Floating stairways

[Liberal_in_LA]

I see these (injury waiting to happen) stairs in the fancy magazines and on design shows. Always wondered about the safety factor:



Want a floating stairway? Check building code first

FLOATING AWAY: These stairs are in high demand in sleek modern homes in Los Angeles. Just one problem: They're illegal.

In Los Angeles, code requires a handrail or wall on either side of a platform rising 30 inches or more. And yes, that includes stairs.
July 17, 2008


OH, THOSE heavenly floating stairs. They seem to levitate on their own, with no railing to mar the effect.

Modernists since Le Corbusier have dreamed of unobstructed staircases, cantilevered into space. Join enough home tours these days, and you'll see at least one.

But, dear minimalists, here's the reality: Those stairs may be cool, but they may not be legal.

A wall or a guardrail must be on both sides of a staircase to meet code, says Bob Steinbach, spokesman for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. Building codes are for the unwashed masses

The elites have their own rules.

Until someone takes a tumble.

[Inchworm]

3. lol

Well said.

And so true.

:rofl:

[RebelOne]

2. There is no way I would go up or down

those stairs if I were wearing heels. I need a hand rail.

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. Me too! I always hold onto the handrail when going down

[BarenakedLady]

5. I hope they don't have kids.

Yikes.