Pennsylvania Statutes Title 53 P.S. Municipal and Quasi-Municipal Corporations § 24961. Construction of stairways

All inside stairways leading to the upper galleries of the auditorium shall be enclosed on both sides with walls of fireproof materials.  Stairs leading to the first or lower gallery must be left open on one side, in which case they must be constructed as herein provided for similar stairs leading from the entrance hall to the main floor of the auditorium, but in no case shall stairs leading to any gallery be left open on both sides.  When straight stairs return directly on themselves a landing of the full width of both flights without steps shall be provided.  Stairs turning at an angle shall have a proper landing without winders introduced at said turn.  In stairs when two side flights connect with one main flight no winders shall be introduced and the width of the main flight shall be at least equal to the aggregate width of the side flights.  Circular or winding stairs shall have proper landings introduced at convenient distances.  All enclosed staircases shall have on both sides strong hand rails firmly secured in the wall about three inches therefrom and about three feet above the stairs, but said hand rails shall not run on level platforms and landings where the same is more in length than the width of the stairs.  All staircases six feet and over in width shall be provided with a centre hand rail of hard wood or metal not less than two inches in diameter placed at a height of about three feet above the centre of the treads, and supported on wrought-iron or brass standards of sufficient strength, placed not nearer than four feet apart and securely bolted to the treads or risers or stairs or both, and at the head of each flight of stairs on each landing the post or standard shall be at least six feet in height to which the rail shall be secured.