BRITISH STANDARD

BS 6100-1.3.4:
1989
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Glossary of

Building and civil

engineering terms
Part 1: General and miscellaneous
Section 1.3 Parts of construction
works
Subsection 1.3.4 Stairs and circulation
elements

UDC [624 + 69]:001.4

BS 6100-1.3.4:1989

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Basic Data and
Performance Criteria for Civil
Engineering and Building
Structures Standards Policy
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Board of BSI and comes
into effect on
28 February 1990
BSI 08-1999
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference BDB/3
Draft for comment 87/10875 DC
ISBN 0 580 17562 6

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No.

Date of issue

Comments

7234

August 1992

Indicated by a sideline in the margin

BS 6100-1.3.4:1989

Contents
Foreword
134 1 Base terms
134 2 Types of stair
134 3 Parts of stairs
134 4 Characteristics of stairs
134 5 Spaces for stairs
134 6 Walkways and ramps
Index

BSI 08-1999

Page
ii
1
1
1
3
3
4
5

BS 6100-1.3.4:1989

Foreword
This Subsection of Part 1 of BS 6100 has been prepared under the direction of the
Basic Data and Performance Criteria for Civil Engineering and Building
Structures Standards Policy Committee.
This Subsection replaces BS 5578-1:1978 Building construction Stairs,
Part 1, Vocabulary which has been withdrawn and which was identical with
ISO 3880-1, Building construction Stairs Vocabulary Part 1. Some of
the definitions given in this Subsection differ from those that were given in
BS 5578-1, and where this occurs the new definitions will form the basis for the
UK input for the forthcoming revision of ISO 3880-1.
A general introduction to and explanation of the glossary is given in Part 0 of
BS 6100 which itemizes the Parts, Sections and Subsections into which the
glossary is divided and provides a general alphabetical index of all the terms in
the Sections and Subsections already published.
The other Sections of this Part are as follows.
1.0 General
1.1 Types of building
1.2 Spaces
1.4 Materials
1.5 Operations; associated plant and equipment
1.6 Persons
1.7 Characteristics and performance
1.8 Environmental and physical planning
The other Subsections of this Section are as follows.
1.3.0 External works
1.3.1 Walls and cladding
1.3.2 Roofs and roofing
1.3.3 Floors and ceilings
1.3.5 Doors, windows and openings
1.3.6 Jointing products, hardware and accessories
1.3.7 Finishings
1.3.8 Fittings
Terms are listed alphabetically in the index and are referred to by numbers
which are found against the terms in the body of the Subsection. They are
arranged in a classified order, each term having an individual number consisting
of seven digits in two parts, the first of three digits, the second of four. The first
three digits represent the number of the Part, Section and Subsection. The fourth
digit represents the group of terms, the fifth digit represents the subgroup of
terms, and the last two digits represent the place within the subgroup.
Alternative terms are given in medium type below the preferred terms with their
status indicated, e.g. deprecated. These terms are not individually numbered,
but are included in the index with a reference to the preferred term. Terms of
more than one word, e.g. turning stair are written in a direct style, not as stair,
turning. The inverted term is included in the index with a reference to the direct
term.
In the preparation of this document it was recognized that there are many types
of stair that are variants of those included, for example, types of turning stair and
quarter turn stair, half turn stair, three-quarter turn stair, double half turn
stairs. In the same way combinations of types of stair exist and are not included.
Similarly variations apply to steps, strings and other parts and characteristics of
stair. Only the most important commonly used terms are included.

ii

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BS 6100-1.3.4:1989

It has been considered necessary to repeat in this Subsection certain terms from
Section 1.0 General. Where this occurs, the definitions of such terms are
preceded by an asterisk (*).
Some of the definitions are not identical with those included for the same terms
as those given in Section 4.4 Carpentry and joinery. Where definitions differ,
the changes have been made due to international work related to BS 6100.
Italicized words in definitions indicate terms that are defined elsewhere in this
Subsection.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 5 and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.
BSI 08-1999

iii

iv

blank

BS 6100-1.3.4:1989

134 1 Base terms

No.

