Final answer:
For stairs with a total rise of 30 inches or less, there is no limit on the size of the open riser as per building codes, which ensure the safety of stair designs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the building code requirements for stair design, specifically regarding open risers. According to the International Residential Code (IRC), for stairs with a total rise of 30 inches or less, there is no limitation on the size of the open riser. When the total rise is higher, open risers must meet certain size restrictions to prevent a user's foot from slipping through the opening or a small child from getting their head stuck between the stairs. It's essential for safety in stair design to adhere to these code requirements.
In construction, when talking about stairs, the term 'rise' refers to the height between consecutive steps. The open riser is the space between treads that allows you to see through the stairs. According to the given statement, on stairs with a total rise of a certain number of inches or less, the size of the open riser is not limited. This means that on stairs meeting this criterion, the size of the open riser can be larger without any restriction.