R 408.42149 Stairways.

Rule 2149. (1) A stairway shall be equipped with a stair railing or handrail as follows: (a) A stairway which is not more than 44 inches (112 cm) wide and which has enclosed sides shall have a handrail on the right descending side. (b) A stairway which is not more than 44 inches (112 cm) wide and which has 1 open side shall have a stair railing on the open side. (c) A stairway which is not more than 44 inches (112 cm) wide and which has 2 open sides shall have a stair railing on each side. (d) A stairway that is more than 44 inches (112 cm) wide shall have 1 handrail on each enclosed side and 1 stair rail on each open side. (e) A stairway that is 88 or more inches (224 cm) wide shall have 1 handrail on each enclosed side, 1 stair rail on each open side, and 1 intermediate stair rail located in the middle of the stairway. (2) Where a door or gate opens directly on a stairway more than 6 feet (1.8 m) in height and is used as a required means of egress, a stair landing shall be provided. The swing of the door shall not reduce the landing which leads to the stairway to less than 20 inches (51 cm) unless specified in another code.