Expert: Mike Fortunato - 1/25/2012

Question
Hi- I am having a stairwell painted in a 37 story office building in Pennsylvania.  What are my requirements per fire code?  ex. Do I need exit doors to have the floor number painted on them?  Also, ADA laws for stairwells in regards to painting only?

Thanks in advance for any help...

Answer
As codes vary from region to region, you need to check with the building department in the city where the property is located. You'll probably have signage requirements, and possibly non-skid surface for the stair treads as requirements, and possibly other things. ADA probably doesn't have much of a factor since a stairwell isn't an ADA compatible pathway anyway (I presume you have elevators in the building).