Topics

Definition, functions and functional requirements of stair Stair terminology Types of stair

Lecture 8: Stairs Design

Stair design pursuant to UBBL 1984

References
Chudley, R. and Greeno, R., Construction Technology Part 7.4 Timber Stairs Chudley, R. and Greeno, R., Building Construction Handbook Part 6 Internal Construction and Finishes

Stages of building construction

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
3

Preliminary works including site exploration, soil investigation, excavation and setting out Foundations or footings including ground beams and column stumps Ground floors Frames (columns & beams) and upper floors Stairs Walls and internal partitions with door and window frames in position Roofing
4

 For access between

floors

and

different levels in buildings, a ladder, stair or ramp is used.

Lifts
Lecture 8: Stairs Design Definition, Functions & Functional Requirements of Stair

escalators are also used for vertical circulation.

and

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Part VI Constructional Requirements

By-law 124: Lifts For all non-residential

Building services for vertical circulation

Lift Escalator

buildings exceeding 4-storeys above or below the main access level, at least one lift shall be provided.
For all residential

buildings exceeding 5storeys above or below the main access level, at least one lift shall be provided.
7 8

1. Ramps
How to differentiate among ladders, stairs and
A

ramps?

surface sloping uniformly as plane linking different levels.

an inclined

Constructed at a slope of at least The pitch of

1 in 20.

ramps varies between 0 to 20.

it

Because of

shallow slope, occupies a considerable area.

the comparatively

10

1. Ramps
Must be

considered early in design process so that enough room is allowed. relatively easy and safe access wheelchairs and pushchairs. less daunting difficulties.
to people with for

Ramps

It allows

May be

mobility

11

12

2. Ladders
Made as a series of

2. Ladders
Should only be

narrow horizontal steps fixed between two uprights of wood or metal, on which a person
usually ascends (climbs up) or down) facing it.

descends

used for access enough space.

where there is

not

(climbs
Should be

May be fixed in an upright

vertical position

or more

fixed in position and fitted with handrails both sides.

people with mobility

usually at a slight
The pitch

angle to the vertical for ease of use.

Unsuitable for

difficulties.

of ladders varies between 75 to 90.

13 14

Ladders

Cat ladder

15

16

3. Stairs
A set of steps constructed to pass to another The pitch of stairs varies between 20

Stairs
level.

to 75. May be formed as a straight flight of steps. More usually formed as two or more flights of steps. Two flights help to limit the number of steps in each flight for a safer stairway. It occupies a considerable space in small houses. Access for wheelchair users and less mobile persons may be facilitated with stair lifts fixed to the side.
17

18

Stair lifts

19

20

Storage staircase
The primary function of a stair is: To allow vertical movement safely from one level

Spiral staircase with slide

to another.
Other functions of any stairway are: To provide a suitable means of escape in event of

fire. To provide a degree of sound insulation.

Other functions of stair ???
21 22

Bookcase stair

The functional requirements of any stair include: Strength Stability Durability Sound insulation Fire resistance Aesthetics Safety in use

It is an alternating step design that rises twice as steeply as conventional stairs, turned into an extraordinary library staircase.
23

How to design and construct a staircase to meet these functional requirements ???
24

Aesthetics of stairs No rails concept

Floating Stair by Jordi Vayreda Beautiful or Dangerous ???

25

26

Steep vs. shallow stairs

Lecture 8: Stairs Design Stair Terminology

27

28

 Stair
A number of steps leading from one level to

Tread
The horizontal surface of a step on which the foot is

another. Staircase The complete assembly of flights, landings and balustrades in a single stair. Stairwell/stairway The space in which the stairs and landing are housed.

29

placed. Riser The vertical or near vertical surface of a step between the two consecutive treads. Nosing Projection of tread beyond the face of the riser to provide as wide as surface of tread as practicable. Going The horizontal distance between two consecutive risers. Rise The vertical height between two consecutive treads. 30

Step
Riser plus tread. May be constructed as open

31

riser/tread stair or enclosed steps. Flight A series of steps without a landing. Landing Platform between two flights. The level space that breaks up the vertical incline of a flight of stairs.

32

 Enclosed steps
A stair which is constructed with a vertical face,

Pitch
Angle of inclination of the stair to the horizontal. Domestic stairs are pitched at not more than 42.

i.e. riser between the treads. Open riser/tread stair A stair which is constructed with horizontal treads with a space between the treads.

