The stair width shall have been a minimum of ___ inches.

The stair width shall have been a minimum of ___ inches.

• A. 18
• B. 22
• C. 26
• D. 28

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is safety through adequate egress width. Stairs must be wide enough to allow a person to pass safely and comfortably, with room for the handrail and normal movement. The minimum width established is twenty-two inches. This size provides sufficient clearance for typical use and helps prevent bottlenecks or contact with walls and objects while ascending or descending. A width of eighteen inches would be too narrow and does not meet the requirement. Wider widths, like twenty-six or twenty-eight inches, do satisfy the rule, but they exceed the minimum, which is why twenty-two inches is the correct minimum.

The main idea here is safety through adequate egress width. Stairs must be wide enough to allow a person to pass safely and comfortably, with room for the handrail and normal movement. The minimum width established is twenty-two inches. This size provides sufficient clearance for typical use and helps prevent bottlenecks or contact with walls and objects while ascending or descending. A width of eighteen inches would be too narrow and does not meet the requirement. Wider widths, like twenty-six or twenty-eight inches, do satisfy the rule, but they exceed the minimum, which is why twenty-two inches is the correct minimum.