MALAYSIAN MS 1064: PART 3:2003

STANDARD

GUIDE TO MODULAR COORDINATION IN

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BUILDINGS:
PART 3: COORDINATING SIZES AND
PREFERRED SIZES FOR STAIRS AND STAIR
OPENINGS
(FIRST REVISION)

ICS: 25.060.10
Descriptors: modular coordination, coordinating sizes, preferred sizes, stairs and stair openings

© Copyright

DEPARTMENT OF STANDARDS MALAYSIA

 DEVELOPMENT OF MALAYSIAN STANDARDS
The Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM) is the national standardisation
and accreditation body.

The main function of the Department is to foster and promote standards,

standardisation and accreditation as a means of advancing the national
economy, promoting industrial efficiency and development, benefiting the health
and safety of the public, protecting the consumers, facilitating domestic and
international trade and furthering international cooperation in relation to standards
and standardisation.

Malaysian Standards are developed through consensus by committees which

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comprise of balanced representation of producers, users, consumers and others

with relevant interests, as may be appropriate to the subject in hand. These
standards where appropriate are adoption of international standards. Approval of
a standard as a Malaysian Standard is governed by the Standards of Malaysia
Act 1996 (Act 549). Malaysian Standards are reviewed periodically. The use of
Malaysian Standards is voluntary except in so far as they are made mandatory by
regulatory authorities by means of regulations, local by-laws or any other similar
ways.

The Department of Standards appoints SIRIM Berhad as the agent to develop

Malaysian Standards. The Department also appoints SIRIM Berhad as the agent
for distribution and sale of Malaysian Standards.

For further information on Malaysian Standards, please contact:

Department of Standards Malaysia OR SIRIM Berhad

Level 1 & 2, Block C4, Parcel C 1, Persiaran Dato' Menteri
Federal Government Administrative Centre P.O. Box 7035, Section 2
62502 Putrajaya 40911 Shah Alam
Malaysia Selangor D.E.

Tel: 60 3 88858000 Tel: 60 3 5544 6000

Fax: 60 3 88885060 Fax: 60 3 5510 8095
http://www.dsm.gov.my http://www.sirim.my

Email: central@dsm.gov.my
 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

CONTENTS

Page

Committee representation……………………………………………………………… ii

Foreword………………………………………………………………………………….. iii

SECTION 1: GENERAL

1.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………... 1
1.1 Scope……………………………………………………………………………………… 1
1.2 Field of application……………………………………………………………………….. 1
1.3 Referenced documents …………………………………………………………………. 1
1.4 Definitions…………………………………………………………………….…………… 1
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SECTION 2: COORDINATING SIZES FOR STAIRS AND STAIR OPENINGS

2.1 Scope……………………………………………………………………………………… 3
2.2 Specifications……………..……………………………………………………………… 3
2.3 Applications……………………………………………………………………………….. 5

SECTION 3: PREFERRED SIZES FOR STAIRS AND STAIR OPENINGS

3.1 Scope……………………………………………………………………………………… 6
3.2 Specifications…………………………………………………………..………………... 6

Tables

1 Preferred sizes for stairs………………………………………………………………… 6

2 Preferred sizes for stair openings……………………………………………………… 6

Figures

1 Horizontal distances between coordinating planes…………………………………… 3

2 Vertical distances between coordinating planes ..……………………………………. 4
3 Application of the principle of modular coordination .………………………………… 5
4a Preferred sizes of stairs and stair openings for 2 800 mm storey height…………… 7
4b Preferred sizes of stairs and stair openings for 3 000 mm storey height…………… 8
4c Preferred sizes of stairs and stair openings for 3 500 mm storey height…………… 9

Appendix A Bibliography……………………………………………………………………….. 10

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

Committee representation

The Building and Civil Engineering Industry Standards Committee (ISC D) under whose supervision this Malaysian
Standard was developed, comprises representatives from the following organisations:

Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia

Chartered Institute of Building Malaysia
Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia
Department of Standards Malaysia
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia
Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia
Jabatan Perumahan Negara
Malaysian Timber Industry Board
Master Builders Association Malaysia
Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia
Suruhanjaya Tenaga
The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
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The development of this Malaysian Standard is under the supervision of the following organisations of the Technical
Committee on Modular Coordination:

Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia

Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (Secretariat)

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers

International Islamic University Malaysia

Institution of Surveyors Malaysia

Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia

Jabatan Perumahan Negara

Malaysian Timber Industry Board

Master Builders Association Malaysia

Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia

SIRIM Berhad

The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia

Universiti Putra Malaysia

Universiti Teknologi MARA

The Working Group on Coordinating Sizes and Preferred Sizes for Stairs and Stair Openings, which developed this
Malaysian Standard consists of the following representatives from the following organisations:

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers

Jabatan Perumahan Negara
Malaysian Timber Industry Board
Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia
The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi MARA

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

FOREWORD

This Malaysian Standard was developed by the Working Group on Coordinating Sizes and
Preferred Sizes for Stairs and Stair Openings, supervised by the Technical Committee on
Modular Coordination under the authority of the Building and Civil Engineering Industry
Standards Committee. The development of this standard was carried out by the Construction
Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) which is the Standards-Writing Organisation
(SWO) appointed by SIRIM Berhad to develop standards for the construction industry.