Pitch line
A line connecting the nosings of all treads in any one

flight.
Also known as line of nosings.

33

34

Strings
The side support for a flight of steps. Called wall or outer strings according to their position.

Newel post
Post forming the junction of flights of stairs with landings

or carrying the lower end of strings. Handrail Protecting member usually parallel to the string and spanning between newel post. Either fixed to a wall or supported on a balustrade. Baluster The vertical infill member between a string and handrail. Balustrade The protection erected on the outer edge of a staircase to 35 prevent anything or anyone falling off the edge.

36

Handrail Balustrade = Handrail + Baluster + Newel post + Outer string Newel post

Exercise: Identify the stair terminology.

Baluster Outer string

Wall string

37

38

Exercise: Identify the stair terminology.

A: B: C: D: E: F: G: Handrail Newel post Baluster Outer string Rise Nosing Going H: I: J: K: L: M: Riser Tread Wall string Flight Landing Balustrade

Lecture 8: Stairs Design Types of Stair

39

40

10

 If the flight changes direction between levels,

There are

in which stairs with parallel treads are planned: -

3 basic ways

then need to provide a landing.

The degree of change in direction determines the size of the landing: A

Straight flight stair Quarter turn stair Half turn stair

A straight flight of stair is the most

90 turn needs a quarter-space landing A 180 turn needs a half-space landing economise space required to accommodate the

simple layout.

Stair incorporating landings to

with the stairs.

41

42

1. Straight flight stair

A stair rises from f loor to f loor in one direction with or without an

2. Quarter turn stair

A stair rises to a landing

intermediate landing.
The most economical use of stair.

between two floors, turns through

90, and then rises to the f loor above.

Offering great economy in compact planning. The landing is described as a quarter space or quarter

Staircase layout plan

turn landing.
The quarter space or quarter turn landing was often replaced with

winders for further economy in the use of space.

43 44

11

2. Quarter turn stair

Staircase layout plan

3. Half turn stair

A stair rises to a landing between f loors,

and then

rises parallel

to the

turns through 180, lower flight to the floor

above.
The landing is described as a half Often described as a dog

space or half turn landing.

leg stair because it looks somewhat like

the hind leg of a dog.

The most common

arrangement of stairs.
46

45

4. Open well stairs 3. Half turn stair

Staircase layout plan
Stairs are sometimes described as open

well stairs,

which refers to a

space or well between the flights.

As the term open

well does not describe the arrangement of the flights of steps in a stair, it should only be used in conjunction with the
more precise description straight f light, quarter or half turn stair.

E.g. half A

turn stair with open well, quarter turn stair with open well.

half turn or dog leg stair can be arranged with no space between the flights or with a space or well between them. quarter turn
stair can also be

A
47

arranged

with a

space

or well
48

between the flights.

12

4. Open well half vs. quarter turn stairs

5. Tapered steps
Tapered steps or winders were frequently used by designers to economise on space. Do not need a landing and use less space. More dangerous
makes walking difficult. to use because the reduction in the inner edge

Staircase layout plans

Not recommended for use in means of escape stairs or

stairs in public buildings.

49

50

5. Tapered steps

5. Tapered steps

Staircase layout plans

51

52

13

5. Tapered steps
Disadvantages of tapered steps are: Hazard to the aged and very young because of the very small

6. Geometrical stairs
Constructed with treads that are tapered on plan.
With the

Staircase layout plans

tread length at or near the newel post.

Difficult to carpet, requiring many folds or wasteful cutting. Difficult to negotiate with furniture due to a rapid

tapered treads around a centre support. two types of geometrical stairs

available.

rise

on the

There are

turn.
Difficult and expensive to construct.
53

54

6A. Spiral stair (a.k.a. helical stair)

With the treads tapering to a central The most economical

vertical support.

6A. Spiral stair (a.k.a. helical stair)

way of planning a stair. It takes up little floor area. It is difficult to use and may be dangerous to young children and people with limited mobility. Used where space is limited for access to an intermediate f loor of one room.

55

56

14

6B. Elliptical stair (a.k.a. open well circular stair)

Constructed around a generous open

7. Open riser/tread stair

A stair which is constructed with

well with the treads

taper towards the well. Extravagant in the use of space. Used as a feature for grand means of access in large buildings.

having a shallow

horizontal treads with space between them.

Consists

of strings with treads and no risers.

