§ 12½-21. Structural condition.
The dwelling unit shall be structurally sound so as not to pose any threat to the health and safety of the occupants and to protect them from the environment.
(1)
Exterior structural condition.
(a)
Every foundation shall adequately support the building at all points, be maintained in a workmanlike state of maintenance and repair, and exclude rodents.
(b)
The roof structure shall be firm and weathertight.
(c)
The exterior wall structure and wall surface shall not have any serious defects such as: Buckling, serious leaning, sagging, cracks or holes, loose siding, or other serious damage. Painting will be required where paint is peeling or sluffing and wood is exposed.
(2)
Interior structural condition.
(a)
The dwelling unit must be free of severe bulging; leaning; large holes; loose surface materials; noticeable movement under walking stress; severe buckling; missing parts; or other serious damage in ceilings, walls or floors.
(b)
Floors should be capable of supporting normal loads.
(c)
Inside and outside stairways, halls, porches, and walkways shall present no danger of tripping or falling. (No loose board, broken concrete, broken railings, etc.).
(d)
Elevators shall be maintained in safe and operating conditions.
(3)
Handrails.
(a)
Handrails having minimum and maximum heights of thirty-four (34) inches and thirty-eight (38) inches (eight hundred sixty-four (864) mm and nine hundred sixty-five (965) mm), respectively, measured vertically from the nosing of the treads, shall be provided on at least one side of stairways. All required handrails shall be continuous the full length of stairs. Ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than one and one-half (1.5) inches (thirty-eight (38) mm) between the wall and the handrail.
Exceptions:
(i)
Handrails shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at a turn.
(ii)
The use of a volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed over the lowest tread.
(b)
The handgrip portion of handrails shall have a circular cross section of one and one-quarter (1¼) inches (thirty-two (32) mm) minimum to two and five-eighths (2 5/8 ) inches (sixty-seven (67) mm) maximum. Other handrail shapes that provide an equivalent grasping surface are permissible. Edges shall have a minimum radius of one-eighth ( 1/8 ) inch (three and two-tenths (3.2) mm).
(c)
Porches, balconies or raised floor surfaces located more than thirty (30) inches (seven hundred sixty-two (762) mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than thirty-six (36) inches (nine hundred fourteen (914) mm) in height. Open sides of stairs with a total rise of more than thirty (30) inches (seven hundred sixty-two (762) mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than thirty-four (34) inches (eight hundred sixty-four (864) mm) in height measured vertically from the nosing of treads.
(d)
Required guards on open sides of stairways, raised floor areas, balconies and porches shall have intermediate rails or ornamental closures that do not allow passage of a sphere four (4) inches (one hundred two (102) mm) in diameter. Required guards shall not be constructed with horizontal rails or other ornamental pattern results in a ladder effect.
Exceptions: The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail of a guard at the open side of a stairway are permitted to be of such a size that a sphere six (6) inches (one hundred fifty-two (152) mm) cannot pass through.
(Ord. No. 871, Art. X, 1-12-76; Ord. No. 1418, § I, 3-14-05)