Mobile Homes Steps and Landings Guide

Code Reference

These sections are from the North Carolina Manufactured Homes Code, 2004 Edition. They apply to decks with an area of 36 square feet or less; for larger decks, refer to Appendix M.

3.11 Egress Requirements

3.11.1 General Requirements

• Federal regulations require a minimum of two remote exterior egress doors.
• Elevation differences between egress doors and grade must be negotiated by stairs or ramps.
• Selling parties must provide egress stairs, ramps, and landings unless contracted otherwise with the homeowner.

3.11.2 Exterior Steps and Stairways

3.11.2.1 General and Footings

• Stairs and landings must be entirely self-supporting unless approved by a registered Engineer or Architect.
• Support posts must rest on a minimum 8" x 16" x 4" concrete masonry or 8" x 16" x 6" poured concrete footing.
• Footing bottoms must be below the frost line or at least 4" below grade, whichever is greater.
• Exception: Footings are not required for structures designed to be set directly on the ground.

3.11.2.3 Dimensions and Treads

• Width: Minimum 36 inches clear width. Width at/below handrail may be reduced to 32 inches (one handrail) or 28 inches (two handrails).
• Risers: Maximum height of 8-1/4 inches.
• Treads: Minimum depth of 9 inches, exclusive of nosing. Walking surfaces must have a slope no steeper than 2%.
• Consistency: The greatest riser height or tread depth within a flight cannot exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch.
• Threshold: Height from top tread/landing to door threshold cannot exceed 8-1/4 inches.

3.11.2.5 Profiles and Nosing

• Nosing: Required on stairways with solid risers (between 3/4" and 1-1/4"). Nosing is NOT required if tread depth is at least 11 inches.
• Risers: Must be vertical or sloped no more than 30 degrees from vertical.

Handrails and Guardrails

3.11.2.6 Handrails

• Required on all open sides of stairways with four or more risers (or if the uppermost riser is more than 30" above floor/grade).
• Height: Between 30 and 38 inches.
• Continuity: Must be continuous the full length of the stairs and terminate in newel posts or safety terminals.
• Grip: Handgrip must be smooth with no sharp corners and have a maximum cross-sectional dimension of 3-1/2 inches.

3.11.2.9 Guardrails

• Required for surfaces more than 30 inches above floor or grade.
• Height: Minimum 36 inches.
• Opening Limitations: Pickets/closures must prevent passage of a 6-inch diameter object.
• Picket Spacing: Maximum of 4 inches between vertical members.

Structural and Material Requirements

• Guardrails and handrails must withstand a single concentrated load of 200 lbs.
• Wood materials must be No. 2 or better treated Southern Pine or equivalent.
• Fasteners: Must be hot-dipped, zinc-coated galvanized or stainless steel.

Minimum Thickness for Stair Treads and Decking

3.11.3 Ramps and 3.11.4 Landings

• Ramps: Minimum 3 feet wide with a maximum slope of 1:8. Handrails required if slope exceeds 1:12.
• Landing Size: Minimum 3' x 3' required at the top of stairs if the egress door swings outward.
• Code Threshold: Landings over 36 square feet are considered "decks" and must follow the North Carolina Residential Code.

3.11.6 Auxiliary Structures

Porches, decks, awnings, and cabanas not provided by the home manufacturer must be entirely self-supporting unless engineered. These structures must comply with the current North Carolina Residential Code.