| Item | Standard (c. 1990) | |------|---------------------| | Min. habitable room width | 7 ft (2.13 m) | | Kitchen counter run | 6 ft minimum | | Parking stall (standard) | 9 ft × 18 ft (2.7 m × 5.5 m) | | Handrail height | 34–38 inches (86–96 cm) | | Ramp slope (max) | 1:12 | | Stair riser/tread | 7" / 11" max (17.8 cm / 28 cm) |
You might ask: Why not just use the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC)?
The answer is conceptual design speed and legacy renovation. | Item | Standard (c
Modern codes are legal documents; Time Saver Standards is a design tool. When an architect needs to block out a 20-unit apartment complex in 30 minutes, they don't want to read legalese. They want a table that says: "One-bedroom: 550-700 sq ft; Two-bedroom: 800-1000 sq ft."
Furthermore, if you are rehabilitating a residential development built between 1985 and 1995, the "90 upd" PDF is the only standard that matches the existing structural bays, stair rises, and egress widths. Trying to apply 2026 codes to a 1990 building often triggers expensive "non-conforming" upgrades. You might ask: Why not just use the
Once you obtain a PDF version:
If you locate a verified copy (check academic databases like Internet Archive or university repository lending), use this workflow: What not to use it for:
What not to use it for:
The 1990 update is fascinating because it was written just as trucks began growing. It assumes a standard car stall is 8.5' x 18' (narrow by today's 9'x19' standards). It includes angled parking diagrams (30°, 45°, 60°) with back-up clearance charts.
Before diving into the PDF specifics, understanding the parent series is vital. Time Saver Standards is a handbook series originally compiled by John Hancock Callender and later expanded by Michael J. Crosbie.
While the general Time Saver Standards for Architectural Design Data covers everything from airport terminals to zoos, the Housing and Residential Development volume is hyper-focused. It isolates site planning, dwelling unit dimensions, circulation, parking ratios, daylighting angles, and neighborhood unit principles.