This Malaysian Standard is the revision of MS 1064: Part 13:1988, Coordinating dimensions
for stairs and stair openings.

Major modifications featured in this revised standard include:

i) Revision of the coordinating sizes; and

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ii) Addition of preferred sizes.

MS 1064 consists of the following parts under the general title, “Guide to modular
coordination in buildings”:

Part 1: General principles

Part 2: Storey and room heights
Part 3: Coordinating sizes and preferred sizes for stairs and stair openings
Part 4: Coordinating sizes and preferred sizes for doorsets
Part 5: Coordinating sizes and preferred sizes for windowsets
Part 6: Coordinating sizes and preferred sizes for rigid flat sheets
Part 7: Coordinating sizes and preferred sizes for tiles
Part 8: Coordinating sizes and preferred sizes for masonry bricks and blocks
Part 9: Coordinating sizes and preferred sizes for cabinets
Part 10: Coordinating sizes and preferred sizes for reinforced concrete components

This Malaysian Standard cancels and replaces MS 1064: Part 13:1988.

Compliance with a Malaysian Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal
obligations.

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

GUIDE TO MODULAR COORDINATION IN BUILDINGS:

PART 3: COORDINATING SIZES AND PREFERRED SIZES FOR
STAIRS AND STAIR OPENINGS
(FIRST REVISION)

SECTION 1: GENERAL

1.0 Introduction

The objective of this Malaysian Standard is to standardise dimensions of stairs and stair openings
for the purposes of rationalising design, construction and assembly of building components in
order to facilitate industrial production. The components considered in this standard are the stairs
and the corresponding openings, for which are given the coordinating sizes of length and width.
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1.1 Scope

This Malaysian Standard gives general principles for coordinating dimensions of stairs and stair
openings in residential, commercial and office and institutional use, and which will fill coordinating
spaces in dimensionally coordinated buildings.

1.2 Field of application

This standard applies to stairs and stair openings for use in the construction of all types of
buildings, with particular reference to those constructed on the principles of modular coordination
in accordance with MS 1064: Part 1.

1.3 Referenced documents

The following referenced documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this Malaysian Standards. For dated references, where there are
subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However,
parties to agreements based on this Malaysian Standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the referenced documents. For undated
references, the latest edition of the publication referred to applies.

ISO 1803, Building construction - Tolerances - Expression of dimensional accuracy - Principles

and terminology.

ISO 3880, Building construction - Stairs - Vocabulary.

MS 1064: Part 1, Guide to modular coordination in buildings: Part 1: General principles.

1.4 Definitions

For the purposes of this standard, the definitions given in MS 1064: Part 1 and ISO 3880, shall
apply in addition to the following:

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

1.4.1 Modular storey height

Vertical dimension between two modular floor planes of two consecutive floors.

1.4.2 Modular room height

Vertical dimensions within one storey between the modular plane of the upper surface of floor
covering and the modular plane of the finished ceiling.

1.4.3 Modular floor height

Vertical dimensions of the modular floor zone between the modular plane of the upper surface of
floor covering and the modular plane of the finished ceiling.

1.4.4 Storey heights (floor to floor)

The vertical dimensions between the controlling reference planes related to finished floor level of
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two consecutive floors.

1.4.5 Room heights (floor to ceiling)

The vertical dimensions between the two controlling reference planes separated by one storey,
the first one being related to the finished ceiling level.

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

SECTION 2: COORDINATING SIZES FOR STAIRS AND STAIR OPENINGS

2.1 Scope

This section specifies the coordinating sizes for stairs and stair openings to be used in buildings,
which will fill coordinating spaces in dimensionally coordinated buildings.

2.2 Specifications

2.2.1 Horizontal coordinating dimensions

The horizontal distances between coordinating planes will be multiples of 3M (n x 3M) as a first
preference and multiples of 1M (n x M) as a second preference as shown in Figure 1. Sub-
modular dimensions are allowed to suit particular requirements.
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Flight of stair

dn
n x 3M
(n x M)
up

n x 3M
(n x M)

Figure 1. Horizontal distances between coordinating sizes

Coordinating planes define the boundary of the stair opening. Enclosing wall and floor heads
should not be built beyond the boundary defined by the coordinating planes.