Term

Definition

134 1001

stair
staircase, stairway
deprecated

Construction that comprises a succession of horizontal stages (steps

or landings) that make it possible to pass on foot to other levels.

134 1002

circulation element

Construction for the movement of people or goods.

134 1003

circulation space

Space for the movement of persons, goods or vehicles.

134 2 Types of stair

134 2001

simply supported
stair

Stair in which both ends of each step are supported.

134 2002

cantilevered stair

Stair in which one end only of each step is supported.

134 2003

double cantilevered
stair

Stair in which the steps are supported only on a carriage usually

centrally positioned.

134 2004

straight stair

Stair in which the direction is the same throughout.

134 2005

turning stair

Stair in which the direction is changed.

134 2006

double return stair

Turning stair with one flight to a landing and a flight from each
side of that landing.

134 2007

dog-leg stair
dog-legged stair
deprecated

Turning stair of two flights with a half landing and without a

stairwell.

134 2008

open well stair

open newel stair
deprecated

Turning stair with a stairwell.

134 2009

geometrical stair

Turning stair in which the outside string and handrail continue in

an unbroken line with curved ends.

134 2010

winding stair

Turning stair that describes a helix with treads wider at the wall
string than at the outside string.

134 2011

spiral stair

Winding stair that describes a helix around a central column.

134 2012

helical stair

Winding stair that describes a helix around a stairwell.

134 2013

circular stair

Helical stair shaped as a circle on plan.

134 2014

elliptical stair

Helical stair shaped as an ellipse on plan.

134 2015

open rise stair

Stair in which the vertical spaces between successive treads are not
fully filled by risers.

134 2016

alternating tread
stair

Stair with winders with the wide end alternating from one side to
the other on consecutive treads.

134 3 Parts of stairs

134 3001

step

134 3002

tread

134 3003

riser

BSI 08-1999

Part of a stair that consists of a horizontal surface to support the

foot during ascent or descent and a vertical surface or space that
results from the change in level.
Horizontal component of a step.
Vertical component of a step between tread or landing and the tread
or landing above or below it.

BS 6100-1.3.4:1989

No.

Term

Definition

134 3004
134 3005

nosing
flight

Front edge of a tread.

Continuous series of steps between two landings.

134 3006

flier
parallel tread
deprecated

Step of uniform width in a straight portion of a flight.

134 3007

winder
tapered tread, wheel
step deprecated

Step with a tread tapered on plan that changes the direction of a

flight.

134 3008

winder flight

Small group of winders encompassing not more than a half turn.

134 3009

kite winder

Winder, the wider end of which fits into a corner of a stair enclosure.

134 3010

curtail step
scroll step deprecated

134 3011

round-end step

Step, at the bottom of a stair, that projects beyond the string and is
rounded to correspond to the rounded terminal or scroll of the
handrail.
Step, at the bottom of a stair, with a semicircular end that projects
in front and to the side of the newel.

134 3012

quadrant step

Step, at the bottom of a stair, the end of which is rounded in the

shape of a quarter circle, that projects in front of a newel.

134 3013

bullnose step

Step akin to quadrant step but that has a short length of straight
return back to the face of the newel.

134 3014

commode step

Step, at the bottom of a flight, the riser of which is bow fronted.

134 3015

Step, in a series of winders that do not radiate from a common

centre.

134 3016

dancing step
balanced step
deprecated
platform

134 3017

landing

Construction that provides a horizontal surface above the level of

an adjoining area.

134 3018

Platform or part of a floor structure at the end of a flight or ramp, or

to give access to a lift.
intermediate landing Landing between two floors.

134 3019

half landing

Intermediate landing at which a half turn is made.

134 3020

quarter landing

Intermediate landing at which a quarter turn is made.

134 3021

carriage

Component beneath steps to give them support.

134 3022

handrail

Component that provides guidance and support at hand level.

