. (1), am. (2) (c) 2., 3. b. and (e) 1., cr. (2) (c) 3. c., 4. c., (g), (3) (a) 3. c., 4. b., c., (c) 1. b. and c., renum. (3) (a) 4. and (c) 1. to be (3) (a) 4. a. and (c) 1. a.
Register March 2009 No. 639, eff. 4-1-09;
CR 15-041: am. (1) (a) 2., (2) (a) 1., (c) 4. a., b., (3) (title), (a) 1. to 5., renum. (3) (b) 1. to (3) (b) 1. a. and am., cr. (3) (b) 1. b. to d., am. (3) (b) 3. a., b., (c) (title), 1. a., cr. (3) (c) 1. d., am. (3) (c) 2., 3., (4) (a) 2., (b), renum. (4) (c) 1. to (c) and am. (intro.) and 3., renum. (4) (c) 2. to (4) (d) 1. and am., cr. (4) (d) (title), 2.
Register December 2015 No. 720, eff. 1-1-16;
CR 15-041: am. (4) (c) 3. (omitted
Register December 2015 No. 720)
Register January 2016 No. 721.
SPS 321.042
SPS 321.042 Ladders. Ladders which are used as part of a required exit shall conform to this section.
SPS 321.042(1)
(1)
Design load. Ladders shall be designed to withstand loads of at least 200 pounds.
SPS 321.042(2)(a)(a) Minimum tread requirements shall be specified in Table 321.042. Treads less than 9 inches in width shall have open risers. All treads shall be uniform in dimension.
-
See PDF for table 
SPS 321.042(2)(b)
(b) Rungs may only be used for ladders with a pitch range of 75
° to 90
°. Rungs shall be at least 1 inch in diameter for metal ladders and 1 1/2 inch for wood ladders. All rungs shall be uniform in dimension.
SPS 321.042(3)
(3)
Risers. Risers shall be uniform in height and shall conform with Table 321.042.
SPS 321.042(4)
(4)
Width. The width of the ladder shall be a minimum of 20 inches wide and a maximum of 30 inches wide.
SPS 321.042(5)(a)(a) Handrails shall be required for ladders with pitches less than 65
°.
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 1
½ 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)1.1. 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 3/8 inches when applying a force of 4 pounds, except as provided in subd.
2. SPS 321.045(4)(c)2.
2. This paragraph does not apply to ramps having a walking surface that is less than 24 inches above adjacent grade, if a toe-kick or side rail is provided to 4 inches above the walking surface, and a mid-rail is provided between the toe-kick or side rail and the handrail.
SPS 321.045(4)(d)
(d) The clear space between the handrail and any adjoining wall shall be at least 1
½ inches.
