Wisconsin Legislature: SPS 321.042(2)(a)

a. A handrail may be discontinuous at an intermediate landing.

b. A handrail may have newel posts.

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.

1. ‘Application.’

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.

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.

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.

d. This paragraph does not apply to window wells, egress wells, and retaining walls.

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.

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.

(4) Landings.

(a) Intermediate landings.

1. A level intermediate landing shall be provided in any stairway with a height of 12 feet or more.

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.

3. Curved or irregular landing shall have a radius of at least 36 inches.

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.

(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.

(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:

1. A landing is not required between the door and the top of interior stairs if the door does not swing over the stairs.

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.

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.

(d) Exterior landings.

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.

2. The landing at the base of an exterior stair shall be sloped away from the stair at a minimal rate that ensures drainage.

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 Ladders. Ladders which are used as part of a required exit shall conform to this section.

(1) Design load. Ladders shall be designed to withstand loads of at least 200 pounds.

(2) Tread or rungs.

(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

(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.

(3) Risers. Risers shall be uniform in height and shall conform with Table 321.042.

(4) Width. The width of the ladder shall be a minimum of 20 inches wide and a maximum of 30 inches wide.

(5) Handrails.

(a) Handrails shall be required for ladders with pitches less than 65°.

(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.

(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.

(d) The clearance between the handrail and the wall surface shall be at least 1½ inches.

(e) Handrails shall be designed and constructed to withstand a 200 pound load applied in any direction.

(6) Clearances.

(a) The ladder shall have a minimum clearance of at least 15 inches on either side of the center of the tread.

(b) The edge of the tread nearest to the wall behind the ladder shall be separated from the wall by at least 7 inches.

(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.

(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.

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 Ramps.

(1) General. Every exterior or interior ramp which leads to or from an exit shall comply with the requirements of this section.

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.

(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.

(3) Surface and width. Ramps shall have a slip resistant surface and shall have a minimum width of 36 inches measured between handrails.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(c)

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.

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.

(d) The clear space between the handrail and any adjoining wall shall be at least 1½ inches.

(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.

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; CR 15-041: renum. (4) (c) to (4) (c) 1. and am., cr. (4) (c) 2. Register December 2015 No. 720, eff. 1-1-16.

SPS 321.05 Natural light and natural ventilation.

(1) Natural light. Each habitable room 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:

(a) Exception. Habitable rooms, other than bedrooms, located in basements, ground floors or above garages do not require natural light.

(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.

(1m) Net floor area. For the purposes of subs. (1) and (2), “net floor area” does not include any area with a ceiling height of less than 5 feet.

(2) Ventilation.

(a) Natural ventilation.

1. Natural ventilation shall be provided to each habitable room 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, except as provided in subd. 2. 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.

2. Any area with a ceiling height of less than 5 feet may be excluded from the net floor area.

(b) Exhaust ventilation. All exhaust ventilation shall terminate outside the building.

(3) Safety glass.

(am) Except as provided in par. (bm), glazing shall consist of safety glass meeting the requirements of either 16 CFR Part 1201 or ANSI Z97.1 when installed in any of the following locations:

1. In any sidelight or glazing adjacent to a door, that meets all of the following:

a. The nearest point of the glazing is within 2 feet of the door when the door is in the closed position.

b. The nearest point of the glazing is within 5 feet of the floor.

c. The plane of the glazing is within 30 degrees of the plane of the door when the door is in the closed position.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Within 4 feet vertically of the floor and 3 feet horizontally of the nosing of the top or bottom tread of a stair.

5. In guard assemblies.

(bm) Safety glass is not required where glazing meets any of the following:

1. The size of an individual pane of glass is 8 inches or less in the least dimension.

2. The safety glass is required by sub. (3) (am) 1. and the only door within 2 feet of the glazing is the fixed panel of a patio door.

3. The safety glass is required by sub. (3) (am) 1. and there is an intervening wall or other permanent barrier between the door and the glazing.

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.

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.

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; CR 15-041: am. (1) (intro.), cr. (1m), renum. (2) (a) to (2) (a) 1. and am., cr. (2) (a) 2., renum. (3) (intro.) and (a) to (d) to (3) (am) (intro.) and 1. to 4. and am. (am) (intro.), 1. (intro.), a., cr. (3) (am) 5., renum. (3) (e) to (3) (bm) (intro.) and am., cr. (3) (bm) 1. to 3. Register December 2015 No. 720, eff. 1-1-16; CR 15-089: am. (1) (a) Register May 2016 No. 725, eff. 6-1-16.

SPS 321.06 Ceiling height. All habitable rooms, kitchens, hallways, bathrooms and corridors shall have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet, except as follows:

(1)