Should

stairs

not be used when provide disabled

access.
57 58

7A. Closed string

Treads are tightly housed into the strings which are tied together with long steel tie bars under the first, last and every fourth tread. Nuts and washers can be housed into the strings and covered with timber inserts. Various materials and forms of construction are used for open riser/tread stairs.
59 60

15

7B. Cut string 7A. Closed string

Used to

support cantilever

treads.
Upper end of the carriage can be housed into the stairwell trimming member with possible additional support from metal brackets. Foot of the carriage is housed in a purpose made metal shoe or fixed with metal angle brackets.
61 62

7B. Cut string

63

64

16

7C. Mono-carriage
Employs a single central

carriage with double cantilever treads.

7C. Mono-carriage

Often of a

tapered section to reduce the apparent bulky appearance.

Foot of the carriage is secured with a purpose made metal shoe in conjunction with timber connectors.

65

66

7D. Alternating tread stairs

Have a pitch

of about 60 and paddle-shaped treads. Make economic use of space. Frequently applied to loft (attic) conversions.
Additional requirements: -

loft or attic is an upper storey in a building, directly under the roof. mezzanine or entresol is an intermediate floor between main floors of a building, and therefore typically not counted among the overall floors of a
building.

Non-slip surface Handrails both sides Minimum going of 220mm Maximum rise of 220mm

A gap between treads of no

more than 100mm

Often, a

mezzanine is lowceilinged and projects in the form of a balcony.

68

67

17

7D. Alternating tread stairs

69

70

Case study: Staircase for long house

Exercise: Identify the following types of stair.

Stair that lead to long house in Sarawak, it has been carved from one log only. It is so functional and simple.

71

72

18

Architectural drawings: stair layout plan & section details

Stairs are shown on the floor plans with basic widths and

Architectural drawings: stair layout plan & section details

The

number of treads and risers.

The

enlarged plan of a stairway shows the dimensions of the landings, the widths and the run of each stair, risers, treads and other details.

plan also shows the run with an arrow indicating whether the stairs go up or down from that level. separate enlarged plan is also prepared for the stairway and cross-referenced to the f loor plans.

Stair sections are often drawn to detailed out the

construction and finish components, which are not

shown in plan views.

Stair sections will show the stair rise and going,

handrails and other details, cross-referenced to the plan view.

73 74

Floor plans

Stair layout plans

75

76

19

Stair layout plans

Stair layout plans

77

78

Stair section details

Stair section details

79

80

20

Stair section details

Stair section details

81

82

1.

By-law 106: Dimensions of staircases In any staircase, the rise of any staircase shall be not more than 180mm and the tread shall be not less than 255mm and the dimensions of the rise and the tread of the staircase so chosen shall be uniform and consistent throughout. 168.
of

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Part VI Constructional Requirements

Lecture 8: Stairs Design Stair Design Pursuant to UBBL 1984

2. The widths of staircase shall be in accordance with by-law 3. The depths of landings shall be not

less than the width

the

staircases.
83 84

21

Dimensions of steps

Landing depth vs. Stair width

85

Depth of landing must be at least width of stair

86

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Part VI Fire Requirements

By-law 168: Staircases
1.

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Part VI Fire Requirements

By-law 168: Staircases (Cont) 3. The required width of a staircase shall be the clear width between walls but handrails may be permitted to encroach on this width to a maximum of 75mm.
4.

Except as provided for in by-law 194, means of egress via at least

every upper floor shall have two separate staircases.

2.

Staircases shall be of such width that in the event of any one staircase not being available for escape purposes, the remaining staircases shall accommodate the highest occupancy load of any one f loor discharging into it
calculated in accordance with provisions in the Seventh schedule to these By-laws.

required width of a staircase shall throughout its length including at landings.

The giving

be

maintained

5. Doors

to staircases shall be so positioned that point encroach on the required width of the staircase or landing. their swing shall at no
88

access

87

22

89

90

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Part VI Constructional Requirements

By-law 107: Handrails (1) Except for staircases of less than 4 risers, shall be provided with at least one handrail.
(2) all staircases

Handrails for stairway

Staircases exceeding 2225mm in width shall be provided with intermediate handrail for each 2225mm of required width spaced approximately equally.
In building other

Less than 1.1 m

825 mm to 900 mm

Greater than 1.1 m

Greater than 2.225 m

(3)

than residential buildings, a handrail shall be provided on each side of the staircase when the width of the staircase 1100mm or more.
91

Stairs less than 1.1 m require only one handrail

Stairs greater than 1.1 m require a handrail at each side

Stairs of width greater than 2.225 m must be divided by a handrail 92

23

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Part VI Constructional Requirements

By-law 107: Handrails (Cont)
(4) All handrails shall project not more than 100mm from the

Handrails for stairway

Max. 100mm

face of the finished wall surface.

