Adding roof deck and stair to brownstone

The fact that spiral staircases take up little floor space is their biggest disadvantage. Almost certainly, they’re going to be steeper than regular stairs; therefore, they are difficult for some people to use, especially the elderly.

Although they’re common these days, you need to be sure that spiral staircases meet the building codes in your area, especially if you’re going for a custom build on the staircase. Regulations cover them, and you need to be sure you comply with the rules.

Choose from appropriate designs and materials that will endure well. Spending on pre-assembled stairs instead of having them custom built can end up increasing the costing.

DCON Renovations & Remodeling , Brooklyn

jkdarling007

in Renovation 8 years and 6 months ago

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bowl-of-dicks | 8 years and 7 months ago

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Hi brownstoners
I’m considering making an offer on a top floor apartment of a brownstone that comes with roof rights. the previous owner got approval from the co-op board (and apparently Landmarks, but I’m not 100% on that) to add an internal stair, new bulkhead, and to finish the roof. The realtor is suggesting a prefabricated spiral stair through an existing skylight.
Has anyone done something like this? What was the process and approximate cost?
Thanks!

deanbh | 8 years and 7 months ago

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Dont do the spiral stairs…..it will always be a compromise and a pain to get things out to your roof deck.

We used Edgar Espinosa to build our internal stairs between the 3rd and 4th floor in our brownstone (espinosa_edgar@hotmail.com 646-932-0515)

It will probably require beefing up support from party wall to party wall but long after the job is finished you’ll be happier eg we are always carrying cushions/BBQ equipment/drinks etc out to our deck and if we had to use spiral stairs would be a PITA.

Cheers,
Dean

slopegirl | 8 years and 7 months ago

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I have also seen a ladder that’s super beefy and almost like steep stairs that I would consider above a spiral stair if you don’t have the space (or money) for full set of stairs like Dean suggested above. The steep stairs/beefy ladder option would presumably be cheapest of all three choices.

wzapuhtxphyl | 8 years and 7 months ago

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Just had a bulkhead built with a staircase leading up to it in my brownstone as part of a gut renovation. It’s been quite an adventure. I had all the plans drawn up by an architect and submitted to the DOB. First I received a bogus anonymous complaint regarding the bulkhead being illegally built (probably nosy neighbor across the way whose view was affected). I waited weeks for the DOB to come inspect the thing and clear that violation. Finally got it cleared and continued on our way.

Then I don’t know if it was bad luck but I got an independent audit from the DOB. The inspector came in and was all over the bulkhead and the stairs. Even though the first guy had cleared us this guy was way more thorough. He wanted to see all the plans for the stairs and bulkhead and wanted to know exactly how it was built down to the studs and what materials were used. He explained it was for our own safety which I understood.

He also looked at the railings we put up at the front and back of the roof and deemed it against code. Apparently, we need a 6ft opening on both sides for fire dept access (I get it for the fire dept but how is that supposed to make it safer for people?). Still trying to figure out what the rule is for that. He stated he would recommend me putting up railings on the sides too even though it wasn’t code. Also stated if I was building a deck only certain materials could be used again for fire reasons. I guess my architect or contractors should’ve known the code but that’s another violation that needs to be cleared up.

Maybe I was bad luck but moral of the story is building access to the roof wasn’t as easy as I thought. Get some guys who have experience and know the code. Maybe simplify and use the metal ladder and hatch to get up there. Good luck.

wzapuhtxphyl | 8 years and 7 months ago

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Oh yeah my last post was long enough but support for the deck is whole other story lol.

resident2 | 8 years and 7 months ago

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If the previous owner did get “approved plans” from Landmarks and the co-op board; then ask for a copy to see what specifically was proposed and ask a contractor to give a quote for the job.
Depending on how old the plans are; they may well need to be amended to today’s code and the co-op board may have some additional issues etc.

bk123 | 8 years and 7 months ago

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the fire dept access space does not mean a break in the railing, just that no roof top equip is in that space…an aisle 6′ wide front to back. (I have had plans appd by FDNY in this manner)

patrickburnsjr | 8 years and 7 months ago

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Interior staircase from apartment to roof (and bulkhead)must be filed after spec’ed-out by a structural engineer or architect before stairs-contractor performs work…spiral is fine with a 30″ step size equaling a diameter of 60″,and subsequently taking up the least amount of space….otherwise yes, a beefy steeper-pitched Ship’s Ladder style stairs…could even put a “dogleg” turn in it…and do forget about a previous posted comment about not having enough clearance carrying a BBQ up a spiral…BBQ’s are totally illegal on a roof deck.

agdipierro

in Renovation 8 years and 7 months ago

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Sounds like over 100K in work