134 3023
134 3024

core rail
stair balustrade

Flat metal section that supports a handrail.

Safety barrier, with a handrail, for a stair.

134 3025

baluster

Vertical component, other then a die, of a balustrade.

134 3026
134 3027

Triangular infill beneath a string at a floor or landing.

Decorative feature, at the exposed end of a handrail that forms a
volute on plan.

134 3028

stair spandrel
scroll
returned end
deprecated
wreath

134 3029

newel

Post that supports the ends of one or more outside strings,

handrails or winders.

134 3030
134 3031

storey post
string
stringer deprecated

Newel of full storey height.

Component that supports the ends of steps or landings.

134 3032

wall string

String adjacent to a wall.

Curve formed in a continuous handrail or string to accommodate a

directional change.

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BS 6100-1.3.4:1989

No.

Term

Definition

134 3033

outside string
outer string deprecated
housed string
close string deprecated

String not adjacent to a wall.

134 3034

String with parallel top and bottom edges and the ends of steps
housed within its inner face.

134 3035

wreathed string

134 3036

cut string
open string deprecated

134 3037

cut and mitred string Cut string that has vertical edges mitred to receive the ends of the
risers.
bracketed string
deprecated

134 3038
134 3039

cut and bracketed

string
string capping

Cut string that has decorative brackets applied to its outer face and
mitred to the ends of the risers.
Piece of timber that is grooved on the underside to fit and cover the
upper part of a string and that may be further grooved on the upper
side to accept a balustrade.

134 3040

half newel

Post fixed to a wall at which a landing balustrade terminates.

Continuous string that follows the inclination of a stair and curves

on plan.
String, the upper edge of which is notched and shaped to support
the ends of steps.

134 4 Characteristics of stairs

134 4001

going
run deprecated

Horizontal distance between two consecutive nosings, measured on

the walking line.

134 4002

walking line

Notional line that indicates the average path of users of a stair.

134 4003

rise

Vertical distance between the horizontal upper surfaces of two

consecutive treads.

134 4004

nosing line

134 4005

pitch line

Construction line drawn on the inner face of a string that connects

the points formed by the junction of each riser face and tread
surface.
Notional line that touches the nosings of a flight on the walking
line.

134 4006

pitch

Angle between the pitch line and the horizontal plane.

134 4007

stair headroom

Minimum unobstructed vertical distance above the pitch line or

landing.

134 4008

clearance

Minimum unobstructed distance at right angles to the pitch line.

134 4009

balustrade height

Vertical distance between the top of a handrail and the pitch line or
landing.

134 4010

stair clear width

134 4011

tread width

Unobstructed minimum distance on plan at right angles to the

walking line of a stair.
Horizontal distance from the nosing to the rear edge of a tread.

134 4012

waist

Minimum dimension of a flight measured between the soffit and the

pitch line.

134 4013

stair easing

Curve in a stair to accommodate a gradual change of line.

134 5 Spaces for stairs

134 5001
134 5002
a Repeated

stairwell
stair enclosure

Space around which a stair is disposed.

reserved for accommodating a stair and the faces of the
walls limiting the volume.
aSpace

from Section 1.0.

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BS 6100-1.3.4:1989

134 6 Walkways and ramps

No.

Term

Definition

134 6001

walkway
catwalk deprecated

Construction that provides elevated lateral access.

134 6002

ramp

Length of inclined hard surface that provides access between two

levels.