Shall be located not less than 825mm and not more than 900mm measured from the nosing of the treads provided that handrails to landing shall not be less than 900mm from the level of the landing.
93 94

Not less than 900mm 825 900mm

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Part VI Constructional Requirements

By-law 108: Maximum flights (1) In residential buildings, a landing of not less than 1.80m in depth shall be provided in staircases at vertical intervals of not more than 4.25m and in staircases in all other buildings there shall be not more than sixteen risers between each such landing.
(2) No

Maximum flights
Vertical interval not more than 4.25m

part in any flight

of any staircase shall have less

than two

risers.
Riser not more than 16 Landing not less than 1.8m depth
95 96

24

 Headroom means the clear vertical distance between the finished floor level and the soffit of the lowest projecting member or surface above that point.
A minimum

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Part VI Constructional Requirements

By-law 109: Winders

headroom of 2m measured vertically is line of stair and the underside of stairs, landings, and floors above the stair.
recommended between the pitch

spiral staircases may be permitted as a secondary staircase in buildings where the topmost floor does not exceed 12.2m in height. (Assume:- One floor is 3.00m (h)); (12.2m/ 3.0m = 4 storey height)
(1) Subject to the provisions of Part VII and VIII of these By-laws, (2) Winding staircase may be permitted where they are not

used as

a required means of egress.

97

98

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Part VI Constructional Requirements

By-law 110: No obstruction in staircases

no obstruction in any staircase between the topmost landing thereof and the exit discharge on the ground floor.
(1) There shall be (2) There shall be no projection, other than handrails in staircases, in any corridor, passage or staircase at a level lower than 2m above the f loor or above any stair. By-law 111: Lighting and ventilation of staircases All staircases shall be properly lighted and to the requirements of the local authority.

ventilated according

99

100

25

Design calculations of stair

Stair is often designed by trial and error. To set out a stair, it is necessary to select a suitable

Number of treads & risers

rise
and adjust it, if

necessary.
Then select a

suitable going.

Before standards were set for the rise and going of steps, it was practice to

determine the convenience of steps from the simple formula: -

2 Rises + 1 Going = between 550 and 700mm

It is important to note that in any one flight, there will

be one more
101 102

riser than treads. Since the last tread is in fact the landing.

Example
The floor height of a building is 2750mm and the

Solution
1. Divide the floor height by the rise to find the number of risers: 2750/180 = 15.28 risers

depth of the stairwell is 3900mm.

Recommend the total

number of steps to the stair.

Calculate the dimensions of steps and landing (if

required) to the stair.

Consider 16 risers 2. Find the exact rise by dividing the floor height with the number of risers: 2750/16 = 172mm 3. Find the going to suit the stairwell depth: 3900/15 = 260mm
103 104

26

Solution (cont)
4. Use the formula 2 Risers + 1 Going to see if this design is comfortable: (2 x 172) + 260 = 604mm 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Exercise
The floor height of a building is 2600mm and the depth of the stairwell is 3600m. Recommend the total number of steps to the stair. Calculate the dimensions of steps and landing (if required) to the stair.

i.e. between 550 and 700mm Does the design come within the allowable limits? If YES, use staircase with 16 risers and 15 treads with 172mm rise and 260mm going. If NO, repeat from step 2 with 15 risers. If this still does not fit, increase the stairwell depth and repeat from step 3. Only 16 risers, hence no need to provide landing. 105

106

Solution
1. Total number of steps required: -

Solution (cont)
3. Simple checking: -

UBBL 1984: Rise not more than 180mm 2600/180 = 14.44 risers Consider 15 risers, hence 14 treads There will be one more riser than treads 2. Dimensions of steps: 2600/15 risers = 173mm for risers 3600/14 treads = 257mm for treads

107

2 (173) + 257 = 603mm 2 Rises + 1 Going = within 550 to 700 mm 4. Only 15 risers, hence no need to provide landing. Maximum number of risers in any flight is 16, after which a landing must be provided.

108

27

Any questions ???

109

28