AWI and SMA release ANSI-approved stair standard

The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) and the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association (SMA) announce the release of ANSI/AWI SMA 0643-2021 Wood Stair, Handrail, and Guard Systems Standard which was approved on Mar. 1 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The standard is vailable online for free access at www.awinet.org and www.stairways.org and will take effect Aug. 15.

ANSI/AWI SMA 0643 supersedes, replaces, and supplants Section 7 of Architectural Woodwork Standards, Edition 2 (2014) as the most current version of the AWI Standard for wood stair, handrail and guard systems. It is the first standard of its kind for SMA.

ANSI/AWI SMA 0643-2021 provides standards and tolerances for the quality fabrication and field installation of wood stair, handrail, and guard systems, that are comprised of: stairs, which encompass stringers, risers, treads and landings; handrails; and guard systems, which are part of the assembly of stairway components. Further, it addresses common guard infill systems of glass and metal, and establishes minimum aesthetic tolerances and performance requirements intended to provide a well-defined degree of control over a project's quality of materials, workmanship, and/or fabrication.