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

2.2.2 Vertical coordinating dimensions

The vertical distances between coordinating planes shall be multiples of 1M.

The coordinating planes for location of floors shall be related to modular storey height as shown
in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c.
Structural floor level

Modular storey
height
nxM

Structural floor level

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Figure 2a. Vertical coordinating sizes for straight flight stairs

Structural floor level

Modular storey
height
nxM

Structural floor level

Figure 2b. Vertical coordinating sizes for straight flight stairs with intermediate landing

Structural floor level

Modular storey
height
nxM
Structural
Structural floor
floor level
level

Figure 2c. Vertical coordinating sizes for scissors stair

Figure 2. Vertical distances between coordinating planes

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

2.3 Applications

The following examples as shown in Figure 3 are given to illustrate the applications of the
principles of modular coordination for different types of stairs.

Figure 3a. Application I Figure 3b. Application II

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Figure 3c. Application III Figure 3d. Application IV

Figure 3e. Application V

Figure 3. Application of the principle of modular coordination

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

SECTION 3: PREFERRED SIZES FOR STAIRS AND STAIR OPENINGS

3.1 Scope

This section specifies series of preferred sizes for stairs and stair openings to be used for
residential buildings.

3.2 Specifications

The preferred sizes are categorised for various floor heights commonly used for residential
buildings. Sizes mentioned are overall nominal dimensions, which shall account for joints and
tolerances. The joint gap thickness, where applicable shall be specified by the manufacturer to
suit these applications.
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3.2.1 Stairs

The dimensions of preferred sizes for stairs are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Preferred sizes for stairs

Storey height Riser (R) Thread (T)

(mm) (mm) (mm)
2 800 175 250

3 000 167 250

3 500 175 250

3.2.2 Stair openings

The corresponding dimensions of preferred sizes of stair openings are shown in Table 2. They
are for both in-situ and precast constructions as shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, where all
dimensions are in mm.

Table 2. Preferred sizes for stair openings

Storey height Width of opening (+ escape stair) Length of opening (+ escape stair)
(mm) (mm) (mm)
2 800 1 800 (+ 300) 3 900 (+ 900)

3 000 1 800 (+ 300) 4 200 (+ 900)

3 500 1 800 (+ 300) 4 500 (+ 900)

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

Radius of For enclosed

escape (2 100 for fire escape) escape stair
(2 100 for fire escape)

dn

up
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Plan

Landing

Section
Dimensions in millimetres

Figure 4a. Preferred sizes of stairs and stair openings for 2 800 mm storey height

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

Radius of For enclosed

escape (2 100 for fire escape) escape stair

dn

up

Plan
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Landing

Dimensions in millimetres
Section

Figure 4b. Preferred sizes of stairs and stair opening for 3 000 mm storey height

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

Radius of For enclosed

escape escape stair
(2 100 for fire escape)

dn

up

Plan
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Landing

Dimensions in millimetres
Section

Figure 4c. Preferred sizes of stairs and stair opening for 3 500 mm storey height

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 MS 1064: PART 3:2003

Appendix A
(informative)

Bibliography

ISO 2848:1984, Building construction - Modular coordination - Principles and rules

ISO3880/1-1977, Building construction - Stairs - Vocabulary – Part 1

Modular Design Guide (Third Edition 2000), Implementation of Modular Coordination in Building
in Malaysia, Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia
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Malaysia Uniform Building By-law 1984 (All amendments up to February, 1994)

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 Acknowledgements

Puan Dang Anom Md. Zin (TC Chairperson), Ir Dr Mohd. Saleh Jaafar (WG Chairman), Encik
Hassan Abdullah (TC Secretary), Ir Tan Geem Eng (WG Secretary), Encik Yap Chee Lin,
Encik Chew Nane Cheong, Encik Chong Lee Siong, Puan Zaharah Yahya, Prof Madya
Norwina Mohd. Nawawi, Puan Zawidatul Asma Ghazali, Encik Aminudin Abd Aziz, Ir Hamdan
Uda Mohd. Esa, Ir Wong Loo Min, Ir Tan Teck Eng, Ir Elias Ismail, Encik Ling Pen Ting, Encik
Lee Choon Bin, Puan Mahsuri Mat Dris, Encik Masran Saruwono, Ir Dr Mohd Saleh Jaafar,
Puan Zainora Zainal, Dr Azizah Salim, Puan Mahsuri Mat Dris, Encik Masran Saruwono,
Encik Lim Peng Keang, Ir Tu Yong Eng.
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