In summary free access to the roof from the stairwell is not required by the ibc or nfpa 101 but may be required or preferred by the local code official.
Ibc roof access.
Access to setback roof areas may be through a door or window opening to the roof.
The international code council icc is a non profit organization dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design build and compliance process.
In buildings without an occupied roof access to the roof shall be permitted to be a roof hatch or trap door not less than 16 square feet 1 5 m 2 in area and having a minimum dimension of 2 feet 610 mm.
Where the roof hatch opening providing the required access is located within 10 feet 3049 mm of the roof edge such roof access or roof edge shall be protected by guards installed in accordance with the provisions of section 1013.
Nystrom understands building and accessibility codes for roof hatches.
The guard shall be constructed as to prevent the passage of a sphere 21 inches 53 3cm in diameter.
The international codes i codes are the widely accepted comprehensive set of model codes used in the us and abroad to help ensure the engineering of safe sustainable affordable and resilient structures.