13 NCAC 15 .0417             ACCESS AND EGRESS

(a)  General Requirements.  Safe and adequate means of access to and egress from amusement devices shall be provided.  Such means of access and egress shall have:

(1)           protection from adjacent hazards or from falling by the use of rails, enclosures, barriers or similar means;

(2)           secure treading and supporting surface free from debris, obstruction, projections and slipping, tripping, and other hazards;

(3)           adequate clearance.

(b)  Design of Stairways, Landings and Ramps.  Stairways, landings and ramps shall be designed, constructed and maintained so as to sustain safely a live load of at least 90 pounds per square foot.

(c)  Stairways, Ramps and Platforms.  Stairways and ramps shall be at least 20 inches wide.  Stair treads shall be at least nine inches deep exclusive of nosing and the height of rise shall not exceed eight inches. Between any two levels the treads shall be of uniform depth and the risers of uniform height.  The slope of ramps shall not exceed one in four.  The open sides of stairways, ramps and platforms shall be provided with adequate protection against falling except as the safe and normal access to the device may otherwise require.

(d)  Measurement of Widths.  The width of a stairway shall be taken as the length of the treads between stringers.  The width of a doorway shall be taken as the width of the door.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 95‑111.4;

Eff. August 1, 1987;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 5, 2016.