Florida Home Inspector Practice Test

Visualize a basement stairway with a wall on one side, what is not a safety defect?

1. Steep stair treads

2. No handrail on the wall side

3. Poor lighting

4. Loose handrail on the open side

The correct answer is: No handrail on the wall side

In the context of a basement stairway with a wall on one side, the absence of a handrail on the wall side is not considered a safety defect because the wall itself can serve as a support structure. A handrail is typically required on open sides of stairways to provide support and prevent falls, but when a wall is present, it offers some protection and stability. In contrast, steep stair treads can increase the risk of tripping or falling, poor lighting contributes to visibility issues that make it harder to navigate the stairs safely, and a loose handrail on the open side can compromise the effectiveness of that railing as a safety feature. These factors directly impact the safety of individuals using the stairway, reinforcing the importance of having stable and appropriately designed stairways in homes.