BSI 08-1999

BS 6100-1.3.4:1989

Index
alternating tread stair 134 2016
balanced step 134 3015
baluster 134 3025
balustrade, stair 134 3024
balustrade height 134 4009
bracketed string 134 3037
bracketed string, cut and 134 1038
bullnose step 134 3013
cantilevered stair 134 2002
cantilevered stair, double 134 2003
capping, string 134 3039
carriage 134 3021
catwalk 134 6001
circular stair 134 2013
circulation element 134 1002
circulation space 134 1003
clear width, stair 134 4010
clearance 134 4008
close string 134 3034
commode step 134 3014
core rail 134 3023
curtail step 134 3010
cut and bracketed string 134 3038
cut and mitred string 134 3037
cut string 134 3036
dancing step 134 3015
dog-leg stair 134 2007
dog-legged stair 134 2007
double cantilevered stair 134 2003
double return stair 134 2006
easing, stair 134 4013
element, circulation 134 1002
elliptical stair 134 2014
enclosure, stair 134 5002
end, returned 134 3027
flier 134 3006
flight 134 3005
flight, winder 134 3008
geometrical stair 134 2009
going 134 4001
half landing 134 3019
half newel 134 3040
handrail 134 3022
headroom, stair 134 4007
height, balustrade 134 4009
helical stair 134 2012
housed string 134 3034
intermediate landing 134 3018
kite winder 134 3009
landing 134 3017
landing, half 134 3019
landing, intermediate 134 3018
landing, quarter 134 3020
line, nosing 134 4004
line, pitch 134 4005
line, walking 134 4002
mitred string, cut and 134 3037
newel 134 3029

BSI 08-1999

newel, half 134 3040

newel stair, open 134 2008
nosing 134 3004
nosing line 134 4004
open newel stair 134 2008
open rise stair 134 2015
open string 134 3036
open well stair 134 2008
outer string 134 3033
outside string 134 3033
parallel tread 134 3006
pitch 134 4006
pitch line 134 4005
platform 134 3016
post, storey 134 3030
quadrant step 134 3012
quarter landing 134 3020
rail core 134 3023
ramp 134 6002
return stair, double 134 2006
returned end 134 3027
rise 134 4003
rise stair, open 134 2015
riser 134 3003
round-end step 134 3011
run 134 4001
scroll 134 3027
scroll step 134 3010
simply supported stair 134 2001
space, circulation 134 1003
spandrel, stair 134 3026
spiral stair 134 2011
stair 134 1001
stair, alternating tread 134 2016
stair, cantilevered 134 2002
stair, circular 134 2013
stair, dog-leg 134 2007
stair, dog-legged 134 2007
stair, double cantilevered 134 2003
stair, double return 134 2006
stair, elliptical 134 2014
stair, geometrical 134 2009
stair, headroom 134 4007
stair, helical 134 2012
stair, open newel 134 2008
stair, open rise 134 2015
stair, open well 134 2008
stair, simply supported 134 2001
stair, spiral 134 2011
stair, straight 134 2004
stair, turning 134 2005
stair, winding 134 2010
stair balustrade 134 3024
stair clear width 134 4010
stair easing 134 4013
stair enclosure 134 5002
stair spandrel 134 3026
staircase 134 1001
stairway 134 1001

stairwell 134 5001

step 134 3001
step, balanced 134 3015
step, bullnose 134 3013
step, commode 134 3014
step, curtail 134 3010
step, dancing 134 3015
step, quadrant 134 3012
step, round-end 134 3011
step, scroll 134 3010
step, wheel 134 3007
storey post 134 3030
straight stair 134 2004
string 134 3031
string, bracketed 134 3037
string, capping 134 3039
string, close 134 3034
string, cut 134 3036
string, cut and bracketed 134 3038
string, cut and mitred 134 3037
string, housed 134 3034
string, open 134 3036
string, outer 134 3033
string, outside 134 3033
string, wall 134 3032
string, wreathed 134 3035
stringer 134 3031
supported stair, simply 134 2001
tapered tread 134 3007
tread 134 3002
tread, parallel 134 3006
tread stair, alternating 134 2016
tread, tapered 134 3007
tread width 134 4011
turning stair 134 2005
waist 134 4012
walking line 134 4002
walkway 134 6001
wall string 134 3032
well stair, open 134 2008
wheel step 134 3007
width stair clear 134 4010
width tread 134 4011
winder 134 3007
winder, kite 134 3009
winder flight 134 3008
winding stair 134 2010
wreath 134 3028
wreathed string 134 3035

BS 6100-1.3.4:
1989

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